January is National Human Trafficking Prevention Month
January 16, 2025
Oakland, CA— Today, in recognition of January being National Human Trafficking Prevention Month, the Alameda County District Attorney’s Office Human Exploitation Assistance and Response Team (H.E.A.R.T.) led a public awareness walk, community forum, and resource fair in the Little Saigon Neighborhood, bringing attention to the problem of human trafficking in the area.
The first annual event, entitled “Breaking the Chains,” opened with a walk through the community, beginning at International Boulevard and 7th Avenue and continuing into the surrounding area. Informational flyers were handed out to people in the neighborhood—a part of town widely known as a frequent human trafficking hub, commonly referred to as “the Blade.”
The event included a panel discussion at the Clinton Community Center featuring personal testimonials and stories of survival, information about resources available for those in need of help, and a conversation focused on ways that Oaklanders can take action to end the illegal sex slave trade.
“This is an example of how the Alameda County District Attorney’s Office and community-centered groups and stakeholders are continuing our united effort to raise awareness of human trafficking, show victims that we care, that there is help available, and offer a way out,” said Chief Assistance District Attorney Royl Roberts.
“Breaking the Chains” was co-sponsored by the East Bay Asian Youth Council and Trybe.
The list of Alameda County government agencies and nonprofit service providers that participated in the resource fair includes: the Alameda County District Attorney’s Office (ACDAO) Family Justice Center, ACDAO Victim & Witness Assistance Division, A Sista’s Touch, Believing Responding to, Advocating for, Validating and Empowering (BRAVE), Banteay Srei, Children’s Hospital Oakland, East Bay Asian Youth Center (EBAYC), Oakland Department of Violence Prevention (DVP), Dream Youth Clinic, Family Violence Law Center (FVLC), Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Highland General Hospital, Huckleberry Youth Programs, Justice At Last, Love Never Fails, Lincoln Families, Motivational Inspiring Supporting, and Serving Sexually Exploited Youth (MISSEY), Oakland Police Department, Oakland Unified School District (OUSD), Shade, TRYBE, Tri-Valley Haven, Voices of the Bay Area, West Coast Children’s Clinic, Eden I&R/211 Alameda County, HEPPAC, Women Organized to Respond to Life-Threatening Diseases, and BOSS.
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Contact: damedia@acgov.org
The Alameda County District Attorney’s Office (ACDAO) is one of the largest prosecutor’s offices in the State of California. Our office receives more than 40,000 cases presented by law enforcement for charging each year. The ACDAO has 9 locations, 150 Attorneys, 35 Victim-Witness Advocates, 75 Inspectors, and 130 Operations Staff Members who are committed to administering justice for every person who lives, works, or plays in Alameda County, no matter their race, gender, religion, sexual orientation, income, or zip code.