In Orange County, 213 human trafficking victims—including 60 minors—were treated last year. Worldwide, 1.2 million youths are sold every year. In support of efforts to end this crisis, nearly 300 people attended the Global Center for Women & Justice’s 10th anniversary luncheon, More Priceless Than Diamonds, on Sept. 21 at Balboa Bay Resort. The event raised $75,000 for the faith-based organization at Vanguard University in Costa Mesa. Keynote speaker Ernie Allen, president and founding chairman of the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children, says Internet-based child pornography “has exploded around the world.” “The only way not to find this problem in any community is not to look for it,” he says. Ed Arnold, managing editor and news anchor of KOCE-TV/PBS SoCal, served as event host. And recent Vanguard drama graduates Rosalyn Brickman and Katelyn Spurgin gave a moving performance, highlighting the often-overlooked exploitation of children in our own neighborhoods. —S.S.
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