Close to 250 people attended an educational event, held Wednesday November 7 in Santa Maria, to raise awareness of human trafficking. Community agencies hope by educating our youth, they’ll be able to spot red flags and recognize the signs of human trafficking as it’s happening in our area. DSS teamed up with Fighting Back Santa Maria Valley to bring the educational program from Point Loma Nazarene University to our area. Since January, CWS has received 56 calls to the Child Abuse Hotline reporting at-risk children or victims of child sexual exploitation in the county.
