RESCUE IE: Understanding the Seduction of Local Kids

Redlands, CA – Most people think human trafficking doesn’t happen in their community in the Inland Empire. Think again. It’s happening right here, as well as throughout the region and the nation.

Related Update: Opal Singleton Keynote Speaker at Rescue IE: Human Trafficking Conference

A group of concerned parents, citizens, businesses, juvenile authorities, law enforcement, and leaders of youth/family agencies in the region are taking a stand against human/sex trafficking in their cities. Organized by the Rotary Club of Redlands in partnership with multiple agencies, the RESCUE IE Sex Trafficking Conference will be held on Saturday, April 14, 9 am – 3 pm, at the ESRI Conference Center, 380 New York Street, Redlands, CA. To register, go to: www.RESCUEIE.com

“The goal of the conference is to provide resources and information to educate people who work with or care for youth, especially in regard to local youth in the Inland Empire,” stated Rotarian Dave Maupin, a conference organizer. “We endeavor to inform our communities about the realities of Human Trafficking occurring locally.”

Keynote speaker will be Opal Singleton, President and CEO of Million Kids and Director of Development for Rapha House International. She is a leading authority on this critical social issue facing our nation. “By educating and creating awareness about how this is happening with children and teen females and males today, concerned parents and community members can help put an end to the exploitation of innocent youth in the Inland Empire,” stated Singleton. “We believe that together, we can make a difference.”

Conference attendees will learn how to watch for signs of sexual exploitation, the methods that predators use to steal or coerce youth into a life of abuse and slavery, and how to help improve coordination of services that prevent, identify, discourage, and intervene in sex trafficking in our region.

Because she is raising two teenage daughters, Rotarian Beverly Noerr is especially concerned about the vulnerability of our teen youth. “With their daily usage of social media, it is so hard to monitor who might be reaching out to them,” stated Noerr, another conference organizer. “Attendees will learn about ways our children are being coerced via the internet.”

Other speakers include representatives from juvenile services, law enforcement, teen counselors, survivor victims, and regional coalitions against sexual exploitation and sex trafficking on the internet. Parents and leaders of scout groups, youth groups, and youth-focused organizations are encouraged to attend, as they are on the front-line of seeing potential youth involvement.

To read more about RESCUE IE speakers and topics, and to register, go to: www.RESCUEIE.com. The cost is $29 and includes lunch.

The Rotary Club of Redlands has a history of supporting community projects and education. The Rotary concept of “Service above Self” is integrated into a wide range of local and international projects and causes. To learn more about the club, visit: www.redlandsrotary.org or call 909.798.0953.