We are here to help. 

You can contact the National Human Trafficking Resource Center at 1-888-373-7888 or text “Help” to 233733 (BeFree).

Or call us at (559) 500-7630.

Human Trafficking Victims Identified

Adult Victims

Minor Victims

%

Sex Trafficking

  • Female 91.7% 91.7%
  • Male 7.5% 7.5%
  • Self-Identified .3% .3%

%

Labor & Sex Trafficking

Foreign

%

Labor Trafficking

Domestic

Data through June 2020

What is Human Trafficking?

Human trafficking is a crime in which people profit from the control and exploitation of others. As defined under U.S. federal law, victims of human trafficking include children involved in the sex trade, adults age 18 or over who are coerced or deceived into commercial sex acts, and anyone forced into different forms of “labor or services,” such as domestic workers held in a home, or farm-workers forced to labor against their will. The factors that each of these situations have in common are elements of force, fraud, or coercion that are used to control people. Then, that control is tied to inducing someone into commercial sex acts, or labor or services. Numerous people in the field have summed up the concept of human trafficking as “compelled service.”

Every year, human traffickers generate billions of dollars in profits by victimizing millions of people around the world and here in the United States. Human trafficking is considered to be one of the fastest growing criminal industries in the world.

Fact Sheets:

About CVAHT

Central Valley Against Human Trafficking (CVAHT) provides awareness, training, technical assistance, advocacy and direct services about human trafficking and trafficking-related issues. Through Sanctuary and Youth Services’ other programs, emergency shelter, transitional housing, case management, transportation, referrals, and other assistance is provided to victims of all forms of human trafficking. CVAHT funded partners provide additional assistance to victims of human trafficking; including services for immigrants and victims of domestic violence. CVAHT leads the anti-trafficking effort throughout the Central Valley of California and consistently represents the region in state and nation-wide efforts.

Through partners and stakeholders, CVAHT serves a six-county region including Merced, Madera, Fresno, Tulare, Kings and Kern counties.

CVAHT was founded in 2009 as a result of staff’s increased awareness of minor girls presenting at Sanctuary Youth Shelter with a history of trafficking. Fresno EOC Sanctuary and Support Services was awarded a federal grant from U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to create the Central Valley Freedom Coalition and raise awareness of human trafficking. The overarching goals of Central Valley Against Human Trafficking (CVAHT) are to:

  • Provide leadership for the Central Valley Freedom Coalition 
  • Increase public awareness, of the dangers of trafficking and the protections that are available for victims;
  • Provide training and technical assistance to multi-sector professionals;
  • Provide outreach to those at risk for trafficking; and  
  • Identify victims of human trafficking and provide advocacy and direct services.

CVAHT Stories

Central Valley Against Human Trafficking Uniting with Communities in the Fight

For another year, Central Valley Against Human Trafficking (CVAHT) has joined forces with several other local organizations for their 8th annual Pledge to Stop Human Trafficking. This collaborative event allows the community to donate to the cause allowing the...
Jamelia

Jamelia’s Journey – A Human Trafficking Survivor

Jamelia Hinds became a U.S. Citizen in February, more than 20 years after being trafficked to the Central Valley as a child in the late 1990s from the Caribbean country of Belize. She attended her naturalization ceremony in Fresno, just one week before her 34th...

Preventing Human Trafficking in the Central Valley

Every year, millions of women, men, non-gender identifying individuals, and children are trafficked worldwide—including right here in the Central Valley. Human trafficking involves the use of force, fraud, or coercion to obtain an individual or group for some type of...
Sanctuary and Support Services Virtual Resources

Sanctuary and Support Services offer online and virtual resources for participants

Fresno EOC programs are excited to expand our online and virtual services for clients and community members. Central Valley Against Human Trafficking (CVAHT) and the LGBTQ+ Resource Center are two projects that have both moved training, workshops, and support groups...

407 Victims of Human Trafficking have been Identified by CVAHT

Today there are nearly 21 million victims of forced labor and human trafficking worldwide, a global industry which generates an estimated $32 billion-a-year in illegal profits. Victims include men, women and children. The United States is widely regarded as a...

Central Valley 10th Annual Conference on Human Trafficking hosts over 400 attendees and Fresno Mayor

Fresno EOC Sanctuary and Support Services hosted the Central Valley 10th Annual Conference on Human Trafficking with over 400 guests in attendance. The all-day event held workshops, a vendor fair and the launch of the Fresno City Mayor’s Office Initiative to Combat...

Central Valley 10th Annual Conference on Human Trafficking

Fresno EOC Central Valley Against Human Trafficking project will host the 10th Annual Roots of Resiliency Conference on Human Trafficking on Wednesday, March 27, 2019. The conference will explore a multi-disciplinary approach to regional partnerships, identification...

