June 13, 2023

SpeakSafe is an organization dedicated to saving adolescents from exploitation. The team made up of program organizers, college students and highschool students work together to attend conferences, create presentations and present to various schools across the Bay Area. SpeakSafe educates individuals about exploitation, human trafficking and much more. In 2022 the team shared many presentations in an effort to spread awareness at schools in the Bay Area.

Marlene Capra, founder of SpeakSafe, visits different schools where she talks about youth exploitation and brings awareness to young people across the Bay Area. Capra speaks about her own experiences in highschool where she was sexually exploited and how, at the time, she thought it was normal. This experience promoted Capra to found SpeakSafe;  her goal is to educate youth and work to prevent exploitation.

Capra explained just how prevalent exploitation is and why it is so important to educate young people about this topic.

“Youth Exploitation is happening in every city and state,” Capra said. It does not favor a certain zip code or economic background, race, gender or age in Marin County and neighboring countries.”

According to a study from the University of California San Diego, more than 86% of women in California report having experienced some form of sexual harassment or assault in their lifetime.

SpeakSafe is looking for new volunteers. This can be a great summer job opportunity open to anyone who wants to help spread awareness. SpeakSafe is looking for volunteers from all different backgrounds. They offer paid internships and volunteer work. For more information you can email marcapra@comcast.net. San Domenico will hopefully host SpeakSafe at an assembly next year.