Stockton, which has become known as a hub for human trafficking in recent years, will be getting more than half a million dollars from a federal grant to help human trafficking survivors in the area find a safe haven.
The money will fund Community Medical Centers in 18 locations throughout San Joaquin County. The centers will provide care for trafficking victims for everything from mental health struggles to substance abuse starting next year.
The survivors who will get care at these centers include men and women in both sexual and labor exploitation, according to Community Medical’s Victoria Felt.
“Young, some preteens, teenagers as well as some adults,” Felt said. “We’re hoping with this grant that we can get a better idea of the degree of human trafficking in this community.”
Stockton police made arrests in two cases for alleged human trafficking in the past week. One of the victims was a 13-year-old girl.
Felt expects to provide services to as many to 50 victims in the first year.
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