Fresno EOC and Consulate of Mexico in Fresno have made their collaboration agreement official. Fresno EOC’s Central Valley Against Human Trafficking (CVAHT) project provides support services to victims of slavery and trafficking in the counties of: Fresno, Kern, Kings, Madera, Merced and Tulare. In the interest of promoting respect for human rights, specialized victim services has been identified as a need for a considerable number of Mexican nationals in the US.
The official collaboration creates a framework to increase the protection and promotion of the rights of Mexican national victims of slavery and trafficking. The parties will coordinate workshops, courses and seminars for the Mexican community, to inform about the diverse legal and social resources available to assist victims of slavery and trafficking.
David Preciado, Head Consul at the Consulate of Mexico in Fresno, praised this new collaboration and declared that this strategic partnership is an accomplishment of the protection activities of the consulate. He declared, “It is important to work together to empower Mexican victims so that they can ask for help, without being afraid of repercussions based on their immigration status or other factors.”
“We are thrilled to celebrate this formal partnership and plan to increase opportunities to educate and empower Mexican national victims of human trafficking,” said Brian Angus, CEO, Fresno EOC.
“Working together we aim to increase the protection and promotion of the rights of Mexican nationals and human trafficking survivors identified here in our Central Valley,” said Michelle L. Tutunjian, Sanctuary Director, Fresno EOC. “Since 2010, we have identified 393 victims of human trafficking. Mexican nationals made up 73 of the 122 foreign national victims. The other 271 victims identified were of domestic origin.”
“It is important that victims are aware of their rights and know about the resources available to assist them to move into a future of freedom,” said Melissa Gomez, CVAHT Program Manager, Fresno EOC.
Help is available 24 hours a day for victims of human trafficking regardless of age, gender or immigration status. Call the National Human Trafficking Resource Center at 1-888-373-7888 or text “HELP” TO BEFREE (233733).