2012 NAFE WOMEN OF EXCELLENCE – NAFE ACE AWARD

A southern California native and a radiation technologist with three children, Darlene Tarnoski had a chance encounter with an FBI agent in October, 2010, that changed her life. While selling her jewelry at a local craft fair, she met an agent whose work is rescuing trafficked children. When he described how fatherly-looking guys find young girls and offer them a place to stay, then sell them for sex—over and over again—she asked him, “What are your needs?” Now when the sheriff’s department or FBI rescues a victim in Riverside County, CA, they call Darlene and request an emergency 72-hour shelter where the girls get a hot meal and a “dignity bag” and wait for placement. At the shelter, the girls relinquish their clothes and possessions for evidence, so dignity bags contain clothing, toiletries, journal, pen, and other necessities.

Darlene works with Operation Safehouse, a local 18-bed sanctuary for rescued girls with seven beds. “Did you know that in the whole U.S., there are only five shelters for rescued child trafficking victims?” she asked. “Human Trafficking has grown from a $33B to a $44B industry since I got involved in 2010. It’s happening more with both parents working, often more than one job, and with social media targeting unsupervised teens.” A young girl may believe she’s on the phone with another teen while actually communicating with a predator, who may offer a modeling or acting career.

Through working with her NAFE network in California, Darlene has had an impact speaking about this crisis. Her new campaign “Let's Get Back to Basics: Don't Talk to Strangers” urges having five-minute conversations which can alert girls and keep them safe. Education is key, insists Darlene: “Most people don’t believe child trafficking is happening in America, but the FBI says it’s in every city and town, growing faster than drug and weapons trafficking. You can sell a human life up to 15 times a day!”

Darlene says the most rewarding experience she’s had is as a mentor for trafficking survivors. “I spend time with them, take them for outings, shopping and appointments. I work with them on journaling, and I transport them to foster homes, if they have no other home. I want them know they are surrounded by great people at Operation Safehouse, and that they always have me. What happened to them will never go away, but with daily counseling and group therapy, we can give them hope and direction for a better future.”