What You Can Do
Human trafficking is the most horrific human rights violation in our world, inflicting irreparable damage on millions of children and adults around the globe. But working together, we can end it. And we must.
Everyone can help in the initiative to end human trafficking. Whether you’re an interested individual community member or a Rotary Club member, read below how you can help.
What Your Rotary Club Can Do
What Individuals Can Do
- Take a personal commitment to learn everything you can about this horrible crime and what is happening in your community. Click here to learn more.
- Tell friends, colleagues and family members about it; post and share articles and information on social media.
- Invite a speaker to your workplace, your schools or community groups.
- Volunteer and/or make contributions to local organizations working with at-risk youth
- Support our initiative
- Join your local Rotary Club! Find a club near you
Spot the signs
Sex trafficking happens 365 days a year. Here is what to look for:
- Signs of. Violence unexplained bruises, black eyes, cuts, or marks
- Behaviors including fear, anxiety, depression, hyper vigilance, nervousness
- Easily startled, agitated, or afraid
- Unsure of where they are
- Not in control of money or documents
- Accompanied by older “boyfriend” / companion
- Dressed to look older or inappropriately for the weather/situation
- Name or symbol tattooed or branded on neck, chest, or arms
Schedule a Speaker
To schedule a Rotary speaker for your Rotary club or community group contact:
In addition, you can consider inviting a representative of one of the organizations on our Resource page, or consider inviting your local law enforcement personnel to find out what’s happening in your community.
Rotary Club Projects
We know that to end human trafficking we have to prevent it from happening in the first place. So Rotary’s focus is:
- Raising Awareness
- Educating Youth and Adults
- Reducing Risk Factors that make children vulnerable to traffickers
- Stopping the Demand
Rotary clubs are working to raise awareness of human trafficking in their communities and providing financial and volunteer support to local organizations working to end it. Here are some examples of what Rotary Clubs are Doing:
Glenwood/Starbuck, MN Project
Several events were held in the Glenwood, MN, area in the autumn of 2019 that provided information, awareness, and discussion on the topic of ending human trafficking in their local community.
- “Local Resources and Trends” was held October 2, 2019, from 5:30 to 6:30 PM in Glenwood, MN.
- “Human Trafficking Panel Discussion” was held October 23, 2019, from 5:30 to 6:30 PM in Starbuck, MN.
- “John Talks: Men Breaking Free – The Demand for Sex” was held November 13, 2019, from 5:30 to 6:30 PM in Glenwood, MN.
For more information contact Amber at amber.j@someplacesafe.info. Someplace Safe Pope County (MN) provided over 4,000 services to crime victims and their families over the past year.
Northfield, MN Project
Northfield Rotary (District 5960) co-sponsored a panel discussion on Human Trafficking at the St. John’s Lutheran Church (Women of the ELCA) evening program. Three Rotary panelists participated.
For more information, contact Jean Wakely
Assistant Governor of Area 4
Northfield, MN
jeanwakely@gmail.com
Golden Valley, MN Project
The Rotary Club of Golden Valley, MN, held an event on January 7, 2019 featuring Sean Levesque, of Love2Hope, entitled “Travels Against Trafficking”. Sean has spent his entire career teaching and inspiring others through his roles as a teacher, personal coach, master trainer, instructor, and presenter. He is the co-founder (with wife, Kay) and executive director of Love2Hope, a family non-profit bringing awareness to human trafficking across America. He is a trained communicator through the Dale Carnegie Institute and an Ambassador of Hope with Shared Hope International and Stories Foundation. He has worked in the fitness industry for 20+ years and loves to see people healthy, active, and living life on purpose.
Roseville Club Partnership
Three separate events were held as part of the initiative to stop human trafficking in Roseville, MN. This initiative is a partnership of the Roseville Police Foundation, Roseville Rotary, Roseville Visitors Association, and Grace Church all working together to fund Human Trafficking Efforts of Roseville Police Department. The 3 events were held as follows:
- September 18, 2018: The objective was to target perpetrators and gather intelligence. It was held from 9 AM to 6 PM.
- December 12, 2018: The objectives were to respond to online ads for prostitution, gather intelligence, and to introduce Source. MN in the project. (Source MN is a non-profit organization with mission to disrupt Human Trafficking through outreach and resources.)
- January 17, 2019: Presentations were provided by Roseville Police Department, The Source MN, and Breaking Free. It was entitled “Stop Human Trafficking – Community Presentation”, and it was held at the Ramsey County Library in Roseville, MN.
