Ventura County Human Trafficking Task Force

Description of project / program

The Ventura County Human Trafficking Task Force (VCHTTF) was established in 2019 and is an Enhanced Collaborative Model with two leading agencies. Interface Children & Family Services is the leader of the Victim Service efforts, and the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office is the leader of the Law Enforcement Efforts. Our multidisciplinary anti-human trafficking task force supports and encourages a collaborative effort among local and federal law enforcement, prosecutors, victim service providers, and community partners.

Since 2004, the U.S. Department of Justice has provided federal funding to support the multidisciplinary task force approach. VCHTTF upholds the intent of the Trafficking Victims Protection Act (TVPA) by ensuring that all trafficking victims are identified and receive access to a comprehensive array of supportive services, and that the crimes of human trafficking are successfully investigated and prosecuted at the local, state, tribal, and federal level. Not only does the task force focus on identifying human trafficking, serving victims, and investigating and building cases but it also engages in other activities as well, such as outreach, awareness, and state advocacy. These types of activities can serve a role in supporting the core work of identifying, serving, and building cases.

The goals and objectives of the Ventura County Human Trafficking Task Force are to:

  1. Identify victims of both sex and labor trafficking using a victim centered and culturally responsible approach
  2. Proactively investigate and prosecute human trafficking cases at the local, state, and federal level.
  3. Address individualized service needs through a comprehensive, vetted network of service providers.
  4. Provide training and awareness events in the community to increase the public’s education on sex and labor trafficking, to ensure the imagery, trainings and services provided and used in the community are trauma informed and consistent with the mission vision and values of the Task Force.

There is an array of services that are provided and offered to victims and survivors of human trafficking both adults and minors under the task force (please see Survivor Services). The task force provides services that are trauma informed, victim centered and culturally responsive, ensuring that survivors are respected, heard, and met where they are using the Cycle of Change approach.

Human Trafficking Advocates are available to respond out to law enforcement 24/7 whenever there is a potential victim identified, to ensure they are informed of their rights, provided basic needs, and offered services.

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