Advocacy Update: Central Valley Freedom Coalition

We need your help now! The California State Legislature did not refund the only state funding for survivors and victims of human trafficking. Fresno EOC Central Valley Against Human Trafficking (CVAHT) relies on this this CalOES funding to support victims of human...

9th Annual Human Trafficking Conference Recap

On Tuesday, March 20, 2018, Fresno Economic Opportunities Commission continued its longstanding tradition of engaging diverse partners by hosting the Be Free 9th Annual Central Valley Conference on Human Trafficking. The event was held at the Veterans Memorial...

Help Us Distribute Posters to Fight Human Trafficking

Signed in 2012 and enacted in 2013, SB 1193 requires certain businesses to post hotline numbers and resources for victims. In December, volunteers distributed posters to 52 urgent care centers and massage businesses in the cities of Fresno and Clovis. The posters...

How to recognize the signs of trafficking

It is difficult for the average person to assess the presence of trafficking. However, there are signs that one should be familiar with as follows:

Signs of Trafficking--Common Living Conditions

Common Work and Living Conditions

  • Is not free to leave or come and go as he/she wishes
  • Is under 18 and is providing commercial sex acts
  • Is in the commercial sex industry and has a pimp / manager
  • Is unpaid, paid very little, or paid only through tips
  • Works excessively long and/or unusual hours
  • Is not allowed breaks or suffers under unusual restrictions at work
  • Owes a large debt and is unable to pay it off
  • Was recruited through false promises concerning the nature and conditions of his/her work
  • High security measures exist in the work and/or living locations (e.g. opaque windows, boarded up windows, bars on windows, barbed wire, security cameras, etc.)

Signs of Trafficking--Poor Mental Health

Poor Mental Health or Abnormal Behavior

  • Is fearful, anxious, depressed, submissive, tense, or nervous/paranoid
  • Exhibits unusually fearful or anxious behavior after bringing up law enforcement
  • Avoids eye contact

Signs of Trafficking--Lack of Control

Lack of Control

  • Has few or no personal possessions
  • Is not in control of his/her own money, no financial records, or bank account
  • Is not in control of his/her own identification documents (ID or passport)
  • Is not allowed or able to speak for themselves (a third party may insist on being present and/or translating)
Signs of Trafficking--Poor Physical Health

Poor Physical Health

  • Lacks health care
  • Appears malnourished
  • Shows signs of physical and/or sexual abuse, physical restraint, confinement, or torture

Signs of Trafficking--Other

Other

  • Claims of just visiting and inability to clarify where he/she is staying/address
  • Lack of knowledge of whereabouts and/or do not know what city he/she is in
  • Loss of sense of time
  • Has numerous inconsistencies in his/her story
Need Help Now?
If you are in need of immediate assistance, or if you can give a credible tip, contact our 24/7 trauma response line: (559) 500-7630 or the National Human Trafficking Hotline: (888) 373-7888 or text “HELP” to “BeFree” (233733).

Frequently Asked Questions

If I think I have encountered a trafficked person, should I attempt to rescue them?

No, these situations can be very dangerous. Contact the National Human Trafficking Hotline at (888) 373-7888 to report the tip or 911 if there is a current crisis and then have faith that the proper authorities will respond.

What else can I do to help with this issue?

Educate yourself. Learn how your choices as a consumer impact trafficked persons around the world. Learn how your perceptions of other social issues impact a trafficked person. Labor rights, immigration rights, women’s rights, child abuse, environmental concerns, and other important issues are all intertwined when it comes to human trafficking.

What should I do if I want to become further involved?

Make sure you are working with or supporting a legitimate anti-trafficking organization. There are many organizations that do good ethical work and those are the ones that need to be supported. Start with the National Human Trafficking Resource Center for further information about those organizations in your area or contact Central Valley Against Human Trafficking.

I want to get out of "the life." Can you help me?
Yes. Contact our 24/7 trauma response line: (559) 500-7630 or the National Human Trafficking Hotline: (888) 373-7888 or text “HELP” to “BeFree” (233733).

Contact Us

If you’d like more information on Central Valley Against Human Trafficking and our services, please contact us:

Phone: (559) 500-7630

Fax: (559) 262-1668

Email: cvaht@fresnoeoc.org or cvfreedomcoalition@gmail.com

 

Follow Us

Fresno EOC CVAHT project partners include:

How You Can Help

Volunteer with Central Valley Against Human Trafficking

Donate
Central Valley Against Human Trafficking (CVAHT) is always in need of funds to provide emergency hotel vouchers, pre-paid cellular phones and gift cards to grocery stores and stores including Wal-Mart for essential items such as food, diapers, and clothing. To make a donation, please use the Donate button to the right. 

For more information on getting involved, email cvaht@fresnoeoc.org

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