After staff had an encounter with a possible sex trafficking victim, the San Diego Public Library took action and won a grant that funded the Out of the Shadows program.
Staff acknowledged that disseminating sex trafficking information to raise awareness was essential, as was joining forces with the community and experts to ensure the program’s success and effectiveness.
The program consists of six components: mandatory sex trafficking awareness training for library staff; marketing and outreach plans; Teen Peer Advocates volunteer group; Sex Trafficking Resource Centers at nine library locations; community conversation meetings at each location; and creating community events.
After San Diego Public Library staff had an encounter with a possible sex trafficking victim, they decided to be a part of the solution.