Issue link: http://educator.cta.org/i/994766
to carve out time for a topic that is life or death. I had a young lady with bad attendance, and I found out later that s h e w a s e n ga g i n g i n e xo t i c d a n c i n g across the border." Teaching about human trafficking is now the law e Human Trafficking Prevention Edu- cation and Training Act (AB 1227), passed by the state Legislature in 2017, requires all public schools to offer education and training about human trafficking to staff and students beginning this year, with a focus on identification and preven- tion. Introduced by Assembly Member Rob Bonta (D-Oa k land), sponsored by 3Strands, and supported by CTA and others, the bill went through the legisla- tive process without a single no vote and was signed into law by Gov. Jerry Brown. California is the first state in the nation to adopt such a mandate. (Gov. Brown signed bills in 2016 to decriminalize prostitution for minors because they are underage and there- f ore v i c ti m s . O n e bi l l al l ow s mi n ors under the age of 16 to testify through closed-circuit television so they do not have to face their pimp.) B oyd-Kam ei strongly suppor ts th e new law, which requires schools to take th e l ead in educatin g y ouths, b egin - ning in seventh grade. Her district has worked closely with 3Strands to create curriculum designed to teach students to develop self-confidence, recognize healthy relationships, identify predators, and obtain help for peers who may be involved in human trafficking. " Teachers are focused on providing children with things they need to be suc- cessful in life, such as how to write, do math, and be equipped for college and the world of work," says Boyd-Kamei, a home hospital teacher. "But if students are intercepted by human traffickers, all this work could be for naught, and the psycho- logical and physical effects are immense. " What you don't want to do is be judgmental or ask a student to go into details. Be a good listener." — Heather Hoffman, 3Strands Global Foundation Malcolm Robinson, 11th-grade AVID teacher at San Diego High School, speaks up during the training. Wallet cards with helpful tips to recognize signs of trafficking and prevent it. 24 cta.org Feature