On Thursday, Oct. 16, the San Diego Public Library (SDPL) and Bilateral Safety Corridor Coalition (BSCC) will host a joint event to discuss the relatively unknown ways human trafficking benefits criminal organizations. The conference is titled, “What we are Missing in Human Trafficking.” 

As one of the top 13 highest sex trafficking areas in the country, the San Diego region’s illegal sex economy represents an estimated $810 million in annual revenue and is only second in value to drug trafficking, according to studies from Point Loma Nazarene University and San Diego Youth Services. The studies also found that those at the highest risk of becoming victims of sex trafficking are individuals who have experienced homelessness, at 55%, and those in the foster care system, at 28%. In both cases, U.S. citizens made up about 80% of victims.  

As a community resource hub, SDPL hosts programs, outreach events and initiatives throughout the year to inform the public about issues impacting their local communities, including staff trainings and special collections on human trafficking to raise awareness via the Out of the Shadows Program. 

“Libraries are uniquely capable to be safe havens where victims of human trafficking can find an escape,” said Library Director Misty Jones. “Every employee in the SDPL system receives training in identifying and recognizing signs of human trafficking, along with the knowledge to take appropriate steps when those signs occur.”  

Conference panelists and speakers will include Protection Project founder Laura Lederer, San Diego City Attorney Heather Ferbert, San Diego County District Attorney Summer Stephan and more. The conference is free, open to the public and will take place from 8:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m. in the Shiley Special Events Suite on the 9^th Floor of the Central Library. It is recommended that attendees register beforehand at this link. 

“What we are Missing in Human Trafficking” is part of the City of San Diego’s Out of the Shadows program, which started in 2015 with a grant from the Rancho Santa Fe Women’s Fund and matching funds from the San Diego Library Foundation. The program was the first of its kind in the country, and includes employee training, support services, a teen mentorship program and more. Over 93% of SDPL staff have learned to identify and respond to trafficking situations, with help from BSCC, the San Diego Police Department and the City Human Relations Division.  

For more information on Out of the Shadows or for further information on the City’s strategy against human trafficking, visit the program webpage.