Patrick Erlandson described the “See It — End It” Film & Arts Festival at the Warner Grand Theatre, Friday evening & Saturday, April 3-4. This is a partnership with the YWCA Harbor Area and South Bay, showing the disturbing link between foster care and human trafficking. This is the 2nd year of this community event including film screenings, visual and performing arts and music. Families are invited to participate in a free “Kids Zone” in the Grand Vision Annex on Saturday, to experience educational fun including internet safety tips with Officer McGruff.
 
Many displaced people around the world are vulnerable to this exploitation, especially when they go to another country looking for jobs. They are recruited by smart phones & social media. Teens are especially susceptible, and they often blame themselves when they are trapped in a situation. He showed a video of “Lost Girls, Angie’s Story”, presented by Artists for Change and Men Against Trafficking.
 
Many foster children in our own community are dumped into the adult world on their own when they turn age 18 and lose eligibility for further foster support. These vulnerable children are often recruited by waiting predators into prostitution and drug-running. There will be moderated panel discussions and Q & A sessions with survivors, allies, law enforcement, and filmmakers, to help us understand this complex human trafficking issue and how we can help in the fight against this crime against humanity. For more information and tickets, please visit www.SeeItEndIt.com.