We are a group of concerned parents, citizens, businesses, and youth/family agencies taking a stand against human trafficking.

Join the fight.

It is our goal to provide the resources and information you need to be educated about Sex Trafficking, especially as regards local youth. Join us Saturday, April 14th from 9am to 3pm as we endeavor to educate our community about the realities of Human Trafficking occurring locally and near us. Opal Singleton, President, and CEO of Million Kids + the Director of Development for Rapha House International, will be our Keynote Speaker as we gather together at ESRI in Redlands, CA to discuss this critical social issue. We believe education and awareness can help put an end to the (s)exploitation of innocent youth in the Inland Empire. We believe that together we can make a difference.

Help us help others
defend the rights of the vulnerable.

Stats from PolarisProject.org

About

We are a collaboration of parents, local businesses, and youth/family services agencies striving to improve our communities by using education and partnerships to address problems head-on. One such issue is the Human Trafficking of minors. Growing exponentially around us, sex trafficking is an intimidating topic, but it cannot be ignored any longer.

The reality is that we live in a world where children are stolen or coerced into a life of abuse and slavery for the financial benefit of others. Words fall short of accurately explaining the hurts and horrors these children experience, but we must do our best to find language for it.

We are passionate about advancing the support and education of others in this crucial matter and believe it is our mission to act as guardians for the young and guides to lead them on a safe path.

We hope to share information regarding this growing threat to our youth and how you can help. Educate yourself and join the fight as we seek protection for the innocent. Stand with us to put an end to this horrible industry. Unite with us to rescue the lives of our young.

We believe this issue affects everyone and that it is our duty as businessmen and women, as members of this earth, this nation, this state, this community, to help. We believe we can – and must – help. If we don’t intercede on behalf of the innocent, who will?

To increase the public’s awareness of the prevalence and means of sexual exploitation of children and youth.

To encourage prevention and early intervention strategies that enhance family and youth resiliency throughout the region.

To improve the coordination of services that prevent, discourage, and intervene in the sexual exploitation of children in our region.

We want you to be able to

Describe the scope of sexual exploitation of children and youth in our region.

Identify a variety of strategies and resources for prevention, early intervention, restoration, and prosecution.

Commit to organizing and supporting activities of citizens in her/his community to combat the sexual exploitation of children and youth.

How to Help.

Educate yourself.

Share the information with everyone, everywhere. Help others become aware.

For most people, it is an out of sight out of mind sort of situation. By educating yourself and spreading the word, people will become more aware.

The more we know, the more we will see. The more vigilant we are, we might be able to recognize the signs of a child in a bad situation. Recognition could lead to action, and that action may save a life.

Be educated. Be active. Be vigilant. Be a difference.

There are many organizations which could use your help.

Recognition could lead to
action, and that action may save a life.

MillionKids.org

PolarisProject.org

Human Trafficking Hotline

Education

The more knowledge you have about child sex trafficking, the better inclined and prepared you are to help stop both potential and ongoing abuse.

Recognize the Signs

With education, you will be able to notice the signs and situations of a possible victim of child sex trafficking.

Raise Awareness

By engaging in this website, you are educating yourself – to spread the word, share this information and share the page.

Be Watchful

Be watchful, and if you notice any suspicious activity you believe may be related to child sex trafficking, be safe and make that phone call!

Report Any Suspicions

When you have learned the signs, you can recognize possible victims or traffickers. Report your findings to the local authorities. Call 911 or call the 24-hour National Human Trafficking Resource Center line at 1-888-373-7888

Take Action

Share, engage, inform, speak out!

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RESOURCES

CNN documentary with Jada Pinkett Smith

“It’s a problem that may seem too big to tackle, but for the thousands of people caught in this dangerous world, there is hope. And there are ways you can help.”

Ark of Hope for Children

How the U.S. Department of State advises you can help

DTS Voice

Human Trafficking: 20 Things You Can Do Today To Stop It

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services

Office On Trafficking In Persons, An Office of the Administration for Children and Families // Assistance for Child Victims of Human Trafficking

United Nations Department of Public Information

“Fifty years ago, the abomination of slavery seemed like a thing of the past. But history has a way of repeating itself.”

