June 29, 2025 #1 Local News, Information and Event Source for the Century City/Westwood areas.

Sexually Exploited Children Often Return To Pimps Or Traffickers, Despite Safe Alternatives

sex-traffickingChildren who are sexually exploited often return to their pimps or traffickers, even when offered safe alternatives, county officials told the Board of Supervisors today.

As part of a program being expanded countywide, sheriff’s deputies have been trained not to arrest children working the streets, but to connect them to county agencies and community-based organizations that can help.

Sheriff Jim McDonnell and other county officials have adopted the slogan, “There is no such thing as a child prostitute.”

The Los Angeles County Law Enforcement First Responder Protocol for Commercially Sexually Exploited Children began as a pilot program with sheriff’s Compton and Century stations and Long Beach Police Department. Last month, it was rolled out to the Los Angeles Police Department’s 77th and Southeast divisions.

It is set to be expanded to include all Los Angeles County sheriff’s stations by August.

In its first 18 months of implementation, 81 youth have been “recovered” because of the protocol, according to Michelle Guymon, director of the Probation Department’s child sex trafficking unit.

However, “some of our AWOLs have increased after the initial (72-hour) time frame,” Supervisor Don Knabe said, before asking Guymon for an explanation.

“There are a variety of triggers” and kids “go back to their exploiter out of love or out of fear of consequences if they don’t go back,” Guymon said.

Sometimes it is as simple as parents or others not understanding what they’ve been through. In other cases, kids are “distrustful of the system,” the probation director said.

Diane Iglesias, a senior deputy director with the Department of Children and Family Services, told the board that some children are ready to be helped and others aren’t interested.

“What we’ve learned is … the kids come to us from different stages in the chain,” Iglesias said.

It’s important to realize that each child has individual issues to manage, Iglesias said. At first, she told the board, “We thought there’s a magic pill and we will find it … They will be safe and we will save them.”

Finding permanent placements is also important, as children who have been sexually exploited don’t fare well in group homes.

“These kids want a family, they really want a family and group homes are not a family,” Guymon said.

Supervisor Mark Ridley-Thomas urged employees to be “creative, imaginative, yet substantive” in trying to find placements for the children.

“There is tremendously positive work going on that is saving the lives and changing the lives of these young people,” Ridley-Thomas said. “I do not believe that one-size-fits-all.”

The child-centered protocol will be rolled out to the balance of the Los Angeles Police Department and 46 independent law enforcement agencies over the next two years.

Tags: in Crime, News
Related Posts

Iranian Pastor in West L.A. Speaks as Church Rocked by Immigration Raids 

June 28, 2025

June 28, 2025

Five Detained as Fear Spreads Through Persian Christian Faith Community  Fear has spread through a West Los Angeles congregation after...

Overdose Deaths Drop 22% in Los Angeles County, Marking Largest Decline on Record

June 28, 2025

June 28, 2025

Fentanyl Fatalities Fell 37% as County Ramps up Funding for Prevention, Treatment Drug overdose deaths in Los Angeles County declined...

Cinespia Brings Fireworks and Fan Favorites to Hollywood Forever This July

June 27, 2025

June 27, 2025

Watch Top Gun, La La Land, and More Under the Stars at Hollywood Forever Cinespia, Los Angeles’ iconic outdoor movie...

California Doubles Down on Hollywood: $750M in Tax Credits Approved for Film and TV Industry

June 27, 2025

June 27, 2025

State Lawmakers Back Major Expansion of Production Incentives, Raising Job Projections Los Angeles’ film and television industry is poised to...

Robbery Suspects Captured in Beverly Hills After License Plate Alert Triggers Pursuit

June 27, 2025

June 27, 2025

Foot Chase Ends in Arrests After ALPR Flags Robbery Vehicle in Beverly Hills An alert from the Beverly Hills Police...

EEEEEATSCON Los Angeles Returns with Star Chefs, Firefighter Tribute, and Wildfire Relief Efforts

June 27, 2025

June 27, 2025

Culinary Festival Features Exclusive Restaurant Collabs, Support for Small Businesses  EEEEEATSCON Los Angeles, the celebrated food festival curated by The...

Supporters to Gather This Weekend for Longtime Culver City Paleta Seller Held in Detention

June 27, 2025

June 27, 2025

Family and Neighbors Will Gather Sunday to Sell Paletas and Raise Funds Supporters will gather this Sunday at Veterans Park...

Suspect Charged by Los Angeles DA with Shooting of Santa Monica Cop and Teens

June 27, 2025

June 27, 2025

Faces Attempted Murder Charges and Over 100 Years to Life in Prison if Convicted. Criminal charges have been filed against...

Café UCLA Pops Up in Westwood to Honor Arthur Ashe’s Historic Wimbledon Win

June 27, 2025

June 27, 2025

Three-Day Celebration Includes Giveaways in Tribute to the Iconic Athlete and Activist UCLA will commemorate the 50th anniversary of Arthur...

Captain America Hits the Skirball Big Screen for Heroic Outdoor Movie Night

June 27, 2025

June 27, 2025

Museum-Goers Can Also Catch a Superhero-Themed Drawing Session The Skirball Cultural Center will host an outdoor screening of Captain America:...

Demolition Underway at Beverly Grove Squatter Site After Mystery Fire Renews Safety Fears

June 27, 2025

June 27, 2025

Crews Begin Tearing Down Long-Vacant Apartments on First and Flores  Demolition has begun at a group of long-abandoned apartment buildings...

(Video) Welcome to the Urban Jungle — where nature meets the city and style meets soul

June 26, 2025

June 26, 2025

Whether you’re chasing that gritty city energy or carving out a green oasis in your space, we’re here to help...

Santa Monica Police Arrest Shooting Suspect After Officer Ambushed Near Downtown Mall

June 26, 2025

June 26, 2025

Man Linked to Waymo Vehicle Gunfire Taken Into Custody Following Tense Manhunt The suspect wanted in connection with a shooting...

Brentwood Weekend Specials: $9 Wine & Street Tacos, Blush-Inspired Lattes & Beauty Swag

June 26, 2025

June 26, 2025

Street Tacos and Wine Meets Self-Care in Brentwood and Santa Monica Brentwood Fine Wines will welcome back local culinary favorite...

Michelin Stars Shine Bright on LA: Somni West Hollywood and Providence Earn Top Honors

June 26, 2025

June 26, 2025

Two Restaurants in Los Angeles Receive Three Stars as Michelin Guide Celebrates Bold Flavors The MICHELIN Guide California 2025 celebrated...