Soroptimist International of Oak Harbor and the Oak Harbor Branch of Skagit Valley College will be hosting a forum covering the topic of Human Trafficking on Thursday, Feb. 24 at 6 p.m. at Hayes Hall on the Skagit Valley College campus.

The documentary film, “Call+Response” will be shown followed by a panel discussion focusing on the human trafficking issue in our local area.  The panelists will include Detective Sergeant Terry Gardner of Oak Harbor Police Department and Lacie Morrison, executive director of “Seattle Against Slavery.”

The film, “Call+Response” has been featured on CNN Newsource, Dr. Phil,  the Insider, Morning Joe and the Today Show. It is a documentary that reveals the world’s 27 million dirtiest secrets: there are more slaves today than ever before in human history. It was produced to raise public awareness to the fact that modern day slavery involves approximately 27 million people enslaved in forced or bonded labor, child labor, sexual servitude and involuntary servitude.  Of the victims of trafficking, 79 percent end up in sex slavery, mostly women and girls.

Soroptimists around the world are working to end the enslavement of women and girls trapped in an exploitative and abusive system, bought and sold like objects, and treated with no dignity or human decency.

In order to end this modern-day slavery, Soroptimists use a multi-dimensional approach that includes raising awareness, assisting victims, preventing slavery from happening in the first place, and advocationg for better laws and enforcement.

For further information, please call Stephanie Smith at 360-320-7118 or visit callandresponse.com.