Human Trafficking thrives in silence, but San Bernardino County’s C.A.S.E. and the Tim Tebow Foundation made clear that they’re ready to speak up and fight back.
“Together, we can make a difference,” this was a leading theme at the 6th Annual C.A.S.E Human Trafficking Symposium in San Bernardino County. The symposium was held on Thursday, Jan. 16, at the DoubleTree Hilton Hotel in Ontario, California.
The San Bernardino County Children’s Network created a space to highlight its mission as an organization to protect children and families in the community and across the world from human trafficking. C.A.S.E coordinator Angel Magallanes hosted the symposium, and survivors, advocates, experts, and youth gathered to learn and spread awareness on the dangers of human trafficking and how to spot the signs to ultimately prevent it.
“Many have been overlooked, passed by, forgotten, you know I believe this might be one of the worst evils in the world, what we’re talking about here today is trafficking…exploitation,” said Tim Tebow, former NFL Broncos quarterback and advocate against human trafficking. “We do everything and anything possible to bring hope, to bring love, to bring faith, to bring security, productions, and defense to the most vulnerable.”
The symposium focused on listening to the stories of survivors as well as educating and empowering attendants with tools and knowledge to take action. It included several workshops and activities focused on youth involvement in spreading the message of speaking up for not only what is right, but for yourself and others.
Students from schools across the county, including four student from Rancho Cucamonga High School, learned about the power of kindness and inclusivity. The youth workshops consisted of creating diagrams to display words of encouragement and positivity to raise self-esteem. These activities were done in groups, uniting students from different schools in the Southern California region.
“I thought the most impactful thing was the amount of people involved,” Danna Arias, a junior from Ontario High School said. “Most of them were girls, and as a girl myself, there’s out there someone going through this and it’s just harsh.”
The message of believing in yourself and pursuing your dreams was a focal point for the speakers leading the workshops.
The coach for Project Fighting Chance spoke about the importance of speaking up even when it isn’t easy. He introduced a young pro boxer: “Terrible” Terry Washington. He and his coach told a story of the impact of unlocking your true potential. Washington’s coach preached the importance of consistency and confidence in one’s abilities.
“I thought that the fact of bringing awareness and action was very impactful,” Asia C., an 8th grader from Day Creek Middle School said. “I think it was a very good message they got across.”
Project Fighting Chance is an organization that uses boxing and arts to build resilience for vulnerable and at-risk youth. The participants learned how to channel their energy into positive outlets through boxing and other outlets to help themselves and peers avoid dangerous situations.
At the end of the symposium, human trafficking advocates and survivors shared how people could help. They said to speak up against human trafficking to genuinely help people rather than take credit for performative action.
According to Tebow, instead of trying to be the MVP, people should try to support the most vulnerable people.
For more information about human trafficking and how to advocate for victims and survivors, please see the listed resources below.
