By Stephanie Martin, KQED
As many as 325,000 U.S. children are at risk for being sexually exploited, according to one of the more reliable assessments. The FBI’s sting operation against child prostitution announced Monday included numerous sites in the Bay Area; 12 children across multiple counties were rescued.
Many children’s advocates consider Oakland, in particular, a hub for child prostitution. One reason experts cite Oakland is its relatively large number of group homes for a city of its size. Pimps know kids at group homes are vulnerable, and there are currently 16 such licensed facilities in the city.
KQED’s Stephanie Martin talked with Sarai Smith, program coordinator with the Alameda Family Services. Smith says her nonprofit is using public funds to build a different kind of group home — one designed specifically to protect at risk girls.
Read the complete story at KQED News Fix.
For more information on sex trafficking, read the S.F. Public Press report on human trafficking in the Bay Area.