Grand Jury Report on Human Sex Trafficking Calls for Increased Resources, Shared Data

BY C. JAYDEN SMITH

More funding and collaboration is needed to bolster the county’s agencies and stakeholders in combating human sex trafficking, the Orange County Grand Jury concluded in its latest report published this month.

Prior to releasing its findings, the group conducted extensive interviews with county officials, social service personnel and subject matter experts in addition to reviewing varying documents at the local, state and federal level, such as policies and procedures, laws and statistical reports.

“In this report, the Grand Jury makes several recommendations to improve law enforcement, prosecution, awareness, and support services for victims and survivors,” the report stated.

The report centered on three main areas from the group’s investigation, including the Orange County Human Trafficking Task Force (OCHTTF), countywide data collection and sharing, and education and prevention efforts.

San Juan Capistrano Mayor Howard Hart ran for local office in 2020 on a platform that, in part, identified illicit massage parlors as an issue of concern as it relates to human trafficking. Hart introduced revised regulations for massage parlors in San Juan in early 2021 that strengthened the town’s ability to shut down businesses if they are reported to host illicit sexual activity.

Speaking solely about his own position and not the rest of the City Council, he said he agreed with the OC Grand Jury report’s findings. He attributed the prob -