Since 2017, there have been 261 human trafficking investigations in Santa Barbara County, with 41% of victims being from the community.
According to the FBI, California has the highest number of human trafficking cases in the United States with the Central Coast acting as a corridor along Highway 101 connecting larger cities to the north and south, according to Tiffany Carty with the Santa Barbara County District Attorney’s Office.
Carty says the signs of exploitation are subtle but often have a pattern.
“You’re going to see things like not having access to their finances, not having access to their ID or passport, not having the ability to choose when they work, how long they work, and working excessive hours” she said.
The signs for trafficked youth can include frequently missing school, wearing designer items, or dating someone much older. Traffickers seek out and exploit vulnerabilities such as homelessness and economic instability. Additionally, the signs of trafficking are often missed due to societal preconceptions.