The Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority announced a new effort to help rescue victims of human trafficking and punish perpetrators of this crime, at a news conference Friday, January 6, 2023

“Human Trafficking Happens Everywhere” is the message the transit agency hopes will encourage passengers and the community at large to keep an eye out on public transit.  Public transit is a common and easily accessible form of transportation for human trafficking suspects to transport their victims.

After serving as a model for AB 2034, the 2018 California law that requires transit agencies throughout the state to train frontline workers on the signs of human trafficking, VTA is going a step further with public education and an enhanced schedule of retraining for all employees.  This renewed effort is made possible, in part, by a $350-thousand grant from the Federal Transit Administration.

“This initiative will be built into our framework,” said VTA General Manger/CEO Carolyn Gonot. “Our employees are trained to look for the signs, and we hope our riding public will get the message that human trafficking happens everywhere and help us to stop it.”

Passengers and the public at large are encouraged to download the VTAlerts app on mobile devices, which allows them to discretely report human trafficking in addition to other crimes or concerns.

VTA employees have been trained to recognize the signs of Human Trafficking and how to report it.  Every incoming new employee receives the training, and all employees will receive renewed training periodically.

VTA appreciates the important work and support of the Santa Clara County Human Trafficking Commission chaired by County Supervisor and VTA Board member Cindy Chavez.

“Santa Clara County’s Human Trafficking Commission is making great progress helping human trafficking survivors.  Funding has been increased providing services to change the course of survivors’ lives and to stop traffickers,” said Santa Clara County Supervisor Cindy Chavez. “Combatting human trafficking requires a focused, coordinated effort by every government agency in Santa Clara County. Human trafficking can happen anywhere including on VTA buses and trains, which is why this new public awareness campaign by VTA is so critical.’’

 VTA is hopeful this new campaign will assist the County District Attorney’s Office as they prosecute Human Trafficking cases.  The DA’s Human Trafficking Task Force is one of the largest in the state of California.