Alameda County prosecutor teams up with charities to help human trafficking victims

SAN FRANCISCO (KGO) -- Alameda County's top prosecutor announced Tuesday that she is teaming up with Catholic charities to house victims of sex trafficking.

District Attorney Nancy O'Malley explained the unprecedented effort at the Oakland Cathedral.

Both organizations will raise money to open a safe house for exploited girls who will get medical care and counseling there.

The young girls, mostly runaways, will also get lessons on basic social skills. "They probably don't know how to make a bed, make a meal, clean a house, that sort of thing. So, we are going to be providing all of those types of services for them," Catholic Charities East Bay spokesperson Chuck Fernandez said.

About 20 girls will live at the center when it opens next year.

Catholic charities plans to open more safe houses in the future.