Cartoon by Elizabeth Duncan
Alivia Welch
Managing Editor
Each year, there’s an estimated six to eight hundred thousand men, women and children trafficked across the world, with numbers soaring annually.
Maraya Lasinsky, chief advisor for the U.S. Department of Home Security, has labored with the Blue Campaign, a group that educates the public, law enforcement agencies and other affiliates, to notice the indicators of human trafficking and how to respond to possible cases.
Although one group of people are not directly affected, there are a number of vulnerabilities and factors that make individuals a bigger target.
In an interview with Campus Safety, Lasinsky said that victims who lack stability in housing, food and shelter makes them more susceptible to trafficking.
“If there is a lack of a social support network or strong family networks around them because we know traffickers are looking for hardships. They’re looking for your vulnerability, they’re looking to see what you need, and then they’re going to try to jump in and fill that need for you,” Lasinsky said.
While working to identify potential problems with the campaign, Lasinsky concluded that there was a need for training with campus law officials.
Through extensive research and interviews with campus safety officials, the “Human Trafficking Response Guide for Campus Law Enforcement and Public Safety Officials, was launched.
The guide is to help inform and educate campus law enforcement and public safety officials on indicators of human trafficking so that they can be better prepared to recognize potential victims at a college or university.
Colleges and universities are working with organizations to address and combat the widespread of human trafficking. JSU being one, held a student summit with speakers and activists with Mississippi Businesses Against Trafficking (MBAT) and the Secretary of State’s office that provided vital information.
During the MBAT event at JSU, there were speakers, a parent of a victim and activists present that talked with students about tactics and strategies that human traffickers use to prey on potential victims.
In recent news, leaders and personnel at JSU were approved for a federal transportation alternative program.
This $659,000 federal program will add more sidewalks and lighting near the campus and surrounding areas.
The announcement was made by Acting President Elayne Hayes-Anthony and Willie Simmons, Central Transportation District Commissioner.
“It’s going to move the traffic, but it’s also going to create the ability for the students in the community to be able to walk and be safe. In addition to that, we’re going to have lights all the way from the beginning of the project down to the end of the project. That’s going to really give us the ability to provide safety,” said Simmons.
Officials with Disability Rights Mississippi (DRMS) also stated that individuals with disabilities are being kept in mind and that they will have access to these resources.
Access and safety for all people, including those who may use a wheelchair, have a visual impairment, or other disabilities, is of the utmost importance when improving our communities said DRMS officials.
I’m excited to hear that individuals with different disabilities will benefit from the advancements because of my mobility disability.
Besides the JSU Safe App and buddying with peers, the sidewalks and extra lighting will help me to be more comfortable while I’m on campus.
The JSU Safe App gives students 24-hour access to campus police if students are needing extra security to and from different buildings while they’re on campus as well as resources for their concerns and safety.
Although I have never had to use the Safe App for those things, I find sovereignty with knowing it’s available.
I urge all my fellow students and anyone reading this to stay aware of your surroundings at all times. Traffickers often prey on those who are not consciously remaining aware of what is going on around them.
Human trafficking must stop and it will take everyone concerned about this issue to stop it!
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