National City, Calif.--Human trafficking, the commercial and illegal trade of humans, is considered one of the fastest growing and most profitable industries of organized crime in the world next to drug smuggling.  Sex trafficking alone generates an estimated $7 billion profit annually

According to the U. S. Department of Health and Human Services, approximately 600,000 to 800,000 are brought in across international borders and of these, between 14,500 and 17,500 are trafficked in the United States each year. Unfortunately, more than half of these victims are women and children who suffer long-term or lifetime physical and psychological trauma and stress from the abuse of the perpetrators.

The Bilateral Safety Corridor Coalition (BSCC), a network of more than 60 community based organizations in San Diego, Imperial and Los Angeles Counties, was formed to serve as a safety net to victims of this hideous crime.

Samahan Clinic, a member of the coalition, has been funded by The Rescue and Restore Sub-Unity Award through BSCC, to conduct outreach as well as provide health care relief to victims in South and North Central San Diego.  The funding has enabled the clinic to develop its capacity to provide group information as well as counseling to its clients on how to identify a victim as well as provide appropriate referrals and community resources to them.

Irene Gallardo, Samahan National Clinic manager said, “We are offering this program to our community to let them know that help is available to those who need it.”

For additional information regarding this program, please contact Irene Gallardo at 619.474.2284.  Or if you need immediate assistance please contact BSCC at 619.666.2757. Or the National Hotline at 1-888-3737-888.