In this episode my dad and I are joined by Mary-Ellen Barrett and Stacey Williams. Mary-Ellen is a district attorney who works diligently in San Diego County to combat human sex trafficking. Stacey Williams is the director of Human Trafficking Prevention Programs at PCI (Project Concern International). Mary-Ellen and Stacey join my dad and I to address one of San Diego's biggest public health crises-Human Sex Trafficking. Both women talk about how COVID-19 has made it easier for sex traffickers to exploit children by moving to online spaces and using social media platforms, such as Instagram and TikTok. Mary-Ellen and Stacey talk about PCI's youth programs which educate kids on how to identify the warning signs of sex trafficking and how to develop stronger emotional wellness skills. This show also discusses common misconceptions about human sex trafficking, the affect that trafficking has on survivors' ability to develop vocational skills, as well as drug and substance use and abuse.