Human traffickers continue to victimize young people, and the most vulnerable are often rural teens who have been lured by social media predators.
Southwest Crisis Center’s Allan Bakke will return to Luverne this weekend with heartbreaking stories of victims and to urge local awareness and prevention.
“Putting an end to human trafficking starts with acknowledging its existence,” Bakke said.
“It happens worldwide. It happens here. It touches every community, including cities, suburbs, and rural towns.”
He and trafficking survivor Danielle Freitag will be in Luverne from 2 to 4 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 26, in the American Reformed Church to share information.
“We will focus on a firsthand experience by Danielle of how it happens to ‘regular’ people, the journey through it, and what communities can do to prevent exploitation and trafficking,” Bakke said.
“This event focuses on a call to action that communities can do that is geared toward prevention and action.”
Freitag is co-founder of Action 169, an organization that works to end human trafficking and sexual exploitation through prayer, awareness and intervention.
After overcoming addiction and years in the commercial sex industry, Freitag earned a bachelor’s degree in health science in Mankato and became a licensed alcohol and drug counselor and published author.
She now shares her story nationally and internationally and offers hope for solutions.
She joins Bakke for this year’s trafficking message, “Community Call to Action,” intended to engage citizens and local leaders in trafficking awareness.
“There is something each of us can do to help prevent it,” Bakke said. “Join with us to learn how communities can develop their own call to action to end sexual exploitation.”
He said the more communities know about human trafficking — its causes, who’s vulnerable, who’s preying on young people, etc. — the more successful communities will be in preventing it and stopping it.
The event is free and open to the public. Contact Jennifer@mnswcc.org for details.
Funding for Sunday’s event is supported by Hardwick Zion Lutheran Church Women’s Missionary League, which donated $852 to the Crisis Center from proceeds raised at its annual soup supper.