San Diego County leaders launch campaign to combat human trafficking – NBC 7 San Diego

Experts say the fight against human trafficking starts with raising awareness. That's why San Diego County leaders are launching a campaign to educate youth and children about how to protect themselves.

“When we have very large tourism events, we see an increase in our human trafficking and sexual exploitation,” said Dr. Kimberly Giardina, director of the Department of Child and Family Welfare. of San Diego County at the Health and Human Services Agency. .

San Diego is one of 13 hot spots in the country for human trafficking.

“It's basically child prostitution, and so there are pimps selling girls and boys, not just girls, to engage in sexual acts with adult men,” Giardina said.

Giardina said in the past three months, the county screened 2,700 children and youth, 150 of whom were at risk or had previously been victims of trafficking. She said most human trafficking occurs among children and young people aged 12 or 14 and over and young people who have experienced trauma in their lives are more vulnerable.

Very often, victims are treated via social networks.

Due to the ongoing threat to children, San Diego County Supervisors and the District Attorney announced a media campaign to educate children, youth and parents about the telltale signs of human traffickers and to the way they operate.

You'll probably start to notice campaign signs on bus stops, billboards and social media. It's the latest effort to combat the more than $800 million underground industry that primarily prostitutes children.

San Diego County DA Summer Stephan said protecting our youth starts with education and empowerment.

“We know that knowledge is power, and we know that if we do not educate our children, our parents and our communities, traffickers and predators surely will. They will do it for their own selfish nature, for their own greed, to line their pockets,” Stephan said.

The campaign will run from June to August.