The South Bay Coalition to End Human Trafficking (SBCEHT) is the local effort that responds to human trafficking in the counties of Santa Clara and San Benito in California. Utilizing a victim-centered approach, we are strengthening local capacity to respond to and identify human trafficking survivors. We are able to accept tax-deductible donations through our fiscal agent Community Solutions’ 501(c)(3) status.

Our vision is a world free from slavery.

Our goals are to:

Provide comprehensive services to victims of human trafficking
Raise awareness of human trafficking through community education and outreach
Provide professional training to service providers

2005: South Bay Coalition to End Human Trafficking is Formally Established

Throughout 2003 and 2004 the Coalition continued to meet informally and work collaboratively towards strengthening partnerships and enhancing victim services. We held our first official meeting in February 2005. Since then, we continue to meet monthly to ensure the continuity of our collaborative, victim-centered, trauma-informed approach to human trafficking. Over the past 15 years, our Coalition has developed multiple protocols to foster partnership with law enforcement, safely share information between agencies for emergency services, and build capacity across disciplines.

2005 – 2015: A Decade of Collaboration & Expansion

Since our beginning, we have expanded services, collected demographic and service data, documented the scope of local trafficking, and identified survivors’ needs. We produced collaborative manuals and trainings to better identify and serve victims with law enforcement, victim services, and legal services. Our members continue to participate in Santa Clara County’s Human Trafficking Commission workgroups. First held in 2013, our Bi-Annual Conference attracts speakers from across the region and nation while bringing together government representatives, investigators, victim services, and community members.

2016 – Today: Engaging Stakeholders and the Region

We took an active role in efforts leading up to the 2016 Super Bowl in Santa Clara, seeing it as an opportunity to garner public and political support for long-term regional work. The Coalition co-founded and facilitates the regional group, “No Traffick Ahead,” which was formed to focus on collective impact in the region engaging nine counties across the Bay Area.

We continue to be a voice of experience and conscience, urging partners to focus on victim-centered, trauma-informed responses, while reminding our community and first responders of the broad range of trafficking that may appear as everyday activities. We are meeting emerging challenges with creativity and collaborating with a common vision. To request more information about memberships or trainings, please contact us.