San Bernardino County hosts event on reducing human trafficking

The 2025 Human Trafficking Symposium, held on Jan. 16 in Ontario, brought together 50 youth and over 400 professionals to tackle one of society’s most pressing challenges — human trafficking.

Spearheaded by the Coalition Against Sexual Exploitation, the San Bernardino County Children’s Network event inspired attendees with new tools and resources and a shared pledge to make a meaningful impact in 2025.

“We really want people to understand this is happening here,” CASE Coordinator Angel Magallanes said in a county video on the event.

The symposium’s keynote speaker was former NFL quarterback Tim Tebow. Known for his advocacy through the Tim Tebow Foundation, he delivered passionate remarks about the need for collaborative efforts to combat human trafficking and child exploitation. Tebow emphasized the need for innovative solutions to reduce trafficking, and he also spoke about the issue’s global scope. 

“His words resonated deeply with the audience, earning widespread praise for their thought-provoking and actionable insights,” according to a county statement.

“There are so many people that are in desperate situations, and they are starving for help,” Tebow said at the symposium. “Maybe some of the solutions, some of the collaborations, some of the ideas, some of the game-planning, some of the prayers that take place here might be some of the solutions to them getting out of that place of desperation.”

CASE played a key role in organizing the event, assembling experts, survivors and advocates to provide symposium attendees with information on trauma-informed care techniques, survivor empowerment strategies and data on modern trafficking trends. 

County officials observed that “the coalition’s leadership ensured a dynamic and impactful program designed to educate and inspire action within the community.”

Symposium participants took part in workshops, youth sessions and panel discussions that explored timely topics ranging “from culturally responsive interventions to building resilience in survivors,” officials said. “Attendees gained valuable tools for supporting survivors and fostering change in their communities. The youth, inspired by Tebow and interactive enrichment activities, committed to raising awareness and becoming change-makers in their own right.”

Magallanes said “this particular symposium was really focusing on the youth and bringing activism to the educational system.”

The event’s conclusion was a panel discussion and closing remarks, in which attendees made a collective pledge to take action this year in the battle against human trafficking. Children’s Network and CASE emphasized the importance of partnerships and grassroots efforts to maintain progress and foster systemic change.

“We are immensely proud of the impact this symposium has had on our community,” Children’s Network Officer Ashley Brooksher said in a statement. “This event reflects our unwavering commitment to eradicating human trafficking. By uniting professionals, youth and advocates, we are empowering our community to create a brighter, safer future for all.”

The symposium underscored the vital role of education, collaboration and action in addressing human trafficking. With CASE at the helm, attendees left with renewed resolve and actionable strategies to leverage resources in San Bernardino County and beyond.

“I didn’t take it serious at first because it didn’t happen to me. But as we talked about it — especially as girls, as young girls — I want everybody to feel that it’s real and it could happen to anybody,” said Niyana Harris, a student who attended the symposium.

For additional information about CASE or to get involved in efforts to help stop human trafficking, officials said to call 909-383-9677.

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