Mag Nicola, Chief District Attorney of North County

Mag Nicola, Chief District Attorney of the North Santa Barbara County offices joined us for a continuation of last year’s successful and informative program on human trafficking. He shared with us what is currently happening in Santa Barbara County to combat the activity and how the District Attorney’s Office is working to help with young victims. The DA’s Office and local Santa Maria Police Dept. have received special training in how to recognize, intervene, treat, support, and prosecute everyone involved in these crimes. They are all working closely together with one another, the Chamber of Commerce, and the local community to help prevent these crimes, which have become much more prevalent in our community. An interesting note: instead of arresting the young girls (or boys) who are truly “victims” for prostitution, they are handling the situations differently, to enable them to help the victims and capture and prosecute the perpetrators. This adaptation in the law allows the victims to get good help and support, rather than punishing them for (what this author calls) survival activities. Human Trafficking is a quickly rising, very lucrative crime involving many people on many levels, and requires much cooperation and education of the many who are involved in the handling of these crimes, criminals, victims, and others. We feel most grateful for the work that Mag Nicola, the DA’s office, the Santa Maria Police Dept., and the local community are doing to handle this issue, to keep people safe, to help others.

We were joined by many from the Lompoc AAUW Branch … thanks for coming!

Thursday, November 5th, 7—9 p.m.
Merrill Gardens Actvity Theater
1220 Suey Road

Dessert and Beverages. Cost $10.00 Reservations please