Human Trafficking was the focus of a free Zoom webinar presented by Soroptimist International of Vista and North County Inland on Saturday, January 30, 2021 from 1-2 p.m. Keynote speaker Monica Dean, NBC7 News Anchor, gave us a behind-the-scenes account of the NBC7 documentary series, “STOLEN: A Year-Long Investigation Into Child Sex Trafficking and Exploitation.” Her talk included the inspiration behind the seven-episode documentary series, how the project evolved and the major findings to come from this year-long investigation. The series is available to stream online at nbc7.com/Stolen and debuts nationally this month on NBC LX/Peacock. In addition, Jaimee Johnson, CEO/Founder of Sisters of the Streets, spoke, reading a poem and answering questions during the question and answer period following both presentations. Also joining the panel were Soroptimists Assly Sayyar, president of the Vista club, Kaye Van Nevel, Chair of the club’s Human Rights/Status of Women Committee and Jackie Piro Huyck, the club’s Public Awareness Director. The webinar will be edited and posted online for viewing in February.
January was Human Trafficking Awareness Month, and during the month the Soroptimists hosted a “30 Miles in 30 Days” Walkathon fundraiser, raising over $10,000. All funds raised will be donated to Alabaster Jar Project‘s Grace House, a safe house for survivors of trafficking, and North County Lifeline’s Project LIFE, which provides prevention and intervention services.
The Vista Soroptimist club has been at the forefront of raising awareness about human trafficking since 2006.
