San Diego is a hotspot for human trafficking, with up to 8,000 victims per year, reported by the San Diego County District Attorney.

While anyone can be a victim of trafficking, youth are at an increased risk. Tactics such as deception, fraud, coercion and force are regularly used against targets, on or near school campuses and online networks.

Terri Clark, a teacher at Patrick Henry High School (PHHS) implemented a unit that specifically covers human trafficking in her physical education classes. After her niece befriended a boy that helped abduct and sell her to a trafficking ring, Clark decided that she wanted to raise awareness on this issue.

“[My niece] was taken. They cut and dyed her hair and drugged her, she was missing for nine days,” Clark recounted. “A friend who had some connections did some deep digging, [my niece] was found on a site that no longer exists where girls are advertised. She lived in Sacramento and was found in Reno. She was bought and sold many, many times within those nine days. They try to do everything they can for people to lose track of that person.”

Clark uses a curriculum from A21, one of the largest organizations in the world that fights against human trafficking at local, domestic and international levels. The group believes education is essential to ending trafficking

“I really loved their curriculum and felt like it did a better job with high school students in terms of engaging them,” Clark said. “I then bring in the second half of the education prevention which is a program called ‘No More’ out of Point Loma Nazarene University. They put together a dramatic presentation and interpretation of how kids are trafficked in schools. It shows [the students] how it takes place right under their noses. The whole point of the curriculum is prevention, education and awareness.”

Sophomore Kyle Flora appreciated that Clark included this unit in his physical education class.

“I think all schools should use this human trafficking unit, it’s very important,” Flora said. “I knew a little bit but [the class] gave me a lot more information on what else to be aware of.” According to the U.S. Department of Education, some youth are more at risk than others. Minorities, histories of poverty, family instability, physical and sexual abuse and low support systems are a few aspects that can increase a child’s likelihood of being targeted.

“In any school, you have kids living in the margins and they’re so much more susceptible,” Clark said. “A kid that doesn’t fit in, that has a ton of alone time, a lot of access to technology — there’s so many things that make kids vulnerable.”

PHHS Principal Michelle Irwin believes that by giving students knowledge about human trafficking, they’ll be better prepared to face societal dangers.

“We need to make sure our students know these risks,” Irwin explained. “Our hope is [that] our students stay safe. Unfortunately, there are dangers lurking just a keystroke away and this is what we are hoping our students avoid. Knowledge is power.”

Prior to the class, sophomore Nico Dorio didn’t realize the severity of this issue.

“I didn’t know how often [human trafficking] happens in San Diego, I didn’t think it was as big of a problem as it is,” Dorio said. In fact, Children of the Immaculate Heart reports that the average age for victims to enter trafficking is between 14 and 16.

For sophomore Giselle Bravo, Clark’s class has taught her a few valuable lessons, as well.

“I think you should trust people but you can never be too trusting,” Bravo remarked. “Even loved ones that you trust can do something like that to you so it opened my eyes to be more aware of my surroundings.”

Although Clark prioritizes teaching this topic directly to her students in a classroom setting, she encourages parents to continue conversations about this topic at home.

“My next goal is to bring it to the parents,” Clark said. “I’m not trying to scare any kids or sensationalize anything but as an adult, [they] too can be a preventative measure.”

Despite Clark’s niece being found and safely returned home, there are many individuals and families that lack the resources and information to protect themselves and others.

After recognizing her power and not wanting to feel helpless, Clark is now arming current and future students with the skills to protect themselves outside of the classroom.