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Sex trafficking workshop in the Treasure Valley


The coalition believes educating the community is the answer to stopping sex trafficking in our state (KBOI 2News Staff)
The coalition believes educating the community is the answer to stopping sex trafficking in our state (KBOI 2News Staff)
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Think sex trafficking is not an issue in Idaho? Think again.

The signs of sex trafficking are oftentimes subtle — but, they're all around us, according to the Idaho Anti-Trafficking Coalition.

The coalition offered a free training to help community members spot the signs of sex trafficking on Tuesday.

It was held at the Vineyard in Garden City from 6 - 8 p.m.

The coalition believes educating the community is the answer to stopping sex trafficking in our state.

It's time we step up and get involved.

Until now, the Idaho Anti-Trafficking Coalition has primarily focused on outreach to victims. Now, they hope to extend their outreach to the community — with a focus on prevention.

How can you spot a victim? The coalition says signs include: Inconsistencies, social withdrawal, physical symptoms such as bruising, dress and malnutrition.

"Someone who doesn't really have access to their own identity, someone who doesn't have access to a bank account, money, there's a structure that I own you."

According to the coalition, the rural makeup of Idaho makes sex trafficking in our state distinctive. They say 75% of cases are familial, meaning people are selling their own children and family members for income.

"Idaho is unique," said Jennifer Ziegler, Director for the Idaho Anti-Trafficking Coalition. "We like to live in an environment where we just live and let live. We don't pay attention to what's happening in our backyard. But, there are other states that have been spearheading this for years. So, it's time we step up and get involved."

Ziegler hopes the workshop will create a momentum in Idaho that leads to change. She says more than anything she wants to see a change in current laws, to protect rather than criminalize victims and to remove the stigma against them.

Curiosity filled about 200 seats at the workshop with people eager to learn how our state can protect our children.

"It's just becoming more of a risk for our communities and our children. So we just need to be aware. It's really ugly, it's difficult to face but I think that's what we need to do," said Kristen Pudlow, who attended the workshop.

Tuesday's training wass the first of its kind in the Treasure Valley, but Ziegler says we can expect to see more events like this one to come.

Want to help? Program the phone number for the National Human Trafficking Resource Center into your cell phone, so when you spot the signs of sex trafficking you can call right away: 1.888.373.7888.

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