The first ever Human Trafficking Youth Advocacy Summit to educate high school students was June 27.

The South Carolina Office of the Attorney General, Children’s Trust of SC, and the SC Commission for Minority Affairs hosted the event in Northeast Columbia.

The day-long event was free to all high school students and included lunch as well as door prizes and anti-human trafficking resources.

There were non-profit and state agency tables distributing materials to the youth.

“This is a great opportunity for young people from throughout South Carolina to gain knowledge about a critical issue impacting communities across the state,” said Kathryn Moorehead, Director of Violence Against Women and Human Trafficking Programs at the Attorney General’s Office.

“Our goal is for high school students to better understand human trafficking in an effort to prevent them from becoming victims and position them to educate their peers when they return home.”

Attorney General Alan Wilson said, “This Youth Advocacy Summit has the potential to save lives.”

Included in the day’s event was Human Trafficking 101 presentation by the South Carolina Human Trafficking Task Force Youth Advocacy sub-committee and a law enforcement and judiciary panel exploring what happens after a victim is rescued.