Los Altos-based Special Operations, a nonprofit organization dedicated to helping victims of child sex trafficking, raised $112,000 at its recent annual golf tournament and dinner fundraiser.

A Los Altos Hills resident who asked not to be identified due to safety concerns founded Special Operations in 2017 in an effort to stop sex trafficking of children in the Bay Area. She said the organization does this by investigating potential sex-trafficking cases, assisting in the search and rescue of young girls, and targeting sex traffickers. Special Operations also provides direct assistance to victims, such as paying for food, clothing and counseling.

The organization has so far investigated five sex-trafficking cases, helped find and rescue five girls, and targeted two sex traffickers, according to its website.

The money raised at the tournament – held at Los Altos Golf & Country Club – will be spent on several things, the Special Operations founder said, including hiring private investigators to find and rescue kids from sex trafficking, helping victims escape by providing car services and hotels, and buying them food and clothing.

“Sex-trafficking crimes are growing faster,” she said. “It’s the fastest-growing business of organized crime in the world. The reason the crime never gets solved is because the crime is so hidden. One way to stop this crime is to spread awareness and to tell everybody, ‘Hey, this is going on.’”

To donate and for more information on Special Operations, visit wesavegirls.org.

Published: 25 December 2019 Written by Kaley Kwan – Town Crier Editorial Intern