Why San Diego is a hotspot

Lina PortmanJune 6, 2024

0 1 minute read

SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI) — Officials say human trafficking is the second largest criminal industry in San Diego and the world.

San Diego leaders continue to fight this phenomenon and do more to combat the $810 million sex trafficking industry.

“Human trafficking is the second largest underground economy in San Diego, with up to 8,000 people per year in the county,” said Chairwoman Nora Vargas, District 1 County Supervisor.

District Attorney Summer Stephan said prevention and education are the key to trying to stop child sex trafficking in San Diego.

Officials say San Diego is a hot spot because of tourism, it's an urban city, an international community, but data shows 80% of victims are local to San Diego.

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Kimberly Giardina, director of the county's Department of Child and Family Welfare, said trafficking doesn't start like many people think, with kidnapping and the like. She said the most common way for traffic to start is on social media.

“San Diego has the tragic distinction of being one of the most trafficked areas in the United States. Predators target young girls and boys, subjecting them to a life of sexual exploitation through coercion and manipulation,” said District 5 County Supervisor Jim Desmond.

“More work needs to be done on social media platforms to filter out destructive messages and they can establish algorithms, just like they do to sell us more things, to protect our children,” Stephan said.

You'll likely see posters around San Diego and on social media as part of the new educational campaign announced Wednesday and kicked off Monday.

Officials said it's a good reminder to know the warning signs that a child might be involved in sex trafficking and to watch for them.

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