Mayor's Task Force on Human Trafficking - June 20, 2014 - Meeting Minutes
Mayor’s Task Force on Human Trafficking
Illicit Massage Parlor Subcommittee Meeting Minutes
Friday, June 20, 2014 12:30 pm – 2:00 pm
25 Van Ness Avenue, Room 330A, San Francisco, CA
Minouche Kandel, Director of Women’s Policy, Department on the Status of Women
Amanda Berger, Coordinator SPOC, SF Demand Collaborative
Beverly May, Director of Government Affairs, California Massage Therapy Council
Valerie Lopez, Legal Intern CAO, Health Team, SF City Attorney’s Office
Christina Wa, Legal Intern, CAO, Health Team, SF City Attorney’s Office
Cyndy Comerford, Manager of Planning and Policy, SF Department of Public Health
Dyanna Quizon, Legal Aide, Supervisor Katy Tang
Julius DeGuia, Managing Attorney, SF District Attorney Office
Partima Gupta, Medical Director, St James Infirmary
Ed Walsh, Sr. Environmental Health Inspector, SF Department of Public Health—Environmental Health
Kristen D’Angelo, former sex worker
Ellyn Bell, Executive Director, Sage
I. Welcome & Introductions & Agenda Review
The meeting was called to order at 12:32 pm by Minouche Kandel. Attendees introduced
themselves. The agenda was approved.
II. Enforcing SB 1193 (Trafficking Notice) Update
A. Report on April 5 Day of Action
Kandel introduced SB 1193, a bill that requires designated businesses to display an anti-
human trafficking poster. On March 6, 2014, the poster was sent to 687 San Francisco
businesses with an explanation of its purpose and consequences for non-compliance. She
reported on the April 5, 2014 city wide check of bars, hospitals, and adult establishments for
the presence of the poster. Kandel reported issues with the time frame of the check, which
took place in the afternoon when many of the businesses were closed. Many of the
businesses also reported that they had not received the copy of the poster sent in March.
Only 10% of businesses had the poster up at the time of check.
B. Update from Department of Public Health on Enforcement
25 Van Ness Avenue, Suite 240 | San Francisco, CA 94102 | sfgov.org/dosw | dosw@sfgov.org | 415.252.2570
Ed Walsh reported that the Department of Public Health (DPH) is issuing citations for public
hearings to massage parlors for non-compliance with SB 1193. Kandel inquired whether DPH
must first issue a note with direction to correct before issuing a citation. Kandel stated that
a business may be fined 30 days after a statute to correct has been issued. Walsh stated that
the posters should have already been posted. Kandel mentioned that the posters sent out in
March were informational and did not include a warning.
Cyndy Comerford reported that inspectors experience difficulty checking for the presence of
SB 1193. Walsh suggested adding “human trafficking poster” to the inspection checklist as a
reminder to inspectors to look for the poster. Kandel inquired if this entry is on the checklist
for bar inspections. Walsh mentioned that new inspection checklists are not made, and thus
cannot be edited, before the current supply is exhausted.
Kristen DiAngelo inquired what the desired results of SB 1193 are. Kandel stated that the
legislation is state law and is intended to have the dual purpose of informing both the
general public and victims of trafficking about trafficking and resources for victims. She
reported that it is too early to know whether the desired effect has been reached because
many businesses have not heard about it yet. Kandel acknowledges that the language on the
poster is not particularly survivor friendly. D’Angelo stated that many trafficking victims will
believe the trafficking hotline on the poster to be similar to calling 911, and will regard it as
unhelpful. Kandel states that the poster isn’t perfect, and that this subject will be further
addressed later in the agenda.
Ellyn Bell suggested the use of small cards and stickers as an effective supplement to SB
1193. Kandel asked to save this for later in the meeting. Kandel inquires whether it is
possible to add a checkbox to the inspection sheet for bars covered by the SF 48 statute
(those that do not serve food). Comferford stated that she would bring up the topic at the
next meeting to determine if it is feasible.
Comerford reported on the final stages of working with the state assembly on amending AB
47, a bill that would allow a law enforcement agency to issue a yellow alert if a person has
been seriously injured or killed due to a hit-and-run incident and they have information
concerning the suspect or their vehicle. Comerford reported working to amend the
regulations of the bill, specifically to return all enforcement back to local agencies
concerning permitting licensing and land use control. Comerford states that the bill will
ideally go to vote in August, and in the event of its passing, DPH will alter local legislation to
revert the changes made last year regarding KPAC restrictions.
III. Update on State Massage Parlor Legislation
IV. Informing Cards/Materials to Distribute
Kandel stated that reports received by Inspector Florez indicate that few women feel safe
coming forward to acknowledge that they were sex trafficked as a result of massage parlor
inspections. She added that it is likely victims may never go forward to the police, but it is
2 | San Francisco Department on the Status of Women
possible to determine whether there is another method of material distribution that would be
DiAngelo expressed that SB 1193, and other distributions of printed materials, may not be cost
effective methods of increasing human trafficking reports. She cited that the police have
historically arrested sex workers, so asking sex workers to trust police is unrealistic. DiAngelo
also stated that it is unrealistic to expect citizens who witness trafficking to take action, as
customers who become aware of it avoid involvement. She reported on instances of a trafficker
forcing a worker to post images of other trafficked women online, which resulted in the worker
being convicted as a trafficker.
Kandel inquired what measures would be effective in changing the perception of law
enforcement as being unable to help victims of trafficking. DiAngelo suggested that police
demonstrate their strength when they enter a facility to convey that they are stronger than the
trafficker. She suggested doing so through a large display of strength, and to make it clear to
every worker in the building that help and safety will be provided for them and their relatives if
they choose to report trafficking.