Circle of Friends

Their Mission: To assist youth and young women survivors of violence, street life, and human trafficking in their efforts to pursue educational endeavors and acquire skills to become self-sufficient.

“Sex Trafficking Isn’t An ‘Over There’ Issue, 100,000 U.S. Kids Are Sold Into It Every Year”

“The Shocking Truth of Child Sex Trafficking”

“FBI Rescues More Than 80 Children In Nationwide Human Trafficking Sting”

Million Kids

is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that combats human trafficking. Founded by Opal Singleton who serves on the Riverside County Anti-Human Trafficking Task Force (RCAHT) as the Training and Outreach Coordinator.

Faith in Motion, San Bernardino

is a collaborative effort between San Bernardino County Children and Family Services and faith-based and community-based partners to achieve permanency, safety and well-being for San Bernardino County’s children including its Foster Youth and Young Adults, and supporting their families. Quarterly meetings are held at the First United Methodist Church in Redlands, CA.

Human Trafficking Resources for Teens, Students, Teachers, and Leaders.

Check out these educational and awareness tools and resources about human trafficking for teens, students, teachers, and youth leaders.

National Runaway Safeline

The mission of the NRS is to help keep America’s runaway, homeless, and at-risk youth safe and off the streets. 1-800-RUNAWAY

A.C.T. Abolish Child Trafficking

Covenant House is the largest privately funded charity in the Americas providing loving care and vital services to homeless youth for more than 40 years.

US Department of Education

has released a new guide for educators on ways to identify and help prevent child trafficking in schools. Human Trafficking in America’s Schools is a free guide for school staff that includes information about risk factors, recruitment, and how to identify trafficking; what to do if you suspect trafficking, including sample school protocols and policies; and other resources and potential partnership opportunities.

Soul to Sole/ DA:NCE (Dance Awareness: No Child Exploited)

In children’s dance classes around the nation, young kids are learning to dance with choreography that hypersexualizes them and their bodies. These children have become covert victims of sexual exploitation in what used to be a safe place – the dance studio. As awareness grows, more and more dance educators, parents and concerned citizens are speaking out against this cultural shift toward normalizing the hyper-sexualization of kids in dance.

Child Welfare Information Gateway

The Muse

Human Trafficking: The Myths and the Realities

Wellspring Living

Their Vision: A world where every victim of sexual exploitation has access to transformative care

The United States Department of Justice

Thorn

“Thorn is part of a large ecosystem of people, companies, organizations and governments working to protect kids from sexual exploitation. To fully address these crimes, we must build and maintain an understanding of the complex life cycle of abuse. Deep understanding allows for specific action to change lives.”

ECPAT USA

“Human trafficking has been reported in all 50 states and it’s happening now: in our communities, on our streets, and in our schools. We’re calling on you—students, parents, teachers, community members, and active citizens—to educate yourself on this issue and help us put an end to this unconscionable crime.”

Huffington Post articles regarding sex trafficking

“What is Human Trafficking?”

“How The System Failed A Child Sex Trafficking Victim And Favored A Sexual Predator”

Shared Hope International

is dedicated to bringing an end to sex trafficking through our three-pronged approach – prevent, restore, and bring justice. For background information and free educational materials, including the video Waiting for You to Notice.

The National Human Trafficking Resource Center (NHTRC)

is a national anti-trafficking hotline and resource center serving victims and survivors of human trafficking and the anti-trafficking community in the United States. The toll-free hotline is available to answer calls from anywhere in the country, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, every day of the year in more than 200 languages. 1-888-373-7888.

Gang-Involved Sex Trafficking presentation by the NHTRC

Positive Prevention PLUS

is an evidence-based comprehensive sexual health education curriculum for middle school and high school students (including special education), as mandated by California Education Code 51930-51939. Lessons include human trafficking (including sex trafficking), sexting, and internet safety. Funding for curriculum materials and teacher training is available to school districts through the state’s Mandated Costs Reimbursement Program and Mandate Block Grants. Title I and LCFF funds may also be used.

