Human Trafficking on the Central Coast forum is hosted at the Santa Maria Country Club today

SANTA MARIA, Calif. -- Community members gathered at the Santa Maria Country Club today for the Human Trafficking on the Central Coast forum hosted by the Rotary Club of Santa Maria South.

The Santa Barbara County Human Trafficking Task Force along with other Non-profit organizations are collaborating to educate, give resources, and shed light on the reality of human trafficking across the Central Coast. Law enforcement, medical professionals and educators were amongst those present.

“We have a lot of people that are coming here to be trafficked with their traffickers. And we also have a lot of people that are born and raised here that are being trafficked. So, you know, this is not some small thing in the town. It's a it's a big problem," said Santa Barbara County Deputy District Attorney, Tyson McCoy.

McCoy said the Central Coast is a vital route for traffickers who travel on the 101 and other nearby highways. He said victims are trafficked city to city in different hotels.

In one year, over 70,000 sex trafficking ads were posted from Santa Barbara County and 47,000 were from Santa Maria alone.

McCoy says traffickers are targeting minors on social media platforms like Snapchat, Instagram, Twitter, Tiktok and even online video games.

“The trafficker takes the heart and the mind before they take the body. And so what they do is they make promises. I'm going to give you a better life. I love you. I'm going to take care of you. And so that victim then comes in willingly because they're being deceived that the person is going to take care of them," said McCoy.

Survivor and Director of Aftercare for the Safe House Project, Alia Azariah shared her experiences being trafficked on the Central Coast from 2004-2018.

“I would never have left if I didn't hear about somebody else like me. Because it seems impossible," said Azariah.

Azariah said due to Stockholm Syndrome and trauma bonding, she was unable to leave her sex traffickers. She ran away with her first trafficker at 13-years-old. Azariah said, she was able to leave with the help of people in her community who gave her the support and resources to start a new life.

“You're just an addict or you're a criminal or you're a prostitute. And when you can see, actually see, like it's more than just words. There's somebody out there who's like me who went through all the things and who was just as broken And they're different now," said Azariah.

Now, Azariah is working with the District Attorney's office and other non-profits to spread awareness and help youth victims.

“It gives you the hope to believe that your trafficker has been lying to you. Your abuser has been lying to you when they said this was all that was available and then helping them know where to go when that time comes," said Azariah.

McCoy and Azariah shared a similar message to help prevent the trafficking of loved ones. They said the key is to give children the attention and love that they need. They add that it is essential to have open communication with minors and get as involved as possible into their lives. Knowing where your children are and who they are with is vital.

To Report a trafficking tip to the National Human Trafficking Hotline at 1-888-373-7888 or Text "Help" or "Info" to BeFree (233733).

The Santa Barbara County Human Trafficking Task Force: www.safesbc.org