Human trafficking is one of the fastest growing crimes in the country and, unfortunately, it’s here in Orange County as well. “A lot of people think it’s only happening in Anaheim and Santa Ana. But there are up to 200 victims in Mission Viejo and Laguna Niguel today,” said Jim Carson, victim advocate for Orangewood Children’s Foundation.
Because human traffickers and their victims often take public transportation. OCTA launched the Be the One program to transform its buses into safe havens on wheels. OCTA has trained hundreds of coach operators to identify and help victims and encourages everyone in OC to “be the one” to say something.
In recognition of January as Human Trafficking Awareness Month, OCTA has joined with the rest of the Orange County Human Trafficking Task Force to draw attention to what is often called modern-day slavery. Through fraud, force, and/or coercion, human traffickers force defenseless victims, often women and children, to provide sex or labor.
OCTA is using messaging on buses, bus stops, social media, and ads to raise awareness of the problem and empower all of Orange County to fight back. Anyone can Be the One to make a difference.
Click here to find out more about human trafficking and OCTA’s ongoing fight against it.