Prior Lake, MN Club
Our club has a district grant to improve the facilities at Passageways, safe housing and programming for sex trafficked young men and women. Passageways is operated by The Link. There are 4 parts to our project. We hope to have all things completed by late fall of 2019.
“Passageways Shelter and Housing Program provides emergency shelter beds for youth ages 13-17 and housing for youth ages 16-24 who have been victims of sex trafficking. Passageways is inclusive of all gender identities and can serve parenting youth with one child. The Passageways program also provides a variety of on-site services specific to sexual exploitation that include case management, mental health therapy, education programming, life skills training, a survivor mentor program, health care services and positive youth development activities.” Passageways is the only place of its kind that services boys and transgender youth as well as females.
The project is in four parts, with each addressing a critical need for the support of the clients served. Each part focuses on the comfort and livability of the facility, supplemental education opportunities for the clients, and physical and emotional healing and well-being of the clients.
The 4-part project will take a minimum of one year to complete. It will be done in phases based on availability of people who will donate services, availability of affordable equipment needed and staffing provided by the school district with which Passageways is affiliated.
Edina, MN Club
The Rotary Club of Edina hosted a presentation and panel discussion on human trafficking on Thursday, September 19, 2019. They held a panel discussion with three experts who have dedicated their lives to stopping and addressing the effects of human trafficking. They included: Carla Marroquin (Founder and Director of Protect Me Protect); Kenna Dick (Detective with Edina Police); and Heidi Nauman (Executive Dirctor of Super Hero Kids Foundation). The speakers discussed the issues surrounding international human traffickers, as well as what is going on within our Twin Cities community. The goal was for all of our attendees to walk away with a better understanding of what human trafficking looks like, know what steps are being taken in our community to address the problem, and what we can do individually in our community, schools, and families to stop it. For more information, email the club administrator, Becci Michalski, at rmichalski@EdinaRotary.org.
Blaine/Ham Lake/Fridley, MN Club
The Blaine/Ham Lake Rotary club hosted a Human Trafficking Community Forum to raise awareness and better educate our citizens. This forum featured a panelist format with representation from law enforcement and other non-profits that focus on reducing demand, prevention, and helping victims. The Fridley Rotary Club is also partnering directly with the Blaine/Ham Lake club on this initiative.
The date for this Forum was Wednesday, June 26th, 2019 from 6:30-7:30 pm at Blaine Firestation #3. Admission was free. The timing of this event was important as it immediately preceded the 3M Open golf Tournament held in Blaine.
Eden Prairie, MN Club
Eden Prairie Rotary club sponsored pilot training for the Eden Prairie Schools for Super Hero Kids that was funded with a Rotary club grant. The “Super Hero Kids Foundation” matched Rotary’s grant and then matched it again with a $4,000 donation for pilot training for 4th-6th and 7th & 8th grades!
The Rotary club then held the pilot training for all EP K-8th grade students on Saturday, May 4th, 2019 from 9-10am at Oak Point School, with a minimal fee of $10/family to attend (this helps secure attendance, helps to pay for the Community Ed services and can be waived for families in need). In this way, families were able to attend and have all of their children trained in personal safety at once and in one hour.
So many children in EP will be safer soon thanks to our Eden Prairie AM Rotary Club generosity and the fantastic team of Rotary Anti-Human Trafficking: Carol Bomben, Jan Eian, Roger Jorgensen and Kevin Kraemer.
Minneapolis/Chaska/Waconia, MN Club
An event entitled, “Next Steps Minnesota COMMUNITY DIALOG To End Human Trafficking, was held April 5, 2019, at Hazeltine National Golf Club in Chaska, MN. The event was jointly sponsored by A.C.T. United of Carver County MN and the Rotary clubs of the City of Lakes Minneapolis, Chaska, and Waconia, MN.
The event included a welcome address, followed by a round-table dialogue, lunch, and closing remarks. For more information, contact: connect.actunited@gmail.com.
Roseville, MN Club
The Roseville club hosted a fundraiser, Flights for Freedom, at BentBrewstillery on Monday, April 29, 2019 from 4 – 7 PM. Roseville Rotary, Roseville Police Foundation, Roseville Visitors Association, Grace Church and Roseville PD were all involved. Ramsey County Attorney John Choi spoke during the event.
See more info on the link below:
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/freedom-flights-tickets-57040869777
