Norco College, in collaboration with Soroptimist International of Corona, took a bold
step in raising awareness about human trafficking by hosting the impactful "Stop Human
Trafficking Forum" at the Little Theater, on Thursday, January 18. This event, held
in recognition of Human Trafficking Prevention Month, aimed to educate the public
and empower them to play an active role in preventing and responding to human trafficking.
The forum opened with a warm welcome from Dr. Monica Green, President of Norco College, and a dedicated member of Soroptimist International (SI) Corona. Elected officials, including School Board Members and City Councilmembers, joined hands to emphasize the importance of collaborative efforts in addressing this pervasive issue.
Survivor Daniella Hall, who escaped sex trafficking in 2014 and graduated from Run 2 Rescue’s program in 2015, shared a powerful and inspiring survivor story. As the current House Director at Run 2 Rescue, Daniella empathizes with victims and plays a crucial role in helping them rebuild their lives.
Keynote speaker Riverside District Attorney Mike Hestrin, now serving his third term, underscored his commitment to tough prosecution of serious and violent felonies. Hestrin addressed the alarming rise in crimes related to human trafficking, child abuse, and drug offenses. He emphasized the need for strong and vigorous prosecution against those involved in trafficking and highlighted the modern-day form of slavery represented by sex abuse, including sextortion.
A notable highlight of the event was the live demonstration by Joel Pabelico, Senior Investigator II, and K9 "Chewie" from the Riverside County District Attorney’s Office. Chewie showcased the K9 Unit's ability to sniff out and locate hidden electronic devices, simulating the search for child pornography during raids on perpetrators' residences.
Shannon Forsythe, COO of Run2Rescue, shared a remarkable statistic – a 100% success rate in their efforts. This success reflects the organization's dedication to helping victims of sex trafficking rebuild their lives.
Khazana Martis, Program Coordinator for Rebirth Homes, delivered a powerful message, stating, “If we stop the demand, the supply won't be necessary.” This resonated with the audience and encapsulated the collective goal of preventing and ending human trafficking.
The event concluded with a panel discussion moderated by Riverside County Supervisor Karen Spiegel. Panelists included Shannon Forsythe, Khazana Martis, and Opal Singleton, President and CEO of Million Kids, contributing diverse perspectives on combating human trafficking. Singleton has served for more than ten years as the Training and Outreach Coordinator for the Riverside County Anti-Human Trafficking Task Force through a Department of Justice grant. She encouraged those interested in helping with this work to just start.
Norco College and Soroptimist International of Corona express gratitude to community leaders, residents, and the K-12 community for their attendance. Also, a special thanks to Northgate Markets for their donation of refreshments.
The forum opened with a warm welcome from Dr. Monica Green, President of Norco College, and a dedicated member of Soroptimist International (SI) Corona. Elected officials, including School Board Members and City Councilmembers, joined hands to emphasize the importance of collaborative efforts in addressing this pervasive issue.
Survivor Daniella Hall, who escaped sex trafficking in 2014 and graduated from Run 2 Rescue’s program in 2015, shared a powerful and inspiring survivor story. As the current House Director at Run 2 Rescue, Daniella empathizes with victims and plays a crucial role in helping them rebuild their lives.
Keynote speaker Riverside District Attorney Mike Hestrin, now serving his third term, underscored his commitment to tough prosecution of serious and violent felonies. Hestrin addressed the alarming rise in crimes related to human trafficking, child abuse, and drug offenses. He emphasized the need for strong and vigorous prosecution against those involved in trafficking and highlighted the modern-day form of slavery represented by sex abuse, including sextortion.
A notable highlight of the event was the live demonstration by Joel Pabelico, Senior Investigator II, and K9 "Chewie" from the Riverside County District Attorney’s Office. Chewie showcased the K9 Unit's ability to sniff out and locate hidden electronic devices, simulating the search for child pornography during raids on perpetrators' residences.
Shannon Forsythe, COO of Run2Rescue, shared a remarkable statistic – a 100% success rate in their efforts. This success reflects the organization's dedication to helping victims of sex trafficking rebuild their lives.
Khazana Martis, Program Coordinator for Rebirth Homes, delivered a powerful message, stating, “If we stop the demand, the supply won't be necessary.” This resonated with the audience and encapsulated the collective goal of preventing and ending human trafficking.
The event concluded with a panel discussion moderated by Riverside County Supervisor Karen Spiegel. Panelists included Shannon Forsythe, Khazana Martis, and Opal Singleton, President and CEO of Million Kids, contributing diverse perspectives on combating human trafficking. Singleton has served for more than ten years as the Training and Outreach Coordinator for the Riverside County Anti-Human Trafficking Task Force through a Department of Justice grant. She encouraged those interested in helping with this work to just start.
Norco College and Soroptimist International of Corona express gratitude to community leaders, residents, and the K-12 community for their attendance. Also, a special thanks to Northgate Markets for their donation of refreshments.
About Soroptimist and STOPTrafficking
In 2007, Soroptimist International launched a major campaign— Soroptimists STOPTrafficking—to raise awareness about the devastating practice of sex trafficking. Now, every January since the campaign began, Soroptimist club members all over the world have been placing sex slavery awareness cards in highly visible locations including police stations, women's centers, hospitals, legal aid societies, and more. The program has evolved to include a multi-dimensional approach to end sex trafficking, including raising awareness, assisting victims, preventing sexual slavery, and advocating for better laws and enforcement.Thank you to Northgate Markets for their donation of refreshments.