California Attorney General Rob Bonta and Comic-Con International have joined forces to address human trafficking during the popular Comic-Con event in San Diego. The collaboration aims to increase public awareness and provide resources to help combat this issue, which is one of the fastest-growing criminal enterprises globally.
Attorney General Bonta emphasized the importance of public vigilance in recognizing and reporting signs of human trafficking. He stated, “Comic-Con is an incredible event that brings people from all over the world together in San Diego to celebrate creativity, art, and community – we’re grateful to Comic-Con International for using their platform in partnership with my office to raise awareness of human trafficking.”
David Glanzer, Chief Communications and Strategy Officer for Comic-Con, expressed support for these efforts. “Safety of our attendees is always our primary focus,” he said. “We join and applaud the efforts of California Attorney General Rob Bonta in keeping citizens safe, especially during Comic-Con weekend.”
The San Diego Human Trafficking Task Force (SDHTTF) will be conducting operations during Comic-Con weekend to reduce demand for commercial sexual exploitation. The task force adopts a survivor-oriented approach and collaborates with victim advocate groups.
Human trafficking generates approximately $150 billion annually worldwide. It involves the exploitation of individuals through force or coercion for sex or labor. Victims are protected under federal and state laws.
Public awareness tips include learning how to recognize signs of trafficking and understanding that forced labor can occur across various industries such as hotels and entertainment venues. Resources are available through hotlines like the National Human Trafficking Hotline at 1-888-373-7888.
The SDHTTF includes multiple agencies working together under the leadership of the California Department of Justice, aiming to protect victims and apprehend offenders.
