Vista, California- January is National Human Trafficking Awareness Month, and the North County community is committed to shedding light on the issue through a series of events aimed at educating the community and fostering change. These events serve as a platform to address the alarming reality of human trafficking and empower individuals to take action against it.
One Safe Place Hosts 9th Annual ”You Can Stop Human Trafficking” Campaign
January 11th was National Human Trafficking Awareness Day, and the 9th annual “You Can Stop Human Trafficking” Campaign took place at One Safe Place – North County Family Justice Center located in San Marcos. One Safe Place is dedicated to providing free support services to individuals who have experienced various forms of abuse, including child abuse, sexual assault, domestic violence, and, significantly, human trafficking.
The event kicked off with a community resource and business expo, offering valuable information and resources to attendees. A panel of speakers, including members of the San Diego County human trafficking task force, engaged in discussions about combating human trafficking. The keynote speaker was San Diego District Attorney, Summer Stephan, who shared her insights into the current fight against human trafficking in San Diego County. The event was emceed by Rebecca Jones, Mayor of San Marcos, and drew a crowd of over 100 attendees.
The creator of this impactful event, Therese Cisneros-Remington, has ensured its continued success over the past nine years. The Host Committee for this year’s campaign included Denisse Barragan, Marjorie Saylor, Paula Shaw, and Kim Wagner. Their collaborative efforts resulted in a highly attended and impactful event.
Upcoming Events
For those who missed the ”You Can Stop Human Trafficking” Campaign, there are two upcoming events in North County to mark on your calendar:
Soroptimist International’s 18th Annual Human Trafficking Awareness Event and Walk
Date: Saturday, January 27th, 2024
Time: 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM
Location: United Methodist Church of Vista
Soroptimist International of Vista and North County Inland is hosting this event, featuring guest speaker County Supervisor Jim Desmond. The event includes a 1 Y.mile walk from Melrose to Sunset and back, starting at 11:00 AM. Attendees are encouraged to arrive at 10:00 AM for registration, followed by the guest speaker at 10:30 AM. This walk symbolizes the community’s commitment to taking steps against human trafficking.
City of Vista and Vista Unified School District Human Trafficking Town Hall
Date: Thursday, February 8th, 2024
Time: To Be Announced
Location: Morris B. Vance Community Room
Vista Civic Center
200 Civic Center Drive
This event will have District Attorney Summer Stephan, Supervisor Jim Desmond, and Keelin Washington, a survivor of human trafficking, who will share their insights and valuable information. This informative event is open to all community members, families, middle and high school students, and aims to spark a vital discussion on human trafficking and how the community can respond.
