Compton city leaders and community partners gathered on Wednesday, Oct. 29, to relaunch the Human Trafficking Task Force, a collaborative effort to provide trauma-informed care, prevention, and advocacy for survivors.
The initiative brings together law enforcement, service providers, faith-based organizations, schools, and survivor leaders to address human trafficking in the region.
“Our goal is to support, restore, and defend the survivors,” said Deatra Handy, who doubles as the program director for Restoration Diversion Services and a lead organizer of the relaunched event. “They are not who people say they are. This is a fight for women who have been forcibly exploited, and Compton is supposed to be a sanctuary—a safety net for young women to seek refuge.”
Handy emphasized the city’s commitment to prevention and awareness…