FAQYour Questions, Our Answers.
What is the Riverside
The Riverside County Anti-Human Trafficking Task Force (RCAHT) was founded July 2010 and has celebrated its first anniversary. RCAHT is a collaborative partnership of Law Enforcement, Non-Governmental Organizations, Faith Based Organizations, and the community with the goal to protect victims, prevent further exploitation through education, and prosecute perpetrators within Riverside County, CA. RCAHT aims is to coordinate services tailored to the characteristics and circumstances of these victims, train law enforcement on investigation and detection, educate the public and create awareness to protect people from abuse and exploitation.
Lead agencies include:
What are the signs of Human Trafficking?
Human Trafficking or "modern day slavery" is a crime and a global phenomenon that involves obtaining or maintaining the labor or services of another person through the use of force, fraud, or coercion. These human rights violations can occur in the forms of commercial sex (sex trafficking) and forced labor such as domestic servitude, factory or agricultural work.
Indicators of human trafficking may include but are not limited to:
- General Indicators- Victims are not free to leave, and are being forced to perform labor/services, are controlled.
- Physical Indicators- Victims may have tattoos indicating someone else's ownership. Injuries/scars from abuse or assault.
- Financial/Legal Indicators- Someone else has possession of the victim's legal and/or travel documents. The victim is not receiving a fair wage for his/her work or owes money to his/her employer.
- Drop Houses - Bars on windows; barbed wire surrounding facility, doors that lock from the outside workers transported in groups and/or living together or with the employer; guard dogs.
- Sex Industry/Brothels- This could be a massage parlor, other place of business, or a residence. There may be large amounts of cash and condoms on location; men come and go frequently and/or late at night.
Is this really happening in
Yes,
Can someone Volunteer or Intern?
Yes. As a collaborative task force, RCAHT also depends on local communities for help. For volunteer opportunities and requirements, please contact according to your interest:
- RCAHT Victim Services
- RCAHT “Bridging the Gap” – outreach and edcuaiton
- RCAHT STOP – Specially Trained Obersver Program
Things to also include when contacting us re: volunteer opportunities
- Resume
- Possible Schedule
- How you heard about us
- Why you would like to volunteer and your area of interest
- Whether you speak another language (please specify)
Are there meetings and trainings?
Yes, RCAHT has two Protect and Prevent meetings one in each area of the county. These meetings are open to the public and usually held monthly:
What's the difference between human smuggling and human trafficking?
The key distinction between trafficking and smuggling lies in the individual’s freedom of choice. A person may choose and arrange to be smuggled into a country, but when a person is forced into a situation of exploitation where their freedom is taken away, they are then a victim of human trafficking.
- Human Smuggling is a crime against a border.
- Human Trafficking is a crime against a person.
- Human smuggling involves the evasion of immigration laws.
- Human trafficking involves the violation of human rights.
I'm doing a research paper about human trafficking. Who can I talk to?
More to come.
My church or club wants to be involved with the Riverside
RCAHT partners with many faith and community based groups. You can begin to be involved in several ways:
- Come to an event or meeting
- Request a community awareness speaker
- Request volunteer information
What if I think I see someone who many be a victim of trafficking?
Call the National Human Trafficking
This national toll free hotline can help you determine whether you may have a case of human trafficking, identify local resources to assist victims, as well as request training and technical assistance, general information or specific anti-trafficking resources.
Dispatchers are available to take your call 24 hours a day, 7 days a week- in many languages.
NHTRC is not a law enforcement or immigration entity. However, information can be forwarded to law enforcement upon the caller’s request.
If reporting a potential trafficking tip, please specify the location of the activity, including city and county.
How do I request a speaker?
To request a speaker, please contact the task force to specify what type of training.
For example:
- How many people will be attending the event?
- What is the name of your organization?
- What is the purpose of the event?
- What are the times and date you would like for the event?
I am a service provider, and I think one of my clients is a human trafficking victim. What do I do?
If you suspect you have a case of human trafficking, follow your agency protocol or speak to your supervisor regarding mandated reporting. If it is an emergency, please call 9-1-1. If it is not an emergency then please call 888.3737.888 and you will be assisted by a dispatcher, 24 hours a day, in any language needed. Your call will be referred to the task force and action will be taken.
How can I order Human Trafficking Awareness resources?
FREE Look Beneath the Surface materials such as posters, brochures, stickers and much more in many languages from Health and Human Services go to:www.acf.hhs.gov/trafficking/about/form.htm
Rescue & Restore Video Available Online
The Anti-Trafficking in Persons Division's Look Beneath the Surface video is now available on YouTube in both English and Spanish. The video contains revised HHS footage and provides information on human trafficking and on how to identify and assist victims. We encourage you to show it during conferences, workshops, and training sessions to shed light on the horrors of human trafficking and to enlist other groups and individuals in anti-trafficking efforts. The video can be accessed via the following links:
English (13:20):http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bqyzW84I3Dc
Spanish (15:07):http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nzfwOM_9np8
