Stanislaus Taskforce Against Human Trafficking (STAHT)

Proposal Abstract

Legal Name of Lead Applicants

Haven Women’s Center of Stanislaus
Stanislaus County Sheriff’s Office

Taskforce Name: Stanislaus Taskforce Against Human Trafficking (STAHT)

Amount of Federal Funding Requested

Haven Women’s Center of Stanislaus: $750,000
Stanislaus County Sheriff’s Office: $750,000

Description of State/geographic area where taskforce activities will be focused:

Stanislaus County, CA (population 552,999, CA-10) includes Modesto, Turlock, Oakdale, Riverbank, Patterson, Newman, and Ceres, plus other rural hamlets and unincorporated areas of the county.

The number of human trafficking investigations and prosecutions in the last three years:

Investigations: In 2019 the department initiated 7 cases with Human Trafficking elements, 14 total cases with Pimping and Pandering; in 2020 the department initiated 36 cases with Human Trafficking elements, 52 total cases with Pimping and Pandering; in 2021 the department initiated 56 cases with Human Trafficking elements, 88 total cases with Pimping and Pandering.

The number of trafficking victims served by Haven in the last three years: 161 victims of sex and/or labor trafficking served in the last three years (January 2019 to December 2021)

Summary:

The Stanislaus Taskforce Against Human Trafficking (STAHT) is a multidisciplinary, co-leadership task force that will take the initiative to develop approaches to identify victims of all forms of human trafficking, provide access to services, and investigate and prosecute traffickers in Stanislaus County. Members include Stanislaus County Sheriff’s Office, Haven Women’s Center of Stanislaus, and HSI. Additional members will be recruited from the District Attorney’s Office, and Victim Service Unit, among other collaborative partners. STAHT will work together to update, discuss, and collaborate on trafficking incidences, investigations, and victim services; share case information as a multi-disciplinary team of providers; and conduct proactive investigations and prosecutions. Major services that are provided to victims include advocacy, basic needs, counseling, crisis intervention, law enforcement and prosecution, legal assistance, and language access justice. STAHT will use a victim-centered and trauma-informed approach for all project activities, focusing on victim needs, safety, and autonomy. This project is requesting priority consideration for priority area A. This project will promote racial equity and the removal of barriers to access to services for historically marginalized communities within Stanislaus County.