The Zonta Club of Santa Clarita is set to host their annual “16 days of Activism” in efforts to prevent domestic violence and human trafficking, officials said Friday.

This year the annual “16 days of Activism” is set to take place from Nov. 25 through Dec. 10, according to Zonta officials.

Since 2016, Zonta Club of Santa Clarita Valley has participated in the annual “Zonta Says NO to Violence Against Women” campaign in collaboration with the Child and Family Center to bring awareness to the issue of domestic violence in our community, according to officials.

This year the Zonta Club is set to display seven red dresses displayed outdoors in the public that symbolize seven women who lost their lives to domestic violence in Santa Clarita, according to officials.

“They are a haunting and inescapable symbol of bloodshed in our community,” Zonta officials said. “Domestic violence is happening in our neighborhoods and it cannot be ignored.”

The Zonta club is encouraging Santa Clarita residents to speak up if anyone ever sees or hears of domestic and family violence.

In addition to domestic violence, human trafficking is another issue affecting women in the Santa Clarita Valley.

The 5 Freeway corridor is an area of concern since it has been identified as a major artery for human trafficking.

Vulnerable girls, such as formerly incarcerated youth and emancipated foster youth, are often targeted as victims, according to officials.

Zonta has worked with the girls at Camp Scott and emancipated foster youth at Fostering Youth Independence (FYI) in the fight against human trafficking, according to officials.

In addition, Zonta Club of SCV’s advocacy committee is working in conjunction with law enforcement on providing emergency personal comfort supplies in a backpack for survivors of human trafficking.

The committee is also working on a separate program that is expected to encourage women to contact hotel or bar staff members if they are uncomfortable with their date or companion, according to officials.

From: KHTS (https://www.hometownstation.com/santa-clarita-news/community-news/zonta-club-of-santa-clarita-valley-to-host-annual-16-days-of-activism-355724)