Crime Victims Rights Week ceremony spotlights human trafficking in Ventura County

In recognition of National Crime Victims Rights Week, Ventura County officials gathered Thursday to highlight local efforts to combat human trafficking.

For the first time in over 40 years, the annual ceremony was held in the eastern part of the county at Simi Valley City Hall. Ventura County District Attorney Erik Nasarenko introduced the the event by noting its history, which began in 1981 after President Ronald Reagan proclaimed April as the month to recognize crime victims rights.

“It's fitting that at the home of the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library — the city of Simi Valley — we give voice, hope and strength to crime victims,” Nasarenko said.

In her keynote remarks, Deputy District Attorney Rikole Kelly spoke of all the ways in which human trafficking manifests, from illicit massage parlors to labor exploitation of agricultural and domestic workers.

“By educating ourselves and becoming aware of the red flags and what human trafficking actually looks like, we can help to root out this specific crime,” said Kelly, who works in the human trafficking unit.

The second address was by Alia DeWees, a Ventura County resident and human trafficking survivor who now works with several nonprofits as a survivor advocate. In a short video, Dewees recalled the moment she left her trafficker when she was dropped by the side of the road without her phone or shoes because she did not comply with his demands.

Dewees said her experiences led to a career working with survivors to assist their exit from trafficking, not out of a sense of justice for herself but as a means to help others undergoing similar situations.

“It has always been about what is still happening to other people and getting to be a part of their journey towards (exiting trafficking), justice and survivorship,” Dewees said. “Everyone who enters this field as a survivor is performing an act of sacrifice and service.”

Nasarenko provided Dewees with the ceremony's Resilience Award in recognition of her advocacy. Three other individuals were given the Justice for Victims Awards to highlight their efforts to assist crime victims, especially those who are survivors of human trafficking.

Two of the awards went to law enforcement, Simi Valley Police Detective Kellyn King and Ventura County Sheriff's Detective Kathryn “Katie” Torres. King has served as Simi Valley police's liaison with the Family Justice Center and focuses on domestic violence, child abuse and human trafficking cases. Torres is currently part of a grant-funded human trafficking task force.

The final award went to Dr. Anthony Walls, a physician who works with survivors at the Family Justice Center to address the health needs of human trafficking survivors and other crime victims.

In keeping with tradition, the event concluded with a commemorative march around the building to show solidarity amongst all attendees toward advancing and protecting crime victims rights.

Jeremy Childs is the East County Reporter for the Ventura County Star, covering the communities of Thousand Oaks, Moorpark and Simi Valley. He occasionally covers courts, public safety and breaking news. He can be reached at 805-437-0208, [email protected], and on Twitter @Jeremy_Childs.

This article originally appeared on Ventura County Star: Crime Victims Rights Week ceremony spotlights human trafficking