News Summary
Vanguard University has launched the ‘Safe Communities, Safe Kids’ program aimed at educating high school students about human trafficking. Funded by an $825,000 grant, this initiative raises awareness in local public schools with peer-to-peer education. The program highlights the pressing realities of human trafficking, particularly concerning minors, and fosters an environment for open discussions among students. Supported by local school districts, it equips students with knowledge to recognize and address potential dangers in their surroundings.
Orange County – Vanguard University has initiated a new program aimed at raising awareness about human trafficking among students in local public schools. The program, named “Safe Communities, Safe Kids,” is a three-year pilot funded by an $825,000 grant from the Samueli Foundation and focuses on educating high school students about the realities of human trafficking. The program began last fall and is a collaboration between the university’s Global Center for Women and Justice and its Live2Free club, a group of peer educators dedicated to this cause.
The issue of human trafficking is pressing, particularly in Orange County, where unexpected incidents of exploitation have occurred despite the area’s reputation for safety. The first identified victim of human trafficking in this region was an Egyptian girl who, after being smuggled to the United States, was enslaved in Irvine for two years beginning in 2002. This incident highlights the grim reality that even perceived safe areas can harbor hidden dangers.
In light of these issues, Jasmine Allen, a senior communications major at Vanguard, underscored the importance of awareness in local communities. With 2023 data from the Orange County Human Trafficking Task Force indicating that two out of five sex trafficking victims are minors, and more alarmingly, that 32% of these victims are female minors, the program’s initiative to educate young people is crucial.
The “Safe Communities, Safe Kids” program implements direct peer-to-peer education, where trained students from the Live2Free club present information to their classmates. These peer educators undergo extensive training, completing a total of 40 hours to prepare them for these presentations. Recently, students from Leonard Ibarra’s health class at Westminster High School learned about the different types of human trafficking, including labor and sex trafficking, as well as concepts such as grooming and “sextortion.” By using relatable scenarios, the presentations help students identify concerning behaviors and distinguish between trusted and untrusted adults, fostering awareness about potential dangers they may face.
As part of the engagement process, students in this program are encouraged to provide anonymous feedback and ask questions via sticky notes. This approach aims to create a comfortable environment for discussing sensitive issues, enabling students to express their concerns or personal experiences related to human trafficking without fear of judgment.
The Huntington Beach Union High School District has notably supported this initiative, and there are plans to expand the program into additional school districts in the area. Peer educators are compensated for their advocacy work, furthering their commitment to raising awareness about human trafficking. During one recent session, students received Jolly Rancher candies as a positive reinforcement for their participation.
Following the informative sessions, some students, like a freshman named Jade, have expressed that they feel more cautious and aware of their social interactions, which suggests the program’s effectiveness in impacting student perspectives on safety and wellbeing. Leonard Ibarra emphasized the pressing need for young people to recognize risks in their environments to better protect themselves.
This initiative reflects a growing recognition of human trafficking as a critical issue even in communities that may seem insulated from such challenges. Vanguard University’s proactive approach through the “Safe Communities, Safe Kids” program serves as a testament to the ongoing efforts to combat human trafficking and provide essential education to the youth of Orange County.
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Additional Resources
- Patch: Man Who Trafficked OC Teen Arrested, Los Angeles DA Says
- Wikipedia: Human Trafficking in the United States
- Fox LA: Brothel Discovered in Irvine Human Trafficking Operation
- Google Search: Human Trafficking California
- CBS News: Los Angeles County Man Arrested on Allegations of Human Trafficking
- Google Scholar: Human Trafficking
- KTLA: Officers Find Missing Girl, Arrest Human Trafficking Suspect in Los Angeles
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Human Trafficking
- OC Register: Man Convicted of Human Trafficking of a Minor in Orange County
- Google News: Human Trafficking Cases
