Executive Summary
- OCHTTF data identifies 14-year-olds as the fastest-growing group of human trafficking victims in Orange County.
- The “Know More, Do Better 4.0” program utilizes Vanguard University students to educate junior high students on safety.
- The task force includes the Orange County District Attorney’s Office, Waymakers, and various law enforcement agencies.
- Nonprofit partner Kherut provides job training and employment for survivors through its catering service, Savor.
The Orange County Human Trafficking Task Force (OCHTTF) is intensifying its community outreach and educational initiatives in response to data indicating that 14-year-olds represent the fastest-growing demographic of human trafficking victims in the region. Established in 2004 in partnership with the nonprofit organization Waymakers, the task force is coordinating a multi-agency response to combat exploitation through targeted awareness programs and survivor support systems.
According to the OCHTTF, the coalition is comprised of various nonprofit agencies, law enforcement bodies, the Orange County District Attorney’s Office, and faith-based organizations. Service clubs, including Soroptimist International, Rotary, and Kiwanis, also provide logistical and community support. The task force holds public monthly meetings at Waymakers’ offices in Irvine to coordinate strategies and disseminate information regarding current trafficking trends, specifically the recruitment of vulnerable youth through internet contacts and social manipulation.
To address the rising victimization of junior high school students, the task force has implemented the “Know More, Do Better 4.0” presentation series. Hosted at Vanguard University in Costa Mesa, the program utilizes a peer-to-peer educational model where university students present safety curricula to visiting junior high students. The initiative aims to educate adolescents on recognizing recruitment tactics used by traffickers both online and in person. The next scheduled event is set for January 26, coinciding with National Human Trafficking Prevention Month.
In addition to prevention efforts, the task force emphasizes rehabilitation for survivors. The nonprofit organization Kherut supports the initiative through its catering subsidiary, Savor, which trains and employs adult survivors of human trafficking in food service roles. This component of the task force’s strategy focuses on providing economic independence and skill development for individuals exiting exploitative situations.
Community Safety Initiatives
The strategic focus of the OCHTTF highlights a shift toward proactive early intervention, acknowledging that law enforcement suppression alone cannot resolve the complex dynamics of human trafficking. By integrating peer-to-peer educational models, authorities aim to disrupt recruitment cycles at the junior high level, a critical vulnerability point identified by recent data. Furthermore, the collaboration between the District Attorney’s Office and nonprofit entities underscores the necessity of a multi-faceted approach that addresses both victim prevention and long-term survivor rehabilitation to effectively reduce exploitation within the county.
