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Human Trafficking of Children

high school students attending school — Resources and support for children in San Diego County

The federal Department of Homeland Security and Department of Education report trafficking victims can be adults and youth of all genders, U.S. citizens, or foreign nationals. Human trafficking can involve school-age youths, particularly those made vulnerable by unstable family situations, or who have little or no social support. The children at risk are not just high school students – studies show that the average age a child is trafficked into the commercial sex trade is between 11 and 14 years old.

The San Diego County Office of Education (SDCOE) supports school district offices, parents, and community-based agencies in issues related to human trafficking of children by providing training, staff development, technical assistance, and consultation.

Community-Based Student Referrals for Services

Human Trafficking Service Providers

National Human Trafficking Hotline

Phone: 1-888-373-7888
Available by text (233733) and chat (24/7)

San Diego Youth Services STARS (SurvivingTogether, Achieving & Reaching for Success)

This program designed for youth ages 13-24 who have experienced the Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children (CSEC) and/or domestic human trafficking. Services include case management, support groups, mental health services, Independent Living Skills, detention outreach, and community training.

Phone: 619-521-2250 x3804 or 1-619-993-8050

Instagram: @sdyouthservices

Download Referral Form

San Diego Youth Services I CARE

This program supports youth up to the age of 21 who are at-risk for or victims of commercial sexual exploitation by providing emotional support and promoting healing. Mental health clinic provides therapy and psychiatry services. Drop-in center services include case management, education, and employment support, and family and peer support. Services also support caregivers.

Phone: 619-521-2250 x3816

Instagram: @sdyouthservices

Download Referral Form

La Maestra: The International Human Trafficking Program

Serves victims of trafficking, labor, and sex of any age, gender, and country of origin. The program provides medical, legal, and mental health services. Case management includes financial assistance (for international victims only), basic needs, bus passes, food, housing assistance, and classes.

Phone: 1-619-564-7010

Instagram: @lamaestrachc

North County Lifeline Project LIFE

This advocacy program provides emergency housing and residential coordination, case management, mental health services, peer support, and victim outreach and advocacy to men, women, and LGBTQ-identifying individuals impacted by CSEC and sex and labor trafficking. Serves all San Diego County.

Phone: 1-760-842-6526

Instagram: @nclifeline

Dating and Sexual Violence Service Providers

National DV Crisis Intervention, Information, and Referral

Phone: 1-800-799-SAFE (7233)
Available chat and text “START” (24/7)

Center for Community Solutions

Phone: 1-888-385-4657 (available 24/7)

Instagram: @ccs_sd

Safe Family Services

San Diego Youth Services - contact Program Manager Nichole Jones at 619-221-8600 x2285 or email njones@sdyouthservices.org (preferred method)

Instagram: @sdyouthservices

Strong Hearts Native Helpline

Phone: 1-844-7NATIVE (762-8483); available 24/7

Instagram: @strongheartsdv

San Diego Regional Guide to Domestic Violence and Sexual Violence Resources

Download Guide (PDF)

The Teen Dating Violence (TDV) Committee of the San Diego Domestic Violence Council is excited to share the following resources to our school communities:

Teen Dating Violence Awareness & Prevention Month 2022 Toolkit- This toolkit is intended to support schools in planning and implementing an awareness and prevention initiative.
The TDV Committee’s newly developed Best Practices Guide for TDV Prevention and Intervention for Schools- This concise guide provides educators with the warning signs of TDV and how they may appear on a school campus, helpful tips on how to start the conversation and community resources for support

Health and Mental Health Care Providers

Access and Crisis Line

Hotline: 1-888-724-7240 (available 24/7)

TDD / TTY Dial 711

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline

Phone: 1-800-273-TALK (8255) or text “MHA” to 741-741

CA Youth Crisis Line

Phone: 1-800-843-5200; available 24/7; chat and text available

CA Peer Run Warm Line

Phone: 1-855-845-7415; available 24/7 (non-emergency)

Runaway and Homeless Youth Programs

National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC)

Phone: 1-800-THE-LOST (1-800-843-5678)

CyberTipline.org

Instagram: @missingkids

Youth Emergency Shelter Hotline

San Diego Youth Services

Phone: 1-866-PLACE-2-STAY (752-2327) available 24/7

Instagram: @sdyouthservices

LGBT Safe S.T.A.Y. Program

Emergency Overnight Housing for ages 18-24

Phone: 619-694-6182; available 7 nights a week; 9 p.m. – 7 a.m.

