San Rafael, CA -- The Marin County Human Trafficking Task Force is an initiative aimed at addressing the numerous forms of labor and sexual exploitation affecting the lives of children and adults in our community. The Task Force is co-chaired by District Attorney Edward Berberian and Emily Sims, Director of West Marin Advocacy.
On September 18, the Pacific Sun featured a story titled “Parlor Tricks” that focused on San Rafael’s massage parlors and the numerous code violations on record to-date. The article briefly mentioned the possibility of human trafficking taking place in local massage parlors. The Marin County Human Trafficking Task Force is working to identify and investigate criminal activity and to assist victims of this crime.
The District Attorney’s Office is enforcing Senate Bill 1193 (SB 1193), which requires massage parlors, bars, adult-oriented businesses, airports, transit terminals and employment agencies to post information about human trafficking, including the hotline to the National Human Trafficking Resource Center: 1-888-373-7888. Inspectors from the District Attorney’s Office are in the process of meeting with business owners to explain the law and to provide posters in English, Spanish, Chinese, Vietnamese and Tagalog. (The first violation resulting from not posting is a fine of $500. The second violation will result in a fine of $1,000.)
On November 3, a countywide community awareness campaign will begin, featuring posters at 40 local bus shelters. Information will include common warning signs and indicators of human trafficking, online and toll-free victim assistance referrals.
Victims of human trafficking may look like many of the people you see every day. Community members can assist by looking for the following warning signs:
● Evidence of being controlled
● Evidence of an inability to move or leave job
● Bruises or other signs of battering
● Fear or depression
● Non-English speaking
● Lack of passport, immigration or identification documentation
If you think you have evidence of human trafficking taking place in our community, call the Marin County District Attorney’s Office at (415) 473-6450. In an emergency, dial 911.