Thurston County officials are urging residents to confront the pervasive issue of human trafficking, as the Thurston County Board of Health adopted a proclamation on Tuesday, Jan. 14, recognizing January as National Human Trafficking Prevention Month.
The proclamation sheds light on the ongoing crisis of human trafficking across the county and calls for increased awareness, education and collaborative efforts to address exploitation.
Jen Freheit, Director of Public Health and Social Services, underscored the urgency of addressing trafficking in Thurston County.
“It is very pertinent that we announce this proclamation for human trafficking month, as there are still concerns in western county. It’s still very much a local issue. It’s still very much a present issue," Freheit said.
Chelsea Keefe, statewide coordinating body program manager at Innovations Human Trafficking Collaborative (IHTC), shared insights into the local trafficking landscape.
Keefenoted that many cases originate from intimate partner relationships where domestic violence escalates into exploitation.
Based on the IHTC’s findings, survivors often fail to recognize the transition and do not see themselves as victims of trafficking, delaying their access to help.
Traffickers often use Thurston County's ports and highways to move victims across regions, officials said. The infrastructure provides quick exit routes, making it easier for traffickers to evade detection.
Board member Tanzania Zenzali-Marshall raised concerns about the role of ports in facilitating trafficking and asked for more data on regional trends.
In response, Keefe detailed that IHTC currently serves more than 100 survivors across Thurston, Pierce, Lewis and Mason counties.
Keefe also explained that ports often facilitate labor trafficking.
“There was a group of foreign nationals just last year that we were able to help because they were identified at the port,” said Keefe, noting that traffickers use major highways to move victims quickly.
“They often move survivors when they feel that law enforcement or the communities are onto them.”
While sex trafficking remains the predominant form of exploitation in Thurston County, Keefe acknowledged that labor trafficking is also a concern.
Board members expressed concerns about the increasing presence of illicit massage parlors, which are often linked to trafficking operations.
Keefe stressed the importance of collaboration with law enforcement in tackling massage parlor trafficking.
“I think listening to law enforcement is really the key when it comes to massage parlors because law enforcement has to be able to get in and to address and to rescue those survivors while also convicting the traffickers, which is something that’s very hard to do,” she said.
She cited national data showing that over 200 illicit massage parlors are currently operating in Seattle alone.
Commissioner Carolina Mejia highlighted the importance of community awareness in addressing human trafficking.
Drawing from her experience in immigration, Mejia shared how she assisted survivors through the T visa process, which provides legal status to victims of trafficking.
“This is also an issue. When I got first, I guess, really involved with it was in my past life when I was working in the immigration field, and I helped so many survivors with the T visa process and learned just how wide trafficking actually goes from hotel cleaning — I had clients from there to agricultural workers,” Mejia said.
Seeking to empower residents with knowledge, Mejia asked Keefe to outline indicators of trafficking and how to report suspicious activity to authorities.
Keefe explained that trafficking indicators vary depending on the type of exploitation.
For labor trafficking, signs include businesses that open and close quickly, employees living at their workplace, and workers appearing to be under employer control.
Additional red flags include employers holding workers’ documents or dictating their living arrangements.
Regarding sex trafficking, Keefe noted that it can involve sex in exchange for anything of value, such as drugs, shelter or food.
“It doesn’t have to be ongoing. It can be a one-time incident, but it can be for drugs, it can be for a place to sleep that night, for food or anything that that person is needing,” she said.
Keefe also outlined how survivors connect with IHTC through referrals from police, other agencies, and the organization’s helpline.
Survivors can also access IHTC’s services through an online submission form for people unable to make a phone call.
Thurston County officials adopted a proclamation on Tuesday, Jan. 14, 2025, recognizing January as Human Trafficking Prevention Month.
Photo courtesy of Thurston County Board of Health
In recognition of January as Human Trafficking Prevention Month, the county officials issued a proclamation describing human trafficking as “a public health issue and a crime that exploits the most vulnerable members and weakens the health and well-being of individuals, families, and communities of generations.”
The proclamation calls for a stronger community response by prioritizing public education, expanding survivor services, and building partnerships with local organizations and law enforcement.
Residents are urged to remain vigilant and report suspicious activities to authorities.
6 comments on this item Please log in to comment by clicking here
MisPeeps
Residents are urged to remain vigilant and report suspicious activities to authorities.
That statement is pretty vague. I think it would really help if the public had actual direction. Like a phone number to report it to, and know that the people on the other end of the line are going to take this seriously.
Thanks!
Wednesday, January 15 Report this
Honestyandrealityguy
I have volunteered for 3 organizations that help fight Human Trafficking. The number one cause is illegal immigration. Many of the small children saved "just want to go home". Why do the Democrats allow this?
Wednesday, January 15 Report this
Overtaxed
How many Massage parlors are operating in Olympia, Tumwater, Lacey area ?
What is being done about the problem ?
Thursday, January 16 Report this
OlyBlues
Typical Thurston County Government fanfare, fancy press release and proclamation, and Crisis Carolina chiming in to boot! I am surprised Carolina did not move to declare Human Trafficking a crisis like she has designated many other issues since joining the board from her important role as a Judicial Assistant and work at a private law firm. Such incredible qualifications to lead the county and make $150K plus a year. So what is the county REALLY doing to combat HT? Are they running sting operations to rescue victims? Are they funding services to survivors? What is the true scope of the problem from the county's data? Lots of county fanfare and bling here with no substance. Typical county operation.
Thursday, January 16 Report this
wildnature
The coffee selling shacks around the county with partially glad young ladies should also be a red flag. !!!!
Thursday, January 16 Report this
William M
She drones on and on without stating anything other than the county and the state have a human trafficking problem. The red flags were helpful, but what should the average citizen do if they see the red flags? If they call law-enforcement, will they respond? She calls out illicit massage parlors, but she doesn't tell us which massage parlors are legitimate. Is there a list of illicit massage parlors? If they have been identified as illicit, then why haven't they been shut down?
Thursday, January 16 Report this