Human beings are trafficked in Nebraska, bought and sold, treated as property. Newly released research from Creighton University found that over 900 individuals are bought and sold in Nebraska each month.
The Freedom Drivers Project, a first-of-its-kind mobile exhibit to educate members of the trucking industry and general public about the realities of domestic sex trafficking, is coming to Broken Bow.
Deb McCaslin with the Broken Bow Area Rotary Club says it was a long time in the making, “It’s taken us about two years to get this organization here because they’re just frankly booked up all the time. We’re just not very close to the major cities that they usually set up shop in. So we were just very honored to bring them in.”
Sunday August 27 through Tuesday August 29, the public is invited to not only walk through the trailer, but to also chat with the Truckers Against Trafficking staff, attend a panel and Q&A session, and attend one of many presentations offered.
The interactive exhibit is being brought to Custer County through grants provided by the Custer County Foundation, Jennie M. Melham Memorial Medical Center, the city of Broken Bow, and Broken Bow area Rotary. It will be parked on the north side of the Municipal Building.
The exhibit will be open Sunday from noon until 8 pm and Monday from 8 am to 8 pm. Tuesday is tabbed as a student education opportunity with the exhibit open from 8 am to 8 pm again.
“It takes, I understand, about 20 minutes to tour the truck itself. So, we’re not asking for a lot of time out of people’s days. So if you decide to go take a coffee break while it’s here, just head on over”, said McCaslin.
Also on Sunday, Hot Meals USA will have lunch and dinner available for a free will offering. A panel discussion will take place starting at 2 pm to be followed by a Q&A at 3 pm. Those on the panel will include Angie Swanson (Rotary District 5630 Anti Trafficking-RAGAS-chair), Brandy Belton (Truckers Against Trafficking Trainer), NSP Lieutenant Tim Arnold, and NSP Trooper Tim Flick. Brandy Belton will have a presentation at 6 pm to round out Sunday, speaking on knowing the signs of trafficking and knowing what to do and not to do if you suspect it.
Monday at 9 am, a certified awareness training will be provided by Truckers Against Trafficking. At 10 am and 4 pm, the Fox Theater will host industry specific trainings for those in service industry, ministerial association, government, and city employee positions.
Youth specific training will be provided at 11 am and 2 pm as well as school tours. From noon until 2pm, the Broken Bow Chamber invites the public to bring their lunch to a “Lunch & Learn” presentation.
An internet safety presentation from Custer County Sheriff Dan Osmond will wrap up the day with a 5pm business after hours.
The mobile exhibit, speakers, and training might be the first glimpse many get into human trafficking. The hope is that those who attend can take away the knowledge we can all use to put an end to trafficking.
Credit: Source link
