Local Leaders and Advocates Unite to Raise Awareness About Human Trafficking in Orange County

Human trafficking is happening right here in Orange County. That disturbing truth brought out more than 100 local leaders, advocates, and community members on November 7 for the Right in Our Backyard: Uniting Orange County to End Human Trafficking event.

Held at the Quail Hill Community Center in Irvine, the discussion was presented by Councilmembers Janet Keo Conklin of the City of La Palma and Melinda Liu of the City of Irvine, who brought vital awareness to an issue that continues to impact communities across Orange County.

Hosted in collaboration with nonprofit Radiant Futures, the OC Human Trafficking Task Force, and the OC Family Violence Council, the event offered education, conversation, and collective action against human trafficking, a hidden crisis affecting people of all backgrounds and often taking place in plain sight.

The morning began with Human Trafficking 101, a presentation by T.J. Peterson, supervisor of the Human Trafficking Victim Assistance Program at Waymakers. Peterson shared insights on the realities of trafficking in Orange County, how it manifests, who it impacts, and how individuals and organizations can recognize and respond to it

Following the presentation, an expert panel discussion explored how diverse sectors can come together to dismantle trafficking systems and support survivors. The panel was moderated by Dr. Nefta Pereda, PsyD, MBA, of Radiant Futures, and featured voices from across the community:

• Aloha Ley, eNoLux LLC – Addressing the role of demand

• Erica Carrillo, Radiant Futures – Centering survivor experiences

• Happy J. Medina, Stop Human Trafficking Now LLC – Law enforcement perspectives

• Cory Vigil, Strong Families, Strong Children – Supporting military-connected families

• Isaac McKeithen, Department of Transportation – Addressing trafficking in transit systems

Participants also had the opportunity to network and share resources, strengthening local partnerships and commitments to prevention and survivor support. The list of organization and programs represented at the event also included Higher Ground

Global, Hope 365, OC SSA: CSEC Prevention and Awareness Subcommittee

Olive Crest, Community Legal Aid SoCal, and OC Human Trafficking Task Force.

Learn more about Radiant Futures at www.radiantfutures.org If you or someone you know is experiencing abuse, contact our 24-hour multilingual hotline at (877) 531-5522 or love@radiantfutures.org.

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About Radiant Futures (formerly Women’s Transitional Living Center, Inc.)

Radiant Futures is a non-profit organization dedicated to building a safer community in Orange County that is a committed partner providing crisis support, services for all survivors, and education to prevent domestic violence and trafficking. If you or someone you know is experiencing abuse, contact our 24-hour multilingual hotline at (877) 531-5522 or love@radiantfutures.org. For more information, visit www.radiantfutures.org