Sex Trafficking at Major Events: Fighting Back with San Diego County DA Summer Stephan | Ep 296

Sex Trafficking at Major Events: Fighting Back with San Diego County DA Summer Stephan | Ep 296

Summer Stephan has devoted her life to protecting the vulnerable. Since age 12, when she saw exploited children in a National Geographic photo, the San Diego County District Attorney has worked tirelessly to remove "that look of hopelessness" from victims' eyes.

At a recent press conference ahead of Comic-Con, Stephan delivered a powerful message to potential traffickers: "You're not welcome here." This stance exemplifies her leadership in the fight against human trafficking, which she calls a national model. Her office has pioneered specialized prosecution teams and trained law enforcement to recognize and respond to trafficking with empathy and expertise.

The San Diego Human Trafficking Task Force operates around the clock, bringing together multiple agencies to recover victims and apprehend offenders. Their success is remarkable—at last year's Comic-Con alone, they arrested 14 traffickers and rescued 10 victims, including a 16-year-old. Stephan emphasizes that trafficking doesn't just happen overseas; it happens in our communities and at our events.

Trafficking survivor David Solomon provides heartbreaking testimony about being trafficked beginning at age 11. He describes the powerful psychological manipulation traffickers employ—what Stephan calls "psychological kidnap"—that keeps victims trapped even without physical restraints. "I still wanted to go back to him," Solomon reveals about his captor, illustrating how effective this grooming can be.

Perhaps most shocking is Stephan's ten-year battle to change California law that currently treats buying children for sex as merely a misdemeanor. "We're basically saying if you can afford it, go ahead...exploit human beings," she notes with frustration. Thankfully, legislation to address this sits on the governor's desk after passing both legislative chambers.

What can communities do? Stephan urges vigilance for subtle signs of trafficking: Is someone speaking for the potential victim? Do they seem disoriented about time or location? There's no stereotype for what traffickers look like—they could be neighbors, authority figures, or wealthy individuals hiding in plain sight.

Join the fight against human trafficking by learning these warning signs and reporting suspicious activity. Together, we can create a society where every human being lives with dignity and safety, free from exploitation.

Chapter Markers

0:00 Introduction to the Voices for VoicesⓇ Show

4:53 DA Summer Stephan: Fighting Human Trafficking

10:11 Task Force Success and Community Education

17:33 Reporting Systems and Victim Trust

24:13 Psychological Manipulation and Victim Recognition

30:34 Grooming and Control Tactics

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