If you are in or around the Westminster area tomorrow, there will be a community awareness event, "The Reality of Human Trafficking: Global and Local Truths."
High school student Caroline Nguyen will be presenting her findings in her research on human trafficking within both the local and global communities as part of her Girl Scouts Gold Award Project, a 100-year-old tradition set by the Girl Scouts of the USA to inspire young girls to solve community problems by identifying and understanding an issue, creating a plan, and taking action.
Human trafficking is a serious issue as the second fastest growing criminal industry (they call it an industry!) in the world and is a modern-day version of slavery. In June, the FBI arrested 150 pimps in a three-day nationwide sweep in 70 cities of holding children against their will for prostitution, the largest operation recorded against child sex-trafficking.
The nail industry is not exempt from the harsh realities of human trafficking either. Immigrant communities are among the targets for trafficking rings. In the worst cases, victims are held against their will, their paperwork kept from them, and are forced to work long hours with little to no pay for years without a guarantee of their freedom, oftentimes living in poor conditions. Here's an article from the June 2011 issue of NAILS Magazine following a nail tech who decided to take a stand against human trafficking.
I have also volunteered for non-profit organizations dedicated to eradicating this problem, and have written a blog about the prevalence of human trafficking, ways to learn and educate others about it, and ways to identify if someone you know may be a victim. So I thought I'd promote this event and support our youth. It's the least I could do.
The Reality of Human Trafficking: Global and Local Truths
Wednesday, August 14, 2013, 2-4 PM
Miriam Warne Community Building (Westminster Chamber of Commerce)
14491 Beach Blvd.
Westminster, CA 92683
The event is being organized with the support of: Westminster, Calif. Mayor Tri Ta, Chief Kevin Baker, WPD, the Orange County Human Trafficking Task Force, Syed Shah, President of Westminster Chamber of Commerce, Frances Nguyen, First Vietnamese-American President Chamber of Commerce, Robyn Sottile, Caroline's Girl Scout Gold Award's Adviser/VP-WCC Community—Girl Scouts of OC, Helen Ortega, Chief Professional Director, Boys & Girls Club of Westminster, Nina Tran, President of Union of the Vietnamese Student Assoc Southern California, Soroptimist Club of Westminster, and Boat People SOS.
Every little bit helps, especially in supporting those who are fully committed to helping the cause.
— Kim
For reprint and licensing requests for this article, Click here.
media brand
