“Thank you Special Operations,” John Vanek, Human Trafficking Program Coordinator, San Mateo County
“Thank you Special Operations,” John Vanek, Human Trafficking Program Coordinator, San Mateo County
We want to thank Special Operations for their caring and generosity towards a victim of sex trafficking,” John Vanek, Human Trafficking Program Coordinator, San Mateo County. “The community’s generosity helped the victim through the process, all of which were critically important in getting the case to court and, ultimately the maximum conviction.
The victim was identified in August by Redwood City PD after it initially appeared she was assaulted and robbed of her purse by a male associate. The next day she disclosed she was a trafficking victim. He was arrested within a week.
The victim attended the sentencing and delivered a victim impact statement that detailed his exploitation and how it has harmed her. The victim was too emotional to read it, so her mother read it. The judge sentenced the defendant to the maximum number of years allowed in this case.
It takes a community working with law enforcement to stop sex trafficking of kids right here in the Bay Area. We can not continue doing this work without you.
Today, predators can reach vulnerable children through phones, social media, gaming platforms, and the internet, often before families realize something is wrong. Finding Kids responds through three core programs: Recover. Care. Target. We help locate missing and exploited children, support families during and after recovery, and work with law enforcement to identify and disrupt those who exploit youth. Our work continues after a child is found because recovery is only the beginning. By combining investigations, aftercare, and prevention, we help children return safely to their homes, schools, and communities while building a future where every vulnerable child receives help before crisis becomes exploitation. We are a 501(c)(3) charitable organization and 100% of your tax-deductible donation goes directly towards keeping kids safe. We cannot do this work without your support.
*Names has been changed to protect the victim’s identity.