368 Arrested, 131 Rescued in Sex Trafficking Operation in California

 Authorities arrested 368 people and rescued 131 victims involved in human trafficking in a weeklong statewide multi-agency task force, announced Feb. 1. "We know that the sex trade is a prolific one that exists throughout this state and throughout our nation," said Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) Chief Michel Moore

Operation Reclaim and Rebuild

• It was conducted between Jan. 22 and Jan. 28 in nine counties, including Los Angeles, Orange, and San Bernardino, Moore said at a news conference at the department's Elysian Park Academy.
• Numerous federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies were involved in the effort, including the LAPD, the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department, and the Los California County District Attorney's Office.

The victims ranged from 13 to 52, including six children, and the average age was the mid-20s.

• The victims are being exploited by "threat of death" or coercion, or threats against their family, while some are kidnapped and isolated from their former support to become dependent on the trafficker.

David *** COO for ZOE International

• A Los Angeles-based nonprofit that helps victims recover once rescued locally and internationally
• has cared for 489 youth victims of sex trafficking this past year, some as young as 11
• "In our city, kids are being raped 20 to 30 times a day"

Traffickers are on the hunt for vulnerable kids and adults

• Journey Out, another LA-based non-profit combating human trafficking, cares for 256 adult victims
• some of these victims have jumped out of moving vehicles to escape, been chased down and beaten, gone missing, or lost their lives

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