Today I walked up to Balboa Park to experience the 5th Annual Human Trafficking Awareness Rally. The event was organized by the Junior League of San Diego, and brought together most of the key players in San Diego’s fight against human trafficking.
While legislative progress has been made in the fight, the terrible problem of human trafficking persists. I learned San Diego sees far too much of this type of crime because of our city’s proximity to the Mexican border and its status as a popular tourist destination.
Many tables were set up at the event containing literature about how concerned citizens can take action. Everyone was encouraged to spread the word and increase awareness and involvement throughout the community.
I thought my blog could possibly provide a bit of help. Here are eight things that you can do to learn about and fight against human trafficking in San Diego:
1. Learn how to recognize victims of human trafficking. The following three photos contain vital information that you can use and share.
2. Support the Alabaster Jar Project. This organization empowers survivors of human trafficking and sexual exploitation. They provide a safe living environment and transitional housing, plus an array of support services and educational opportunities. Located in San Diego’s North County.
3. Become involved with CAT, or Churches Against Trafficking, a network of churches in San Diego that together provide service, resources and prayer to help solve a difficult problem in our community.
4. Support the Lynch Foundation For Children. They are working to prevent human trafficking through education. They also assist in locating and recovering runaway children, and support victims’ services.
5. Learn about and possibly volunteer with the Bilateral Safety Corridor Coalition (BSCC), an alliance of government and nonprofit agencies in the United States and Latin America convened along the U.S.-Mexico Border Region to combat slavery and human trafficking. Their 24-hour Emergency Trafficking Hotline is 619-666-2757. The hotline serves victims of trafficking, community clinics and doctors, social service agencies, concerned citizens and law enforcement personnel.
6. Visit the Sex Trafficking Resource Center page of the San Diego Public Library website and learn more facts about this difficult but very important subject. The web page includes a variety of resources, including helpful links specifically for youth.
7. Visit the San Diego District Attorney’s human trafficking online page. It’s a resource that contains a good deal of vital information, including Signs of Human Trafficking, What You Can Do, Community Resources and Safety Tips.
8. Check out these other local shelters and organizations. They need mentors, volunteers and resources:
Children of the Immaculate Heart
PLNU Beauty for Ashes Scholarship Fund
…
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This post is very informative and helpful, thank you. Human trafficking is such a corrupt and strong-rooted problem. We will need every person we can find to help eradicate it completely.
I recently wrote about human trafficking as well, I’ve linked the post if you are interested in reading or following.
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Your blog post was great!
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Thank you for both checking it out and for spreading awareness yourself!
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San Diego is a trafficking hub.
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Unfortunately.
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Thanks for sharing, Richard. Very important information. –Curt
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I hope this blog post might help somebody.
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Likewise, Richard.
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good for you
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Hopefully, good for others!
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absolutely right — that is the point
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Great post! These are some great tips to fight and prevent human trafficking. It’s really encouraging to see the positive impact being made in the community by these volunteers. I think spreading awareness and educating others is one of the best ways for people to stand up against human trafficking. These are also some good resources for people who want to help prevent or educate themselves on the subject of human trafficking. What kind of changes have you seen since starting this awareness campaign, and how has it impacted the community of San Diego?
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I’m just a San Diego blogger who is trying in a small way to help out. The annual event includes a combination of concerned organizations, politicians, and law enforcement. As I understand it, the fight to end human trafficking is difficult and ongoing…
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