In an effort to continue to build awareness about human trafficking and generate interest in helping the organization, the Siouxland Coalition Against Human Trafficking (SCAHT) is sponsoring a walk on Oct. 19.
The Walk Against Human Trafficking will be held at Crystal Cove Park, 1200 W 39th St., South Sioux City. The event will begin with registration at 8:30 a.m. – no pre-registration required - followed by a welcome at 9 a.m. and the walk at 9:15 a.m.
“We are looking at this as a walk and learn,” said Bernadette Rixner, a member of SCAHT and a parishioner at Holy Cross Parish in Sioux City. “We will have some representatives of local law enforcement and service agencies share a brief experience they’ve had with human trafficking in Siouxland or something they have come to understand about human trafficking.”
There is no cost to participate in the 1.5 mile walk around the lake as it is not being used as a fundraiser. Its purpose is to raise awareness about human trafficking. Those who participate in the walk will also have the opportunity to express interest in becoming involved in the work of SCAHT.
To assist in raising awareness, Rixner noted that along the walk there will be stations with individuals handing out slips of paper containing information about human trafficking.
10 years The Siouxland Coalition Against Human Trafficking was established 10 years ago after the Diocesan Peace and Justice Commission in the diocese organized a conference in June of 2014 which drew hundreds of participants. At the time, Rixner was a member of the commission and she coordinated many of the group’s efforts including the conference.
“Almost 300 people came,” said Rixner. “Led by the Spirit, I put out a sign-up sheet for anyone who wanted to follow-up. The following month I called everyone on the sheet and we made arrangements to meet.”
That is how SCAHT was established.
Rixner acknowledged that when the coalition was first formed, the group’s focus and purpose was not fine-tuned but in time it became clear that education and awareness raising about the topic would be the primary goal.
In the last 10 years, members of SCAHT have presented to various groups – presenting to more than 10,000 people. Among the group’s who have invited SCAHT to present are various parish groups such as Catholic Daughters.
“We have spoken to group of five to 500,” she said. “We have enough connections that if someone wants a presentation and it is out of our wheelhouse, we will find someone for them. We are connected to the Iowa Network Against Human Trafficking.”
The coalition also shares information with other agencies in town to ensure those other groups have the latest information and resources they need.
“When we started 10 years ago our presentations had to be focused on telling people what human trafficking was and helping them understand that it is here – not just in another country or in a big city,” said Rixner. “When we give presentations now that no longer has to be our focus. For the most part people know what it is and that it happens all over, so that’s growth.”
Knowledge expands Even in the last five years, she noted their own understanding and awareness of human trafficking has grown considerably over the last five years.
For instance, when they first began discussing the issue years ago they would describe traffickers having a stable of people they sold.
“Now we know that kids are more likely to have gotten into human trafficking by their social media interactions than by abduction,” said Rixner.
While it’s hard to get good statistics on human trafficking because it is a hidden crime, she mentioned that the Polaris Project estimates that in the United States 10% of human trafficking victims are kidnapped/abducted and 45% became involved through their social media activity. For instance, it might be that a juvenile has been coerced into sending a compromising sexual photo to someone who then uses it as blackmail.
“They are targeting middle school aged boys who do not have $1,500,” she noted, which leads to commercial sex. “It’s a really bad scene. Last year there were 25 certified suicides due to it.”
SCAHT now is aware of resources/agencies available to help in those situations.
“It’s changing and we have to help people see what human trafficking looks like now compared to 10 years ago,” said Rixner, who acknowledged that trafficking by family members has remained a problem through the years. Be it sexual or labor trafficking, she noted that “educating the young people can be a start in understanding that familial trafficking is not ok.”
As the local commission networks with other like groups and learns more information they continue to share with others.
“People should know that anyone can be a victim and anyone can be a trafficker,” she said. “There are grandmothers who are selling their grandchildren and there are adults who are being lured into trafficking – from male and female.”
Coming up In addition to the walk, SCAHT has other activities in the coming months. January is National Human Trafficking Prevention Month. During this time, they try to have local governments issue a proclamation for the month. Also during the month of January, they promote Light Up In Blue where businesses and institution decorate with blue lights to raise awareness about human trafficking.
SCAHT November meeting will be held at 6 p.m. the second Tuesday of the month in the Ho-Chunk Center. Anyone interested in helping with their efforts is welcome to attend.
For more information or to request resources, contact the coalition at [email protected] or call (712) 281-4840.