Political science professor Dave Milbrandt hosted a discussion about sex trafficking on Oct. 11 in CI 159.
Panelists described the horrors of human trafficking in nearby communities.
Social worker Emily Dickson said she was a sex trafficking victim when she was a younger and now works to get victims relief.
“A 13 year-old agreeing to have sex with an older man—legally, it’s rape,” Dickson said.
Another panelist, Every ONE Free Director Tamiko Chacon, said traffickers target middle-school age girls—runaways, orphans and the kidnapped. She said her group, which helps trafficking victims found a young women left naked on the street by a pimp.
Milbrandt said the public ignores victims who work in strip clubs, prostitution and pornography because they are unaware sex workers are frequently the victims of trafficking.
“It needs to stop,” Milbrandt said. “We need to take active steps for this to happen.”
Dickson called for a law requiring minors to attend an intervention courses. She said the state should mandate survivor advocates for victims.
Chacon offered ways listeners could help sex traffic victims. She said people who want to help can make a “freedom bag,” which is distributed to victims. The bag Every ONE Free offers includes clothes and toiletries. She directed the audience to an email freedombags@everyonefree.org.
She also told listeners her group hosts an event called Men Standing Against Trafficking. Anyone may join. Participants may stand in solidarity for an hour with victims of human trafficking at 586 N. Main St. in Pomona. The area is a prominent human trafficking spot.
Chacon requested those interested in helping email her at tamiko@everyonefree.org.
