Orange County Board of Supervisors Minute Order*

R2

The Sheriff's Department, city police departments and responsible Orange County agencies should develop a data base using a single term such as "Minor Sex Trafficking" to allow the trafficked victims to be systematically tracked with the result of a proper identification and status as a victim of crime. A consistent label for the crime would allow multiple agencies, communities and regions to research and intervene in a single coordinated effort. Response: The recommendation requires further analysis. This recommendation will be brought up at an upcoming Blue Ribbon Commission subcommittee meeting dealing with the issue of Human Trafficking. The participating agencies will review the recommendation and determine if/when the recommendation can be implemented. A determination as to the feasibility of the request will be made within the next six months.

R4

The County Executive Officer should direct responsible agencies to develop a strategic plan to eliminate this growing problem and meet the immediate need for food, shelter, treatment and protection from exploitation. The establishment of a safe group home in Orange County would be instrumental in meeting this need. The recommendation will not be implemented because it is not Response: warranted or is not reasonable. The County agrees that sex trafficking of girls (and human trafficking of persons of all genders and age) is a grave violation of human rights. Such crimes often cross geographical and jurisdictional boundaries which are best addressed by interagency sharing of intelligence, skills and services. Many cases fall under Federal legislation and jurisdiction, and are coordinated by the Department of Justice. In the County of Orange, strategies exist that rely on multi-disciplinary and multi-agency teams to address this issue, including the Blue Ribbon Commission subcommittee for Human Trafficking and the Orange County Human Trafficking Task Force (OCHTTF) which were established to work toward finding solutions to protect victims, prosecute offenders and prevent further perpetration of this type of crime in Orange County. OCHTTF is a collaboration of National Law Enforcement, including the Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI) and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), County and local Law Enforcement, non- governmental organizations, faith based organizations and the community. It is because of the best practices use of multi-disciplinary and multi-agency teams that the County cannot "direct" responsible agencies to develop a strategic plan to eliminate this growing problem and meet the immediate need for food, shelter, treatment and protection from exploitation as recommended by the Grand Jury. The County does not have direct or jurisdictional authority over many of these agencies. The County acknowledges that prevention efforts and victim protection is a priority and remains committed to collaborate as appropriate to fight against all human trafficking. Further, the County encourages all agencies to address the feasibility of all Grand Jury recommendations included in the report "Sex Trafficking of Girls."