The Sisterhood at Malibu Jewish Center & Synagogue is partnering with the Malibu Film Society to sponsor a human trafficking forum, to be hosted by State Senator Henry Stern, and followed by a screening of the film “Sold.”
“The purpose of the forum is to help educate the community about the issue of human trafficking, which happens even in our own backyard,” said local organizer Lori Gray.
Stern, who represents Malibu in Sacramento, will talk about the updated Human Trafficking bill SB 225 he introduced in the wake of a major human trafficking sweep in California a couple of months ago that yielded 474 arrests and identified at least 55 survivors.
If Stern’s bill passes, all state hotels, motels, inns, B&Bs and transient lodgings (other than personal residences) will be required to post human trafficking hotline numbers that the public or victims can call or text to seek help or report unlawful activity.
A California law that passed in 2013 requires that hotline numbers, which operate 24/7 and are toll-free, must be posted by a variety of businesses, but Stern’s bill expands on that and adds the option of text messaging. Victims of slavery and human trafficking are already protected under U.S. and California law.
“Sold” is a 2014 feature-length film based on the critically acclaimed novel by Patricia McCormick, which was based on true stories. It was executive produced by Emma Thompson, stars Gillian Anderson and David Arquette, and was directed/written by Oscar-winner Jeffrey Brown.
The event will be held Thursday, April 27, with doors opening at 7 p.m. for a 7:30 showtime at the Malibu Screening Room, located at MJCS, 24855 PCH, Malibu. The event is free and open to the entire community with reservations at MalibuFilmSociety.org.