When most people hear about human trafficking, the first thing they think is that it doesn’t happen in our community. Maybe in foreign countries or poverty-stricken towns, they think. But not here.
The reality: It happens closer to home than you think.
Data indicate that Sonoma County law enforcement agencies have investigated human trafficking cases in Santa Rosa, Rohnert Park, Petaluma, Cotati and Windsor, and that more than 200 cases have been filed by the local District Attorney’s office since 2011. What’s more, according to Verity, a Santa Rosa rape crisis center and nonprofit that works to fight sexual abuse and assault, more than 40 percent of California’s human trafficking incidents overall happen in the Bay Area.
Joan Mora is doing her part to raise awareness about this reality. Mora is one of the folks responsible for bringing a documentary about human trafficking to Healdsburg this week. The film, titled “Stopping Traffic: The Movement to End Sex-Trafficking,” debuted Jan. 23 in Santa Rosa and was screened again at the Raven Theater.
The film commemorates Human Trafficking Awareness month, which ended in January.
Mora’s is a familiar face; many parents around town know her as owner of Windsor Gymnastics on Bell Road. She’s run that business since 1993. In that time, Mora estimates she’s coached thousands of kids. She also has worked with the Windsor chapters of Rotary International and Soroptimist International.
Mora became familiar with the realities of human trafficking through her involvement with the Soroptimists. One of the projects she worked on years ago related to the betterment of women and girls. As part of that, she and fellow members met with others around the region to discuss the issue. Eventually, along with county officials and representatives from law enforcement agencies across the county, they helped create the Sonoma County Human Trafficking Task Force.
Today, though Mora describes herself as “a small part” of that organization, she plays a big role in raising awareness about the scourge of human trafficking and educating her students and the general public about how they can fight back.
“[Human trafficking] happens in plain sight,” she said. “People might not know what to look for, but it’s there. My heart goes out to them. I feel like they need a voice.”
During a recent interview, Mora offered different examples of what human trafficking might look like to the casual bystander or passerby. Some of the warning signs: Watching a grown-up treating a child like a piece of property, witnessing a child cowering in a corner, or observing bruises on a child’s arms and legs.
She added that if you are suspicious about anything you see, you should alert authorities immediately.
“Most of us want to help but are not equipped to intervene on our own,” she said. “If you see something that makes you uncomfortable, it’s important that you report the situation to someone who is trained in how to respond the right way.”
For additional information about human trafficking, visit Verity’s website at ourverity.org. To report an incident, call Verity’s hotline at 707-545-7273 or the National Human Trafficking Hotline at 888-373-7888.
Matt Villano is a writer and editor based in Healdsburg. His column spotlights good people in the community doing great things. Learn more about him at whalehead.com.
