OUR ​REACH & IMPACT 

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Fueled by the powerful stories of survivors and advocates and a desire to foster change alongside our partners across the globe, California’s Forgotten Children has become a movement. We have reached thousands of people internationally raising awareness about the prevalence of child sex trafficking through festival and community screenings; mobilizing change within communities by partnering with local advocates and survivor leaders; and inspiring education reform that advocates for bringing an end to the exploitation of children.

It is at the heart of California’s Forgotten Children's mission to bring impact that sparks important conversations, and connects with audiences around the world to create change. This film gives viewers the tools to combat this epidemic and empowers survivors on their path to freedom. Let's put an end to commercial sexual exploitation and not leave any child behind.

CAPITOL HILL
California's Forgotten Children documentary was approved by the United States Senate to screen on Capitol Hill on June 26th, 2019 and invited Congress and the public to see the film.  

 The film screened in room SD-106 at the Dirksen Senate Building and had a powerful panel discussion after the film giving the stage to Ambassador ​​Withelma “T” Ortiz Walker Pettigrew, CSEC First Responder Jamerson Sean Watson,  and Director Melody Miller to talk about policy.

The film made a life-changing impact to the individuals that attended the screening. It encouraged a partnership in creating and implementing laws and policies to combat trafficking, and resources for prevention, protection, and prosecution.

Raising Awareness 

• Screened with a panel discussion at the 2018 United State of Women Summit, where former first lady Michelle Obama was the keynote speaker.
• Screened at FACEBOOK HEADQUARTERS in California, Texas, and Dublin, Ireland to train an international staff in protecting at-risk people from real-world harm. Before and after the documentary Facebook staff had a powerful discussion with the Ambassadors from the film to formulate strategies for protecting children.
• Brought audiences and local human rights organizations together in the United States, Nepal, and the United Kingdom to discuss the film and how it relates to their community.
• Launched an Impact Campaign to have 100 screenings around the world for the year 2019.

Mobilizing Change

• In June 2019, it screened on Capitol Hill at the United States Senate encouraging policymakers in creating and implementing laws and policies to combat trafficking, and resources for prevention, protection, and prosecution. ​
  
• 65+ grassroots community partner organizations and corporate partners engaged and active in work with California’s Forgotten Children.
• Established ongoing partnerships with the Department of Social Services, District Attorney’s Offices in California, foster care systems, juvenile halls, crisis centers, and health services organizations.
• Reached students, educational institutions, corporate employees, and policy leaders through screenings of the film.
• Helped fundraise for safe-homes, crisis centers, and direct services for victims of commercial sexual exploitation, sexual assault, homelessness, and HIV/AIDS.

Education

• Collaborated with a local crisis center and the police for screenings held at six high schools to educate thousands of students, including community screenings where families of students were encouraged to attend. The film has already helped several victims who have reached out for help.
• Worked to create an interactive guidebook that accompanies the film and will be integrated into Health & Safety courses.
• Screened at Universities and Community Colleges across the country.
• Translated into Spanish and subtitled to reach a more inclusive audience; currently being translated into more languages to reach an even wider audience. ​

California’s Forgotten Children started with the intention of highlighting the stories of survivors and advocates to shine a light on the epidemic of child sex trafficking within our communities. It has transformed into a movement to educate and to mobilize in the fight to end unlawful trafficking of minors. Our expanding network includes partners on the ground that range from nonprofits, government organizations, and survivors themselves.

Sparking Hope and Action in Communities

From film screenings to in-class learning educators, non-profits, government, law enforcement, film festivals, and corporate companies are using California's Forgotten Children documentary to create impact around the world.