Executive Summary
- The Orange County Human Trafficking Task Force reports the average age of trafficking victims is 14.
- Children are currently the fastest-growing demographic of victims in the county.
- Survivors describe "Romeo Pimp" tactics that exploit economic and emotional vulnerabilities.
- Higher Ground Youth Services has implemented prevention education in 35 local schools.
SANTA ANA, Calif. — Data released by the Orange County Human Trafficking Task Force indicates that children have become the fastest-growing demographic of human trafficking victims in the region, with the average age of entry into exploitation now identified as 14 years old. This statistic underscores the urgency behind ongoing outreach operations concentrated along corridors such as Beach Boulevard.
The Task Force’s findings reveal a concerning trend in victim demographics, pointing to increased targeting of minors. According to the data, traffickers often exploit vulnerabilities such as family instability or economic hardship to lure young victims. Survivors and advocates emphasize that prevention and early education are critical components in addressing this shift.
April Casillas and Mariah Marple-Sewe, both survivors of sex trafficking, conduct regular street outreach in Santa Ana to assist current victims. Marple-Sewe described the grooming tactics employed by traffickers, noting that at age 18, she was targeted by a so-called "Romeo Pimp." She stated that the trafficker utilized false promises of a romantic relationship and financial support during a time when her mother was in a coma and the family faced eviction.
"I just thought, like, wow, someone noticed me," Marple-Sewe said, recounting how the trafficker leveraged her vulnerability before forcing her into commercial sexual exploitation at a strip club and subsequently moving her to a "trap house" and then to Las Vegas. She noted that even after escaping the physical trafficking situation, her exploiters attempted to commit identity theft by filing taxes in her name.
To combat the recruitment of minors, local organizations have intensified prevention efforts within the school system. Higher Ground Youth Services reported educating students at 35 different schools across Orange County between 2023 and 2024 regarding the indicators and dangers of trafficking. Katrina Salenieks, assistant coordinator of the human trafficking prevention team at Higher Ground, stated, "Prevention is so integral to human trafficking because if we don’t catch a lot of these kids before they ever become trafficked, for a lot of them there’s not that much hope."
Societal Impact and Prevention Strategy
The demographic data provided by the Orange County Human Trafficking Task Force suggests a significant public safety challenge that extends beyond traditional law enforcement interdiction. The lowering average age of victims indicates that traffickers are aggressively targeting the youth population through psychological manipulation and grooming rather than immediate force. Consequently, the operational focus for community stakeholders is shifting toward upstream intervention, prioritizing educational programs and mentorship to inoculate vulnerable youth against grooming tactics before exploitation begins.
