The girl was 11, with a learning disability. Her “boyfriend” was 29. He was brazenly trafficking her on the streets of Oakland.
The girl’s mother—a single mom who lived in low income housing—took intern Erica Hazlett aside at a children’s hospital. Was there something Erica could do to help her daughter? Please.
Erica was working at the hospital in California as part of her master’s degree in social work. Her job was to provide resources and help. “No problem,” she said.
She soon learned it wasn’t that simple. Her supervisor told her there were no homes or resources available for the trafficked pre-teen. And at that time, her legal options were limited. In short, there was almost nothing she could do….