Empower Yolo will be hosting a forum to raise awareness regarding human trafficking, which has grown at a concerning rate over the last decade.

The free event is also being sponsored by Yolo County District Attorney’s Office, Yolo County Office of Education, 3 Strands Global Foundation, West Sacramento Police Department and Yolo County Supervisor Oscar Villegas, according to a Facebook post from the Woodland Police Department.

“January is National Human Trafficking Prevention Month, a time to bring attention to the efforts of survivor advocates, anti-trafficking organizations, and law enforcement around the world to raise awareness about human trafficking and end it in all its forms,” the post reads.

Human trafficking is the commercial exploitation of people through force, fraud or coercion and takes place in many forms. There are two main forms of trafficking: labor trafficking and sex trafficking, according to a report from the Public Policy Institute of California.

Trafficking typically operate via illicit, secretive networks of individuals, businesses or even families, making it appear legitimate and easier for perpetrators to control their victims. According to data provided by the National Human Trafficking Hotline, the reported number of people experiencing trafficking nationwide rose from 12,000 in 2015 to more than 22,200 in 2019.

On a national level, 90% of trafficking cases are sexual in nature, and in the state of California, that number is just below the national average at 89%. Women also make up 86% of the victims in human trafficking cases in California, according to the Public Policy Institute of California.

Majority of trafficking victims in California are immigrants, with 54% of victims reported being born outside of the United States.

The Empower Yolo forum is meant to raise the community’s awareness regarding this epidemic and to educate the public on what efforts cities and towns, the county, the state and the country are doing to help prevent human trafficking.

The forum will include:

Survivor speakers sharing their powerful stories

A panel of experts providing insight on how we can all work to end human trafficking

Youth-focused and adult-focused presentations to help you recognize the signs and red flags

Tips on how to support a friend or family member affected by human trafficking

The event is free and is scheduled for 6 p.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 29, at 1075 West Capitol Ave. in West Sacramento. For more information regarding this event or Empower Yolo, contact Jen Vasquez, Anti-Human Trafficking Advocate, at Jen@empoweryolo.org.

If you or a loved one are being trafficked or suspect being trafficked, call the Empower Yolo 24-hour crisis line for support at (530) 662-1133. You can also contact the 24/7 National Human Trafficking Hotline at 1-888-373-7888. All services are free, safe and confidential.