The Bay Area is one of the more affluent places in the United States. It is not the kind of place people would expect to be at risk in. However, just like anywhere else, the Bay has its share of dangers; they are simply more hidden.
The Bay Area is not an untouchable zone. Human trafficking happens, and it is a prevalent issue. It is important to be aware of the risks and for people to understand how to keep themselves safe.
Retired law enforcement professional Brian Philip oversaw a human trafficking enforcement unit. He shares his knowledge on this issue that many people are unaware of.
“It’s a very prevalent issue. A lot of times it goes unnoticed because it’s kind of hidden, or it’s treated discreetly. But between high profile events that come through, like the Super Bowl and FIFA and soccer events, the trafficking can increase where you are going to see it. But then we have things like illegal massage parlors and things that are disguised as legitimate businesses. And what they’re doing is trafficking young women, or women in general, for sexual exploitation,” said Philip.
Philip highlights why human trafficking is such an unknown issue. He shares, “I think it’s one of those crimes that isn’t in the forefront of society. It doesn’t make it on the news, it’s kind of in the background. … People are focusing more on things like shooting, stabbings, fires, things that capture people’s attention, that are dramatic. When in the background, you have a ton of different victims that aren’t seen or even known.”
In a world becoming increasingly online, the risk of human trafficking only grows. Social media is one of the places where victims are extremely vulnerable.
“With all the social media that’s out there, and the way people are putting themselves online, they think it’s innocent, and most of the time it is. However, there are predators out there, and there are people that are very manipulative. They can take something like a simple post and reach out to somebody and manipulate them into a life that turns out to be basically a trafficking situation,” Philip said.
It is crucial to understand that human trafficking can happen to anyone. Just because this issue is not addressed often does not mean that it never happens. It can happen in unexpected places, and it is important to know what to look out for.
When asked what he wished every teen girl knew about human trafficking, Philip said, “That’s it’s very prevalent. That it can affect anybody. It can affect anything. Sometimes, you have to understand when there is a significant change in a friend of yours, or they start to hang out with a different crowd, or there is a dramatic change in the way they look, the way they act, the way they spend their money. You have to intervene early so that they can get out of that situation. Because once they get into that situation, it’s very dangerous to get out. So understanding what it looks like and where it happens, and how to protect yourself online is very very important.”
Clinical psychologist and professor, Dr. Estassi shares her insight on the topic, as someone who has worked with human trafficking victims.
“Predators are really smart – they don’t start by being mean or being abusive. They’ll definitely try to make that person feel very special, and beautiful, and wanted, and desired, and buy them things that they’ve always wanted that maybe their parents or caregivers said no to. So they treat them really well, and buy them lots of stuff. … They move children around, and make them more and more isolated from friends, family, and loved ones. And then, they usually get them hooked on drugs, and the abusive pattern begins. Now that they are isolated, they become completely dependent on these people. So it is very much a physiological abusive cycle. It starts with more of a honeymoon phase and then turns into a lot of violence. And a lot of kids who are in it want to get out, but at that point, they can’t,” Estassi shared.
Human trafficking happens all over the world. However, many Bay Area residents do not understand just how close to home this issue takes place.
“I want teens to know that Oakland is actually the major hub for sex trafficking in the Bay Area, and California is ranked as one of the highest states. 80% of California sex trafficking cases occur in three regions: The Bay Area, Los Angeles, and San Diego. But Oakland is the major port of CSEC (Commercial Exploitation of Children). It is the top human trafficking hotspot in the United States. I also want kids to know that these aren’t girls from other countries, this can happen to any child regardless of gender, socio economic status, sexual orientation, or ethnicity. The average age of entry into child sex trafficking is 12–14 years old. This often happens to kids in our own backyards,” said Estassi.
It is easy to feel invincible. Life has so many exciting things to offer, and it is not difficult to get swept away in all of the lively activities. This is especially true in one’s younger years; teens often develop a vast sense of security, believing that nothing bad will ever happen. However, no one has total immunity to the dangers in life. It is crucial to always be aware and observant. And while no one should live their life in constant fear, it is necessary to be cautious, and have a healthy balance. While teens are embracing their growing freedom, it is important for them to simultaneously keep their eyes open, be aware of their surroundings, and speak up if a situation feels unsafe.
