What is human trafficking? Who is at risk and why? This presentation will include video testimony of three women from Iowa that were trafficked, along with a powerful dramatic video of the impact of “sexting” (sending pictures from phones) on youth in every school in Iowa. Topics covered include: the 5 most common methods to enslave women and children, the “face” of a trafficker and how they keep their victims submissive, where does a trafficker go to profile potential victims and why is this such a huge problem in the United States? Is it a problem in Iowa? What can we begin to do today to help make our communities a safer place for women and children? Instructor Lenchen Raeside will share information about a rescue Cedar Rapids Gives was involved in that involved a young girl from Cedar Rapids, Iowa.
Raeside has been working with women and families for over 30 years. She helped found House of Hope in Cedar Rapids where she served as Executive Director until 2011. In 2013, she and her husband Bob founded Cedar Rapids Gives. The mission of Cedar Rapids Gives is to assist in the work of rescue and restoration of those victimized by human sex trafficking, along with prevention education in the State of Iowa.
This presentation is offered to the public for no charge through NIACC’s Lifelong Learning Institute.