Let's Join Together in the Fight Against Human Trafficking!
In Orange County, the OC Human Trafficking Task Force is employing undercover officers to aggressively prosecute offenders. They also have an outstanding campaign to reduce demand. Vanguard Univeristy is working with The Protect Program to bring Human Trafficking awareness into schools. Dignity Health is one example of instituting a program to train health professionals how to recognize victims and how to talk to them. While these efforts are outstanding, unless we as the faith community get "up the river" to prevent human trafficking, it will never end.
So how do we get "up the river?" We come together as a coalition and empower our men to be leaders in raising awareness regarding the destructive nature of porn and how it creates demand for sex trafficking victims. We invite a representative from a local foster care organization to come speak at our services to recruit good foster parents, given that over 70% of victims are from the foster care system. We can work with the city to close down the illegal massage parlors. We can host a fair trade table at our church and school fairs to educate people that over 2/3 of all human trafficking in the world is labor trafficking and by being responsible for purchasing imported products that state "fair trade," we reduce demand. We can do a fundraiser for a local non-profit. These are just five examples of how we can prevent human trafficking. The book "How You Can Fight Human Trafficking, Over 100 Ways to Make a Difference" offers many more actions.
How We End It
Social scientists tell us that once we reach a critical mass of awareness and people taking action, the social issue will be resolved. Until that critical mass of 10% is reached, it is like rolling a rock uphill and there isn't enough traction so groups often fall apart. Once critical mass is reached, there is velocity. If it took 10 years to reach 10%, it only takes 2 to 3 years to reach 20%. In Orange County, about 2% of faith communities are taking action in the fight against human trafficking. There is another 7% to 8% who are thinking of doing something, so they meet and think about it and it takes time. When they can come to a meeting to find out how to act and only have to simply duplicate what others are doing they quickly move into action. At these coalition meetings, faith communities inspire and encourage each other and report on what they are doing. Then during the second half of the meeting people meet with those groups they are interested in collaborating with. This model will have us quickly reach the 10%. You can find actions for faith communities as well as presentations you can use and resources like flyers by "clicking" on the resource button.
Orange County Faith Coaltion Meetings
So Cal Faith Coalitions Against Human Trafficking
Faith Leaders in Orange County are inviting churches, synagogues, temples etc. to come together to share resources and educate each other on how to take action in the fight against human trafficking as a faith community. This is not a public event. This is a networking event for the purpose of empowering people who are pastors or ministry/ committee leaders, staff members, youth pastors, bible study teachers, etc. who feel called to take a leadership role in the fight against human trafficking. Whether you are already taking action or want to take action in the fight against Human Trafficking, this meeting is for you. Please RSVP to ucanfightht@outlook.com for meeting locations.
Orange County Faith Coalition Meeting
Saturday, Nov. 9th, 2019 from 9 to 11:30 A.M. in Irvine, Ca. This coalition includes all the cities in Orange County.
Task Forces and Meetings by Other OC Groups
San Clemente Abolutionists
San Clemente has their own city coalition made up of faith communities and non-profits. This coalition birthed the I-5 Freedom Network that passed a resolution with the city of San Clemente to create community awareness with great success. This model can be duplicated by any city. For more information you can email them info@ I5FreedomNetwork.org or go to their website: I5FreedomNetwork.org
The LightHouse- Orangewood Foundation
The Lighthouse is a program for survivors of sex trafficking in Orange County. This residential program helps them return to a healthy and productive life. The Lighthouse offers a public seminar every second Monday of every month (beginning again in September) from 6:30 until 8 P.M. on sex trafficking in Orange County and Orangewood’s residential program. https://orangewoodfoundation.org/what-we-do/trafficking/
Men Standing Against Trafficking (MSAT)
This group is hosted by Saddleback church. Please email LocalHumanTrafficking@Saddleback.com for meeting dates and location.
Orange County Catholic Human Trafficking Task Force
Next Meeting TBD - 7 P.M. to 8:30 P.M. This coalition is for the Catholic community to collaborate on events at their churches. Projects include raising awareness regarding Fair Trade and recruiting foster parents since foster children are the most likely victim. The deacons have taken on reducing demand by raising awareness regarding the destructive nature of porn. Please email Cenia Martinez for more information cmartinez@rcbo.org
Orange County Human Trafficking Task Force
4th Wednesday of the month - 10:30 - 11:30 A.M. Please go the link at the end of this section to confirm that the task force is meeting that month. The Orange County Human Trafficking Task Force (OCHTTF) General Meeting is held at Wayfinders (formerly CSP Community Service Programs) every 4th Wednesday of the month. This meeting is for all task force collaborative partners and community members. It is also open to the public. This meeting provides updates by law enforcement and speakers from non-profits. The Wayfinders Corporate Office is located at 1221 East Dyer Road Suite 120, Santa Ana. For more information please contact Linh Tran at ltran@waymakersoc.org or 714-765-7938. OCHTTF Volunteer Training/Meetings will be every 3rd Tuesday of the month, 6:00 - 8:00 PM at Wayfinders. You need to email Lynh Tran to get a parking pass for all meetings so your car won't be towed. For more information please go to https://www.egovlink.com/ochumantrafficking
Trainings
Nola Brantley Speaks
Nola Brantley is a survivor of human trafficking who has trained thousands in law enforcement , service care providers. and the general public. Her trainings are geared towards those who want to be leaders in the fight like speakers, church staff etc. She offers 17 different trainings. You can find her trainings at http://www.nolabrantleyspeaks.org/