Conference aims to stop human trafficking

Nanette Ward, who works with Central Missouri Stop Human Trafficking Coalition, speaks Saturday to advocates, survivors and loved ones affected by human trafficking during the Missouri Stop Human Trafficking Conference at Catholic Charities Central. The weekend-long event brings those concerned about the issue together. The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops have been advocates to stop human trafficking for more than a decade.
Nanette Ward, who works with Central Missouri Stop Human Trafficking Coalition, speaks Saturday to advocates, survivors and loved ones affected by human trafficking during the Missouri Stop Human Trafficking Conference at Catholic Charities Central. The weekend-long event brings those concerned about the issue together. The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops have been advocates to stop human trafficking for more than a decade.

The voices of survivors, advocates and questioning community members were heard Friday and Saturday during the Stop Human Trafficking Coalition Conference.

Held by the Catholic Charities Diocese of Jefferson City, national and local service providers shared educational tools to conference attendees. This was the first public conference coordinated by the coalition.

"I'm pretty impressed because Missouri is ahead of the game in my opinion," coalition volunteer April Rothweiler said. "We have a lot of legislatures that are fighting on behalf of victims and trying to make changes that are needed; we've got a lot of law enforcement training and business initiatives that are not in other states."

In March 2018, Missouri legislation passed House Bill 1246 requiring the department of public safety to post information about the human trafficking hotline in conspicuous places where survivors may find them.

Polaris runs the 24/7 national human trafficking hotline (1-888-373-7888). The nonprofit allows anyone to find the next steps in their situation as a survivor, friend, family members or connected agency looking for assistance. Trafficking includes sexual exploitation of adults or minors and labor.

"One of the things we struggle with as a trafficking community is the emphasis on sex trafficking so there's not as much focus on labor trafficking," service provider partnership manager Jenny Sell said. "So when a labor trafficking survivor reaches out to us, especially an adult male or transgender person they're not going to have the same scope of services available to them as a female would."

The organization added a text line and online chat this year, increasing their efforts to reach more survivors discreetly and provide immunity.

In 2017, 435 calls, 10 text conversations, 20 emails and 60 online forms were submitted by Missouri residents. The organization noted most calls come from community members reporting suspicious activities. Last year, the hotline identified 38 trafficking businesses statewide.

"One of the things I want you to understand is this doesn't just happen in big cities, it can happen to anyone, anywhere," April Detienne said.

Detienne is the founder of William C. Potter Foundation in Callaway County. She said the group works to shut down businesses known for trafficking and spread awareness of the issue in the community.

"We need to stop it and we're the only ones that can and we have to have your help to do it. One of the best resources that you can give a person is support."

During a panel discussion, survivors encouraged each other through sharing and laughter. Many said speaking out at public events, although triggering, helps them feel hopeful for change and increasing awareness.

Anne Richardson, a Jefferson City survivor, retold her account of trafficking as a mother and grandmother.

"It can happen to anybody in Jeff City it is here," Richardson said. "Recovery is an ongoing mental process support is very hard to find the coalition is literally what saved my live."

Coalition board member Nanette Ward is part of outreach, client services, trainings and more. Many panel members credited their journey to her work.