VOALA Services for Minor Victims of Sex Trafficking Program

VOALA proposes to implement Sanctuary:Anaheim, designed to serve minor victims of sex trafficking, through a comprehensive case management approach that uses trauma-informed, strengths-based and victim-centered models. The program will use as its foundation VOALA’s effective Sanctuary program currently operating in Los Angeles and Pomona, expanding services to provide services in a new geographic area. The ultimate goal of Sanctuary:Anaheim will be to identify and engage minor victims of sex trafficking in Anaheim and enhance the quality and quantity of services available to them so that victims are able to achieve their individual goals and increase their feelings of safety and well-being. The project’s specific objectives include 1) provide services to meet the individualized needs of minor victims of sex trafficking in Anaheim; 2) collaborate with and provide training to local partners (including service providers, Anaheim Police Department, Orange County District Attorney’s Office, faith groups, schools, and other community-based organizations) to ensure trafficking victims are properly identified and referred for services; 3) provide direct assistance and referrals to essential services for minor victims of sex trafficking; and 4) complete necessary data collection and participate in assessment activities to determine if the program is meeting its stated goals and objectives.

The primary activities to be implemented for Sanctuary:Anaheim through VOALA and partner providers include: outreach, engagement, and safety planning; intake and assessment; intensive, victim-centered, trauma-informed case management; advocacy and legal assistance; education and employment assistance; life skills training; health-related services (physical health, mental health, substance abuse treatment); material and housing assistance (food, clothing, restrooms/showers, hygiene supplies, shelter); and support services (transportation, interpreter/translation services). In addition to direct client services, VOALA will work closely with law enforcement, prosecutors, and the Orange County Human Trafficking Task Force to refine and implement comprehensive response protocols to ensure minor victims of sex trafficking are referred to appropriate services. Lastly, VOALA will provide our specially-designed trafficking training program (Trafficking Awareness and Prevention, or TAP) to community and faith based organizations throughout Anaheim and Orange County to increase community capacity to identify minor victims of sex trafficking. 

VOALA will submit performance measure data and performance reports in JustGrants. Project activities will serve victims of trafficking in Orange County, California, with the program headquartered in Anaheim. Sanctuary:Anaheim will benefit minor victims of sex trafficking.