To equip families, educators and community members with the tools to prevent human trafficking and exploitation, OCDE is partnering with Vanguard University’s Global Center for Women and Justice to present the 2025 Ensure Justice conference on March 7-8 in Costa Mesa.
The two-day event, themed “Safety Nets,” will examine the risks that make children and youth vulnerable while exploring strategies for strengthening protective networks. Sessions will cover labor trafficking, online grooming, sextortion, pornography, gangs and unhealthy relationships. Attendees can register at gcwj.org/ensurejustice.
“Human trafficking and the sexual exploitation of our youth are unacceptable violations of human rights that deeply harm individuals and communities,” said Orange County Superintendent Dr. Stefan Bean. “Addressing this crisis requires a united effort — families, peers and educators all play a critical role in recognizing the warning signs and preventing these heinous crimes. Together, we must protect and empower our young people, ensuring they grow up in safe and supportive environments where exploitation has no place.”
Trends and resources
Since 2019, OCDE has partnered with Vanguard University to host Ensure Justice as part of its efforts to promote safe and supportive learning environments. The department also collaborates with the Orange County District Attorney’s Office and other agencies to provide training and resources, and it recently introduced a new 5-3-1 Strategic Plan that prioritizes school safety and emotional intelligence.
The latest Ensure Justice conference will once again bring together leading experts, educators and law enforcement officials to Vanguard’s Costa Mesa campus to discuss the latest trends in trafficking prevention.
Supervisory Special Agent Christopher Diorio from the Department of Homeland Security Investigations will deliver the keynote address, alongside presenters from organizations such as the Department of Labor, the Safe House Project and Project Hope Alliance.
‘Screenagers’ screening
“Growing up in the digital age, youth are more vulnerable than ever to being targeted online by human trafficking perpetrators,” said Global Center for Women and Justice Director Dr. Sandra Morgan. “Children need knowledge, information and a community of support to catch them if they are heading for a fall. As a community, we can offer that safety net for our children.”
In addition to expert-led discussions, attendees will have the opportunity to watch “Screenagers: Growing Up in the Digital Age,” a documentary that examines the impact of screen technology on children and offers research-backed strategies for healthy digital habits.
Abuse grows online
The conference comes at a time when online exploitation and trafficking threats are rising at alarming rates.
According to a Lancet Child & Adolescent Health study, 1 in 12 children are exposed to sexual exploitation and abuse online. At the same time, reports of child sexual abuse material (CSAM), sextortion and online enticement have surged, with the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children’s CyberTipline receiving 36.2 million reports in 2023 — a 12 percent increase from the previous year. Sextortion cases alone have more than tripled since 2021, surpassing 186,000 cases in 2023.
“Human trafficking is a pervasive and devastating crime that preys on the most vulnerable members of our society—our youth,” Special Agent Diorio said. “This issue demands the unwavering attention of every American because safeguarding our children is not just a responsibility; it is our collective moral obligation and we’re committed to ensuring traffickers face the full weight of justice.”
Ensure Justice is open to the public, with in-person sessions at Vanguard’s Costa Mesa campus along with virtual attendance options. To register or to learn more about featured speakers, visit www.gcwj.org/ensurejustice.