Bakersfield proclaims January 2026 Human Trafficking Awareness Month; survivor urges coordinated, trauma-informed response
January 08, 2026 | Bakersfield, Kern County, California
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Mayor Karen K. Goh read a city proclamation designating January 2026 as Human Trafficking Awareness Month in Bakersfield and presented it to Dustin Contreras, co‑director of the Current Coalition Against Human Trafficking (KCAT).
The proclamation, read aloud at the Jan. 7 council meeting, described trafficking as a growing criminal enterprise and called on residents and partners to support anti‑trafficking professionals and coordinated local response. Mayor Goh invited KCAT to accept the recognition on behalf of community partners.
"This proclamation matters because the threat is real, and our response must stay coordinated," Dustin Contreras told the council. Contreras highlighted recent multiagency operations led by the Bakersfield Police Department that resulted in arrests and victim recoveries in 2025 and said KCAT emphasizes a survivor‑centered approach that links victims to advocates and services early.
Ofelia Flores, introduced by KCAT, spoke about her experience as a survivor of childhood trafficking and addiction and urged culturally responsive, trauma‑informed support for tribal and rural communities. "When survivors are met with trauma informed advocates ... people don't just survive a crisis. They begin to stabilize and heal," Flores said.
Contreras thanked local law enforcement, victim service providers and community organizations for partnership and noted recognition given to the BPD vice detail for its victim‑centered work. He called on the city and county to continue coordinated prevention, protection, prosecution and partnership efforts.
The proclamation does not itself create new programs or funding; it is a ceremonial recognition and an invitation to sustained collaboration among the city, law enforcement and nonprofit partners. Council members and staff present thanked KCAT and the survivor‑advocate speakers for their work and for raising public awareness.
The council meeting materials include the full text of the proclamation and a list of community partners acknowledged by KCAT.
The proclamation, read aloud at the Jan. 7 council meeting, described trafficking as a growing criminal enterprise and called on residents and partners to support anti‑trafficking professionals and coordinated local response. Mayor Goh invited KCAT to accept the recognition on behalf of community partners.
"This proclamation matters because the threat is real, and our response must stay coordinated," Dustin Contreras told the council. Contreras highlighted recent multiagency operations led by the Bakersfield Police Department that resulted in arrests and victim recoveries in 2025 and said KCAT emphasizes a survivor‑centered approach that links victims to advocates and services early.
Ofelia Flores, introduced by KCAT, spoke about her experience as a survivor of childhood trafficking and addiction and urged culturally responsive, trauma‑informed support for tribal and rural communities. "When survivors are met with trauma informed advocates ... people don't just survive a crisis. They begin to stabilize and heal," Flores said.
Contreras thanked local law enforcement, victim service providers and community organizations for partnership and noted recognition given to the BPD vice detail for its victim‑centered work. He called on the city and county to continue coordinated prevention, protection, prosecution and partnership efforts.
The proclamation does not itself create new programs or funding; it is a ceremonial recognition and an invitation to sustained collaboration among the city, law enforcement and nonprofit partners. Council members and staff present thanked KCAT and the survivor‑advocate speakers for their work and for raising public awareness.
The council meeting materials include the full text of the proclamation and a list of community partners acknowledged by KCAT.
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