Followup to story in our October 2015 print issue  

The worldwide issue of human trafficking is one of monumental proportions, worsening, and more real than ever before. Despite its serious and damaging effects on victims and society, many people, especially youth at the greatest risk for trafficking, are in the dark regarding knowledge of human trafficking.

  “My organization [Restore the Light] is working on preventing and educating others about trafficking. Human trafficking is so unknown and unspoken about and we operate under the philosophy you cannot fight what you do not know exists. So we are making people aware,” assistant principal at Blue Springs Freshman Center  and not-for-profit leader Dr. Danica Fuimaono said.

   Students are taking steps towards the demise of sex trafficking in Kansas City through their commitment to extending awareness of the issue and raising funds for victims.  

  “My church is involved in Run To Stop It which is a nationwide campaign for the awareness and end to sex trafficking. We run in the Kansas City Marathon, raise money, and wear a bright neon shirt that says “Run To Stop It”. We have raised $80,000 so far and it goes towards helping victims of sex trafficking in Kansas City build new lives and have access to counseling, housing, and food,” junior Chandler Baxter said.

  Although it may not be possible for high school students to directly interfere with the efforts of human traffickers, younger generations can use their technological gifts to end human trafficking through awareness.

  “I think in this day and age you’re not going to go out and stop a human trafficker by yourself, but especially with social media the best way to stop it is to get attention out about it. Social movements happen all the time when people see something they don’t like in the world and they get a lot of people to talk about it and the more people they get to talk about it the more people who have an opportunity to do something about it. Before a person can do something to change it you have to know what the problem is, so I think awareness is where we can help,” junior Mac Newton said.

  Involvement is a huge in spreading the message of the dangers and reality of human trafficking.

  “We are in the process of preparing for a kick off campaign for 2016 right now. We will definitely need volunteers. For more information visit restorethelight.org,” Fuimaono said.

Need help? Want to help?

United States: 1 (888) 373-7888   www.traffickingresourcecenter.org
National Human Trafficking Resource Center
SMS: 233733 (Text “HELP” or “INFO”)
Hours: 24 hours, 7 days a week
Languages: English, Spanish