Child trafficking in California has become an open-air humanitarian crisis, and the lack of action to stamp it out is a political scandal. California, and especially Los Angeles, has become the world capital of child sex trafficking. 

ENDING CHILD TRAFFICKING IN CALIFORNIA:

A Real Plan to Protect Children and
Take Back Our Streets

Child trafficking in California has become an open-air humanitarian crisis, and the lack of action to stamp it out a political scandal. California, and especially Los Angeles, has become the world capital of child sex trafficking. It is happening right under the noses of the leftist Hollywood elite who lecture everyone else while ignoring the abuse happening on their own streets. Children are being exploited in full view of the public while traffickers operate with almost no fear of consequences. Local vice units report a sharp rise in juvenile victims and say the tools they once relied on to rescue children have been stripped away. California has failed these kids. A serious governor must confront traffickers, restore basic enforcement, and fix the systems that leave children unprotected.

1. REVERSE SB 357 AND RESTORE THE ABILITY OF POLICE TO INTERVENE

SB 357, authored by Senator Scott Wiener, blocks officers from intervening even when they reasonably believe a minor is being trafficked. It was sold as preventing discrimination based on appearance, but its real effect has been to remove one of the only tools law enforcement had to rescue children. Trafficking has surged as a result.

As governor, Steve Hilton will demand repeal of SB 357. If the Legislature refuses, he will sue to strike it down because the state cannot carry out its constitutional duty to enforce the law and protect vulnerable children when officers are blocked from intervening in obvious trafficking situations. One way or another, this reckless law will end.

2. FIX THE FOSTER CARE AND PLACEMENT FAILURES THAT FEED MINORS TO TRAFFICKERS

A majority of trafficked children recovered in Los Angeles have a history in foster care or group homes. When three out of four rescued children return to their traffickers, the system is obviously exposing, not protecting them. California also spends heavily on state-run facilities and short-term placements that fail to keep children safe, while the programs that work receive little support.

As governor, Steve Hilton will overhaul how the state protects high-risk children using existing executive authority. He will require the Department of Children and Family Services to launch missing-youth rapid-response teams, mandate real-time alerts when a foster child disappears, and order audits of group homes with repeat runaway incidents. He will terminate contracts with unsafe facilities and redirect existing funds toward structured, long-term recovery homes that demonstrably protect minors from traffickers. These reforms can begin on day one.

3. IMPOSE REAL PENALTIES ON TRAFFICKERS AND THE MEN WHO BUY SEX FROM MINORS

California treats trafficking far too lightly. Men who buy sex from minors often face minimal consequences, and traffickers frequently avoid prison.

Steve Hilton will introduce legislation to strengthen penalties, but he will not wait for lawmakers. As governor, he will direct state prosecutors to prioritize trafficking cases involving children, seek maximum sentencing under current law, and treat men who buy sex from children as the serious offenders they are. He will also rebuild a statewide anti-trafficking task force through executive authority so cases are coordinated instead of ignored.

4. BRING IN FEDERAL PARTNERS AND DEMAND FEDERAL SUPPORT

Trafficking networks cross state lines and require federal tools to dismantle. Federal agencies have capabilities California is not using.

As governor, Steve Hilton will direct state law enforcement to fully cooperate with the FBI, Homeland Security Investigations, and the U.S. Marshals Service. He will request federal surge operations in major trafficking corridors and establish joint task forces focused on minors so traffickers cannot hide across jurisdictions. If federal partners identify gaps in state law, he will push to close them.

5. MAKE CALIFORNIA A HOSTILE ENVIRONMENT FOR TRAFFICKERS

California has allowed organized trafficking to spread because the state has refused to act. Steve Hilton will direct state investigative agencies to target trafficking corridors, establish trafficking suppression zones where state resources are concentrated, and rebuild investigative units within the executive branch. He will also back legislation requiring public quarterly reporting on rescues, prosecutions, and outcomes.

The goal is simple. Protect children. Shut down trafficking networks. Hold traffickers and the men who buy sex from minors fully accountable. Restore basic public safety.