Vanguard peer educators teach H.B. high school students about dangers of human trafficking

In 2002, the first human trafficking victim identified in Orange County was an Egyptian girl enslaved by a couple in Irvine for two years after they smuggled her from Egypt. Irvine, a master-planned city, is often listed among the safest in the country for its size.

Shyima Hall, the victim rescued more than two decades ago, started speaking out publicly against human trafficking. Now Vanguard University peer educators in the “Live2Free” human trafficking awareness club are striving to give local high school students the reality of the situation regarding human trafficking in the county.

“I think people need to be more aware, especially in the O.C., where it’s somewhere that’s perceived to be so safe,” said Vanguard senior communications major Jasmine Allen. “Children in general need to be educated on this stuff, so that’s why I joined Live2Free, just so I can be part of spreading the awareness of human trafficking and making a change.”

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Los Angeles Times/The Daily Pilot
Matt Szabo