Valerie Lopez stated that the reason the industry exists is that there is a demand for it. Kandel
stated that this is next on the agenda.
Kandel reported that T Visas, which are temporary visas issued to victims of human trafficking
and immediate family members that allow them to remain in the United States if they testify
against their perpetrator, are available to women being trafficked. Kandel inquired whether
dispersing more information regarding T Visa eligibility would allow more victims to come
forward. DiAngelo answered that she believes if trafficking victims knew they would not be
deported, they would report trafficking more readily.
DiAngelo stated that the most effective way to communicate with workers in the sex industry is
through word of mouth. She also emphasized that the SB 1193 poster is inefficient for victims of
trafficking, because it doesn’t say they have rights or are valuable human beings.
Amanda Berger asked what the level of communication and coordination between community
groups, law enforcement, and DPH is in San Francisco. DiAngelo replied that she will not report a
victim of trafficking to law enforcement. Pratima Gupta stated that women such as DiAngelo are
needed to act as a communicator between the sex worker community, DPH, and law
Ellyn Bell reported that her organization receives few referrals from law enforcement. She
emphasized the necessity to protect victims of trafficking from retaliation if they report a
Dyanna Quizon mentioned the necessity of publicizing T Visas and ensuring that victims gain
access to organizations like Sage. Kandel inquired to DiAngelo whether it would be useful to
distribute flyers from the police or DPH with information on how to get help. DiAngelo replied
that this method of communication will not be effective, due to the sex work community’s
negative impression of law enforcement. She stated that instead, spreading information that
victims have a right to control over their own lives and do not have to do anything they don’t
3 | San Francisco Department on the Status of Women
want to. Bell stated that her materials are more user-friendly and feature a cartoon character.
They list victims’ rights in four languages.
DiAngelo suggested that written materials are not cost effective, especially because the sex
work community mainly communicates online. For instance, workers notify others about
predators in the area on verification sites. DiAngelo stated that many workers in massage
parlors work there of their own volition. She said that there is a small window of opportunity
when trafficked women look for assistance, and that if the system of helping them is not
efficient they will stop seeking help. Gupta reported that current work does not include
advocacy, only street based outreach and testing.
Kandel proposed the group break into smaller work groups to expand and experiment with the
effectiveness of the work that they are doing to inform people. DiAngelo mentioned that she
knows many of the people who run the online sites that sex workers use. Gupta proposed using
these “boards” to advertise materials informing trafficking victims of their rights. She suggested
monitoring the amount of clicks the materials received to measure their effectiveness. Quizon
suggested also using social media websites to advertise. She mentioned they may be eager to
advertise for free, because they often look for ways to support the city.
DeGuia inquired whether there are advocates who enter massage parlors. Kandel stated that
they are unaware of any San Francisco advocates going out. DeGuia stated that advocates do
not enter with police, which prevents a connection between law enforcement with advocates.
V. Addressing Coercive Buyers/Traffickers
Berger reported on the Hunt Alternative fund, which is subsidized by Swanee Hunt, a former US
Ambassador to Austria. The fund is interested in eliminating issues around the commercial sex
industry and sex trafficking. Their national initiative, Demand Abolition, oversees the Pilot Cities
Project, which looks at innovative strategies for targeting the commercial sex industry, sex
trafficking, and buyers. Chicago, Denver, Boston, and San Francisco are participants in Pilot
Cities. In San Francisco, the project consists of Sage, SF Attorney’s Office, SFPD, and the
Department. The San Francisco project has four strategies (and a tentative fifth): utilizing law
enforcement to focus on buyers looking to purchase sex from minors, expanding and adding to
Sage’s sex diversion program, promoting prevention education in public schools, and increasing
public education, awareness, and communication. Berger mentioned that Michael Wagner will
be coming in as a consultant in the fall. He is interested in initially targeting buyers in specific
Berger addressed that that the Hunt fund has acknowledged San Francisco’s unique issues and
approaches to the commercial sex industry and sex trafficking industry. The Hunt fund allotted
San Francisco the freedom to use the grant in a way that is most effective for the city’s specific
needs. Despite this, the grant is focused on prevention measures instead of support services for
those who leave the sex industry.
Comerford inquired whether the goal of the grant is to prosecute and expose criminals or to
enhance public awareness. Berger replied that the goal is target violent coercive buyers.
4 | San Francisco Department on the Status of Women
Berger stated that the project’s title maj change from “Demand Abolition” to “Demand Pilot
Cities”. DeGuia asked how sex workers share information about rapists. DiAngelo stated that
there have been 238 rapes of sex workers in the Bay Area this year. She cited a case in which a
man had raped at least 25 women until he was caught. DiAngelo said that he was only
prosecuted for one, and got off on a technicality. DeGuia inquired as to what the best way to
engage with the sex worker community is to encourage them to testify against rapists. DiAngelo
replied that ensuring confidentiality and that you are not there to hurt them is necessary.
Kandel mentioned that the District Attorney is discussing trying to implement a proposal that
would prevent a witness of a crime regarding illegal sex activity from prosecution.
DeGuia reported that safety must be at the forefront of combatting commercial sex work and
trafficking. He said this is the primary issue regarding sex work, not the sex work itself. He added
that they introduced employees of the Hunt foundation to a new way of thinking. They left
encouraging the city to innovate in a method utilitarian for us.
DiAngelo encouraged avoiding using the Hunt name, because there are religious connotations to
A. Next meeting date, time, location
The group set a meeting date for XXXXXXXXXXXXXX
The meeting was adjourned at 1:58 pm.
B. Agenda for next meeting
