There has been a drastic increase in the number of human trafficking cases reported across the world and throughout in the Bay Area and, according to law enforcement officials, the coronavirus pandemic may be to blame.
Economic instability and social disruption during the pandemic have caused many people to become more vulnerable to the dangerous tactics traffickers use to exploit them.
Contra Costa County Deputy District Attorney Dana Filkowski said that two of the driving forces behind crimes of sex exploitation are "greed and economic necessity." She said the COVID-19 pandemic has certainly made these issues "even more pronounced."
Filkowski warned that trafficking is happening mostly online, a concern for parents with kids in remote learning.
"Parents should have a conversation with kids about who they’re talking to online," said Filkowski. "Not everybody is who they pretend to be online."
A statewide action has resulted in a total of 450 arrests and 39 rescues, but there is still a big risk.
"We’re still seeing girls standing on street corners, in a busy area of our county where we have a problem with that, and we’re still seeing advertisements online for commercial sex activity," said Filkowski.
Anyone who suspects a trafficking situation is advised to call the Human Trafficking Tip Line at 925-957-8658.
