Marin Voice: Education is key to stopping sexual exploitation of children

Our children are being exploited. Our children are asking for help. We can do better.

It has been said the ostrich is the unofficial bird for Marin County – burying its head in the sand. I’ve been in countless classrooms and youth events and, sadly, I think we are living up to that punchline.

It’s easier to look the other way than try to digest the facts about how our youth are being exploited. There are youth in Marin from all ZIP codes experiencing abuse, harassment or exploitation, or even becoming victims of human trafficking (either online or in person).

There’s more sextortion and grooming cases now than I’ve ever seen before. Two out of three won’t report their experiences to an adult. You may say, “In Marin? No, it couldn’t happen here.” But it does.

The world our youth live in is growing far more rapidly than our ability to provide oversight, and our children are wondering where to go for support. Acknowledging the problem and normalizing this conversation has been something I have been advocating for since 2018. It was a problem then, but even greater now.

I am executive director for SpeakSafe, a nonprofit organization. Our multigenerational task force is working together to bring awareness about youth exploitation and victimization in our local Marin County community. We have a team of paid student interns from Marin. Representing many high schools and colleges, they are using their student voices to educate and bring awareness to this much needed topic. As one of our students remarked, “I work with SpeakSafe because the organization gives me the opportunity to stand up for those who might not have the capability to be their own advocate.”

In 2024, we are making inroads. But these tools – knowing what to look for and how to ask for help, to name a few strategies – are not reaching those who need them most.

I’m hearing from an increasing number of students in our county who need serious help and don’t know what to do. There are nonconsensual images created by artificial intelligence, cyberflashing, undressing apps, sextortion and unhealthy relationships with mentors and coaches.

Many times, youth are exploited by their peers or someone they know. After being educated, they are able to understand they have been groomed and to ask for help. Often, this problem is not discussed. Sometimes our heads are “in the sand,” until there is a lawsuit, which has caused many school districts to backpedal after the damage is done. Recent local news reports have highlighted more than 50 Bay Area schools facing sexual abuse lawsuits.

It is now California law (Senate Bill 1227) to have all school staff, faculty, students and parents receive training. The simple presentation describes all forms of exploitation, plus resources and, very importantly, who to call when help is needed. Many districts have raised funding specifically for this, but as someone on the frontlines who is often brought in to give these presentations, I can tell you we are missing large swathes of young people who need these tools more than ever.

Students often tell me they are tired of people in Marin just pushing this topic under the rug when so many of their friends are experiencing this in their lives.

I know Marin County can do better. Let’s educate and support teachers, coaches and staff. They, in turn, can help our students and families stay safe. Students will know if someone is being exploited way before we will. They are our boots on the ground, and they need to know where and who to go to, and what their next steps should be. As adults, we should know this information and be able to provide the answers.

Let’s do better this school year by making time to educate our kids and communities. Advocate for education in your schools and communities. A little prevention will help save children before it’s a serious problem.

If you’d like to help or learn more, please feel free to contact us through speaksafe.org.

Marlene Capra is executive director of SpeakSafe, a Marin-based nonprofit organization, and an executive board member for the Marin Coalition to End Human Trafficking.