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Copyright Lexipol, LLC 2017/11/28, All Rights Reserved. Published with permission by Santa Monica Police Department Human Trafficking and Child Prostitutes - 1 Santa Monica Police Department Santa Monica Police Department Policy Manual Human Trafficking and Child Prostitutes 316.1 HUMAN TRAFFICKING AND CHILD PROSTITUTES Human trafficking pertains not only to individuals who are victimized as forced laborers but also includes individuals who are victimized for sexual services. Child prostitutes are exploited through forced labor and forced sexual services. Children who are explo ited for commercial sex are referred to as Commercially Sexually Exploited Children (CSEC). Human trafficking is generally defined as depriving or violating the personal liberty of another with the intent to obtain forced labor or services (Penal Code § 23 6.1(a)). Human trafficking of adults and minors for the purpose of commercial sexual exploitation carries more severe punishment (Penal Code § 236.1(b), (c)). Because of the predatory nature of human trafficking, victims commonly display one or more high risk factors, including (but not limited to): • Being young • A runaway • Disabled • Homeless • Drug or alcohol -addicted • Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender or queer • A foreign national • Undocumented We cannot address and eradicate human trafficking without understanding victims and their plight. We must seek not only to prosecute vigorously those who take advantage of their vulnerability, but also to assist victims to move forward and live safe, productive lives. The process of healing begins from the very f irst contact law enforcement has with a child prostitute victim. The primary objective of this protocol is to prosecute, to the fullest extent of the law, human traffickers and those persons who exploit child prostitutes. The arrest and prosecution must occur with deliberate speed and vigor even as the victim’s physical and emotional needs are protected. The purpose of this protocol is to formalize the procedures to be followed by Santa Monica Police Department personnel when investigating human trafficking and child prostitution cases. This protocol seeks to provide an appropriate umbrella of protection that effectively addresses the ongoing and escalating nature of exploitation suffered by child prostitutes. The primary objectives are to identify, reduce and ultimately eradicate any evidence of human trafficking and child prostitution in the City of Santa Monica. This necessarily includes the investigation and prosecution of traffickers while vigorously protecting the needs of victims at all stages. In fur therance of the primary objectives, this protocol will: Policy 316 Copyright Lexipol, LLC 2017/11/28, All Rights Reserved. Published with permission by Santa Monica Police Department Human Trafficking and Child Prostitutes - 2 Santa Monica Police Department Santa Monica Police Department Policy Manual Human Trafficking and Child Prostitutes • Encourage Department personnel to respond in a victim -centered, trauma -informed manner as the standard operating procedure in the investigation of human trafficking and child prostitution cases. • Assist Department personnel in recognizing human trafficking in all its forms, particularly when victimization is not readily apparent. • Emphasize a collaborative, multi -disciplinary response model that engages law enforcement agencies and victim services. • Aim to protect victims from predatory traffickers, both physically and emotionally. • Aim to protect victims from exposure to life -threatening diseases and physical abuse. • Aim to hold traffickers and exploiters accountable. 316.2 COMMUNICATIONS OPERATOR RESPONSE During the initial call for assistance, the Communications Operator should make every effort to help the human trafficking/child prostitute victim feel safe and supported, as victims may be distrustful of law enforcement. They are reluctant to disclose inf ormation because they are often afraid or unaware of their own victimization. Communications Operators can begin to build trust from the very first contact; the operator can convey safety and security to the victim through tone of voice, the manner in whic h questions are asked, and the manner in which the victim’s answers and statements are received. The Communications Operator should never inquire as to the victim’s desire to “prosecute” or “press charges”, as it is inappropriate to place the responsibility of law enforcement action on the victim. Human trafficking may be present in a variety of calls for service, including (but not limited to): • Assault • Battery • Child abuse • Citizen complaints • Criminal threats • Dissuading a witness • Domestic violence • False imprisonment • Gang activity • Kidnapping • Missing persons • Narcotics Copyright Lexipol, LLC 2017/11/28, All Rights Reserved. Published with permission by Santa Monica Police Department Human Trafficking and Child Prostitutes - 3 Santa Monica Police Department Santa Monica Police Department Policy Manual Human Trafficking and Child Prostitutes • Pandering • Pimping • Prostitution • Robbery • Traffic stops Always consider that human trafficking and child prostitution may be occurring even if not immediately apparent. The following points may assist the Communications Operator in assessing the nature of a human trafficking call. These points are suggestions only and should not be viewed as an exhaustive list. Information gathering should be tailored to specific facts and circumstances; as