Instagram: @lgbtcenter

Unicorn Homes

North County LGBTQ Resource Center

Phone: 760-994-1690

Instagram: @nclgbtqresourcecenter

The House Drop-In Center

North County Lifeline

Phone: 760-842-6285

Instagram: @nclifeline

Substance Use Prevention Programs

Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, and Questioning, and Two-Spirit (LGBTQ2S+) Programs and Safe Spaces

The Trevor Project

Hotline: 1-866-488-7386; Text and Chat (available 24/7)

Instagram: @trevorproject

The Center

Instagram: @lgbtcenter

Hillcrest Youth Center – HYC@thecentersd.org; Tues – Fri, 3 – 7 p.m.; Instagram: @hillcrestyouthcenter

South Bay Youth Center – Southbayyouth@thecentersd.org; Wed – Fri, 3 – 7 p.m.; Instagram: @southbayyouthcenter

North County LGBTQ Resource Center

Phone: 760-994-1690

Email: relle.goan@gmail.com

Instagram: @projectyouthnorthcounty

Our Safe Place

San Diego Youth Services

Phone: 619-525-9903 available M-F, 9 a.m. – 6 p.m.; evenings and weekends by appointment

Drop-In Center locations throughout the county

Instagram: @oursafeplacenorth

Youth Workforce Development Programs

Youth Organizations

Mentor and Peer Support Programs

Project A.W.A.R.E.

Phone: 760-828-7002

Instagram: @projectawareenterprises

Resilience Community Mentoring Program

Phone: 619-310-6164

Instagram: @youth_empowerment

I.M.A.G.I.N.E. – Youth Empower San Diego

Phone: 619-310-6164

Instagram: @youth_empowerment

More to Explore

Resource Guide Downloads (English and Español)

Additional Resources

For Schools

Sample CSEC Recommended Protocols for Schools - We are providing these recommended protocols as a tool to assist our school districts. Please note the protocols should be adapted to accurately reflect district practice, as appropriate. This document provides information on:
- Risk factors and recommended protocol for students who meet the criteria
- Recommended protocol for suspected CSEC recruitment or exploitation of students
- Recommended protocol for suspected victims of CSEC
- Recommended protocol for confirmed victims of CSEC

Human Trafficking in America’s Schools, 2nd Edition (2021) - This guide provides:
- Awareness of the current prevalence of child trafficking and the forms it takes;
- Information on risk factors and indicators of child trafficking;
- Details about three prevention tiers and the implications for schools’ role in addressing child trafficking;
- Information on how professional development of school staff and prevention education for students and families can reduce the likelihood of trafficking; and
- Details on how policies, protocols, and partnerships with other community sectors can help prevent trafficking.
I am Jasmine Strong for schools
Polaris

For Parents

I am Jasmine Strong for parents and caregivers
Polaris

School-Based Prevention Education Programs

The San Diego Trafficking Prevention Collective brings together three anti-trafficking programs: kNOw MORE!, Project Roots, and PROTECT to decrease the number of children being trafficked in San Diego. The collective combines education and advocacy with targeted, interactive interventions to protect children from exploitation. The collective is sponsored by the District Attorney’s Office.

PROTECT (Prevention Organized to Educate Children on Trafficking) - Human trafficking prevention education program that teaches students and teachers the signs and tactics of traffickers. PROTECT provides educators with online training and downloadable elementary, middle, and high school curricula. Contact Katy Randall at KatyR@3sgf.org.
donb@3sgf.org.
kNOw MORE! - This is a student-centered human trafficking awareness and prevention curriculum for middle and high school children. It provides interactive multimedia training for students and their families. Through role-play, discussion and information, participants develop techniques to recognize the red flags and vulnerabilities around trafficking. Contact Kim Berry Jones at kimberryjones@pointloma.edu.
Project Roots - An after-school intervention that aims to build the resilience of vulnerable children ages 8-12 through the provision of group mentoring and coping skills within a safe and trusted environment. Contact projectroots@globalcommunities.org.

triangle SDCOE emblem

main contacts

Mara Madrigal-Weiss
Executive Director,
Student Wellness and School Culture
858-298-2068

Charisma De Los Reyes
Project Specialist,
Student Wellness and School Culture
858-298-2098

Olga Hernandez
Program Clerk,
Student Wellness and School Culture
858-298-2146

Violeta Mora
Project Specialist,
Student Wellness and School Culture
858-298-2099

Amanda Holt
Administrative Assistant III,
Student Wellness and School Culture
858-298-2075