OAKLAND — Billboards and posters bearing the faces of former child sex trafficking victims and the stories of how they escaped a life of sexual exploitation will be popping up around Oakland as part of an extensive public awareness campaign.
Every citizen must be informed about the crisis and understand how to be part of the solution. The campaign, which is set to continue through Feb. But the district attorney emphasized that the minors involved in this type of crime are victims, not criminals — an important distinction she hopes the billboard and poster campaign makes clear.
Brantley said many of the child sex trafficking victims MISSSEY sees were sexually abused before being prostituted and have long family histories of domestic abuse. A large percentage are foster children or have come from otherwise unstable home environments, and are extremely vulnerable targets for pimps, who may lure their victims with promises of a safe home and a loving relationship, according to MISSSEY.
The posters will be put up in bus shelters, and the billboards will be displayed prominently along major thoroughfares in Oakland. A team of graphic designers and copywriters donated their time to design the images and messages on the posters and billboards, and Clear Channel Outdoor donated the advertising space.
Victims of child sex trafficking are urged to call the National Human Trafficking Resource Center at or for help. Share this: Click to share on Facebook Opens in new window Click to share on Twitter Opens in new window Click to print Opens in new window Click to email a link to a friend Opens in new window Click to share on Reddit Opens in new window.
