SAN FRANCISCO (KCBS RADIO) – People gathered at St. Anthony’s Parish campus in Oakland, Calif., Tuesday for the International Day of Prayer Against Human Trafficking – an issue that hits close to home this.
According to the Diocese of Oakland, there has been increased crime near the Catholic school “resulting from the trafficking of young men and women drawn into prostitution.”
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It went on to say that “this activity often takes place in front of a K-8 school, exposing large numbers of children, families, caregivers, teachers, staff and visitors to increased risks to their safety.”
Rosa Vargas, identified by ABC 7 as a parent of a girl who attends St. Anthony’s, told the outlet that she often sees pimps and sex workers in the area. She has even seen naked women in the area, according to the station.
Oakland Councilmember Noel Gallo also spoke to ABC 7 about the issue as he drove down E. 15th Street. He said that young women are often dropped off from vehicles with out-of-state plates.
“We’ve seen up to 20 women walking up and down this street,” Gallo said. “Young, young girls.”
When asked how young, Gallo said that girls as young as 15 or 16 who may be sex workers have been seen in the area. Although ABC 7 said that this issue has been present in the area for decades, recent construction has pushed the apparent sex workers into more residential neighborhoods.
According to a statement the Oakland Police Department provided to ABC 7’s I-Team, “officers conduct high visibility patrolling; instead of enforcement actions. The hope is that the increased presence in different areas by these officers deter activity and does not revictimize those who are victims of human trafficking.”
Furthermore, the department said “OPD also utilizes different programs such as the Dear John letter. These letters are formed from citizens reporting license plates in high crime and loitering areas in the city of Oakland. This letter is written to advise and not accuse the driver of participating in illegal activities, but informing the owner that the car was spotted in known prostitution areas.”
Going forward, city officials also plan to meet and discuss additional patrols near the school.
“As a community, we must do everything in our power to help these trafficked individuals find their way out of exploitation, while ensuring the resources needed to protect and safeguard Oakland neighborhoods,” said the Diocese of Oakland.
Bishop Michael C. Barber was scheduled to be in attendance at the prayer vigil Tuesday, according to an event notice.
An estimated 6.3 million people are in situations of forced commercial sexual exploitation around the globe at any point in time, according to statistics cited by the U.S. Department of State.
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