Human Trafficking in the Mat-Su: Is it a Myth or Pandemic?
Come to our meeting and be a part of the solution!
Contributed by Staci Yates, My House, Director of Human Trafficking Recovery Services & ASHTA Coordinator
ASHTA – Alaska Stop Human Trafficking Alliance Community Meeting
10/28/2020 - 5:30pm-6:30pm
MY House
Band of Brothers
2050 N. Merciful Circle, Wasilla
FREE Event
Human trafficking… Is it a problem in the Mat-Su Valley, Anchorage, Fairbanks or surrounding villages? You betcha! Ever wonder why you never “see it”? Well, ASHTA (Alaska Stop Human Trafficking Alliance) is here to join arms with you to help fight this hideous silent crime against our youth in our communities.
Human trafficking involves the use of force, fraud or coercion to obtain some type of labor or commercial sex act. Every year, millions of men, women and children are trafficked worldwide – including right here in Alaska. It can happen in any community and victims can be any age, race, gender or nationality. Traffickers might use violence, manipulation or false promises of well-paying jobs or romantic relationships to lure victims into trafficking situations.
The FBI UCR statistics say in 2019 the FBI uniform crime report indicate Alaska’s rate of sexual assault is nearly 4 times the national average. Alaska has 161.6 sexual assaults per 100,00 residents, compared to 42.6 nationally.
· Child sexual assault is nearly 6 times the national average.
· 59% of women in Alaska have experienced violence
· Broken down into some of the smaller villages that number climbs into the 80 and 90 percentages!
You may say, “Well what can I do? I am just a mom, a grandparent, a student, a retiree.”
PLEASE come join us for an hour as we address the issue of sex trafficking in our area. We can teach you how to identify victims and how to report suspected cases of human trafficking. There are many ways to get involved and we will go over those at the meeting.
We will have Lt. Joseph Gamache from Alaska AWARE briefly speak on the prevalence of human and sex trafficking in Alaska. Lt. Gamache does statewide human trafficking awareness training.
It is going to take a community working together, alongside our law enforcement to help eradicate human trafficking and set the voiceless free. Come be a part of the solution. We look forward to seeing you there.
Contact info:
Staci Yates
My House Director of Human Trafficking Recovery Services & ASHTA Coordinator
notrafficking@myhousematsu.org
907-631-2522