Mayor’s Task Force on Anti-Human Trafficking Minutes

Wednesday June 24, 2015 1:30 – 3:30 pm

City Hall, Room 305   

1 Dr. Carlton B Goodlett Place, San Francisco, CA 94102

Attendees:

Tara Anderson, SFDA; Robin Brasso, NCJW; Mollie Brown, Huckleberry Youth Programs; Irene Casanova, Larkin Street; Vanema Cerda, SFDA-Victim Services; Susanna Choi, Love Never Fails; Lorena De Jesus, SFJPD; Christy Dieterich, SFDPH Newcomers; Antonio Flores, SFPD – SVU; Jonathan Frieman, Marin Trafficking Coalition; Kelly Gilliam, Nalls Foundation; Pratima Gupta, St James Infirmary; Carletta Jackson-Lane, Sojourner Truth; Minouche Kandel, DOSW; Lani Kent, Mayor’s Office; Antonia Lavine, SFCAHT; Jessica Li, SF Safe House; Melissa Millsaps, City Attorney’s Office; Dr. Emily Murase, DOSW; Leah Price, APILO; Beverley Popek, OLSE; Venus Rodriguez, Not for Sale; Ed Santos, SFPD – SVU; Vanessa Scott, Love Never Fails; Vicki Wong, City Attorney.

Agenda for today’s meeting approved.

Minutes from April 29, 2015 approved.

Presentation on 1st Mayor’s Task Force Report on Human Trafficking

Julie Lim, Policy Fellow at the Department on the Status of Women, presented the findings from the first draft of the 1st Mayor’s Task Force Report on Human Trafficking. Members of the Task Force indicated that a section on prevention is needed in the report, along with a more consistent definition of trafficking.

Reviewing Draft of Media Policy

Sage Fanucchi-Funes, Policy Intern at the Department on the Status of Women, presented a draft of a proposed media policy developed to give guidelines to any city department allowing media coverage of human trafficking inspections/investigations. The policy arose out of concerns following the MSNBC segment, “Sex Slaves,” and suggestions from the Massage Parlor subcommittee. Members of the Task Force gave feedback on the policy, and discussed issues around consent, language access, and constitutional rights. A PDF of the policy will be emailed out and the Department requested feedback by August 1.

Briefing on City Attorney Law Suit Against Back Page

Elizabeth Pederson from the City Attorney’s Office updated the Task Force on the progress of the law suit against Back Page. Doe v. Back Page is a private law suit brought against the website Back Page by three plaintiffs in Massachusetts. All three of the plaintiffs were underage girls who were trafficked using the website for many years. The allegations stated that the website was actively involved in supporting trafficking. The City Attorney filed an amicus brief to support the plaintiffs.

Update on Child Sex Trafficking Protocol & 24 Hour CSEC Response

Minouche Kandel updated the Task Force that Family and Children’s Services is in the process of developing a protocol for CSEC. The Family and Children’s Services hotline will be the funnel for the identification of CSEC when they are identified by police or another city department or non-profit agency. The plan will be forwarded to the state Department of Social Services by the end of June. Dr. Emily Murase spoke about the new funding in the City’s budget for a peer-based 24 hour response for CSEC.

Update from Super Bowl Committee

Minouche Kandel updated the Task Force on the activities of the Super Bowl Committee.  The Department on the Status of Women is working with experts to develop an online training that will be hosted by Stanford University in the form of a Massive Open Online Course (MOOC) that will be free and open to anyone.  There will be particular outreach to restaurants and hotels to encourage them to train staff on human trafficking. Stanford will keep track of the training and give certificates to participating individuals. This will fit very well with the No Traffick Ahead resolution that will leverage the City’s buying power by encouraging the City to host event at a restaurant or hotels that have trained staff on human trafficking and audited their supply chains for risk of trafficking.

Updated Presentation on Love Never Fails New Housing Program

Vanessa Scott presented on the growth of the Love Never Fails housing program. The house opened March 16 and is set up for five women and up to 10 children. All programs and staff are trauma informed and trained at a 40 hour minimum requirement.

Next Meeting                                

Next meeting: August 26, 2015, 1:30—3:30 pm; City Hall room 305

Agenda for next meeting:

• Vote on the report on trafficking;

• Revisit media policy.