Sowers Education Group

sower (n.) \so-er\: one who spreads seeds for the purpose of growth.

MISSION: Human Trafficking Awareness and Survivor Empowerment. Features an excellent list of resources, plus “8 Things You Can Do.”

What is human trafficking?

According to The United Nations Office Of Drug and Crime, Article 3, paragraph (a) of the Protocol to Prevent, Suppress and Punish Trafficking in Persons defines Trafficking in Persons as “the recruitment, transportation, transfer, harbouring or receipt of persons, by means of the threat or use of force or other forms of coercion, of abduction, of fraud, of deception, of the abuse of power or of a position of vulnerability or of the giving or receiving of payments or benefits to achieve the consent of a person having control over another person, for the purpose of exploitation.”

What are the elements of trafficking?

The act, meaning what is done.

Recruitment. Transportation, transfer, harboring or receipt of persons

The means, meaning how it is done.

The threat of or use of force, deception, coercion, abuse of power to control a victim.

The purpose, meaning why it’s done.

Always for exploitation.

What is sex trafficking?

Sex traffickers use many forms of coercion to compel victims to engage in commercial sex acts against their will. Some examples of the coercion are violence, threats, gift giving, and being supportive and complementary to lure children in.

According to U.S. federal law, any minor who is 18 years or younger lured into commercial sex acts is a victim of sex trafficking regardless of the means.

Who is at risk of becoming a victim of human trafficking?

Trafficking is not particular to a certain race, nationality, gender, age, and background. Therefore, everyone should be vigilant of themselves and their surroundings. However, human traffickers do tend to prey on those who are vulnerable in some way. In youth, this means runaways and homeless.

Do victims of human trafficking identify themselves as a victim of a crime and ask for help immediately?

This is not always the case. Victims are usually convinced by their abusers that there isn’t a way out or that this is the right way. Also they are manipulated to not trust city, state and government authority figures. Self-esteem can also be an issue as the victim might blame themselves for the situation, which is another form of manipulation by those in control of their actions.

How many human trafficking victims are there in the United States?

Counting the number of victims in the US is a difficult task due to the underground and secretive nature of the human trafficking industry.

How do you identify a trafficking victim?

Be watchful for these red flags (according to the University of North Carolina):

Whether the individual(s) can leave or come and go as they please
Whether the individual is under 18 and is engaged in commercial sexual activity
Whether the individual works excessively long and unusual hours
Whether there are unusual physical security measures present, such as bars on windows, barbed wire, security cameras, constant surveillance, etc.
Whether the individual avoids eye contact or does not seem to be allowed to speak for themselves
Whether the individual is in control of his/her identification documents
Whether the individual seems to have local knowledge and be aware of his/her location

What happens to the trafficker when a victim is rescued?

Trafficking is a felony under federal and state anti-human trafficking laws.

What about girls who choose prostitution? Are they victims of trafficking too?

Under the Trafficking Victims Protection Act (TVPA) sex trafficking must contain a component of force, fraud or coercion UNLESS the victim is minor (18 years or younger). Any minor used in any commercial sex act IS a victim regardless of the circumstances.

Who buys sex?

The buyers of sex from juveniles can be anyone – professionals, students, tourists, military personnel, a family member. Buyers are difficult to identify often because the encounter is brief and monies paid are not traceable (meaning using cash for services).

What if a trafficked person consents?

Consent becomes irrelevant when any of the ‘means’ of trafficking are used. Also, a child cannot give consent regardless of the circumstances. The means, meaning how it is done is the threat of or use of force, deception, coercion, abuse of power to control a victim.

What is the difference between smuggling and trafficking?

Smuggling is a consensual act and requires crossing an international border illegally. Trafficking is not consensual, and the coerced victim is not a criminal.