There is something new that makes Topeka great. We are the first city in the country to declare war on human trafficking. I've read articles featured in the Topeka Capital Journal, on the subject, for quite a few years. I know that Rev. Barry Feaker, Executive Director of the Topeka Rescue Mission, has been helping the victims with their recovery.
Here’s an excerpt from Today's headline article:
“Our nation needs a win against modern-day slavery and Kansas has a rich history of not compromising on this issue,” Feaker said in the release.
The release said a Freedom Now Coalition will be formed for Topeka and Shawnee County, which will create solutions to end human trafficking by identifying the unique challenges and concerns the community faces. The coalition will work to address human trafficking on the local level while coordinating with state and national Freedom Now initiatives.
With I-70 running through Topeka, we get a lot of truck traffic. Last year, there were several people convicted in Federal and Shawnee County Courts for human trafficking. Most people don't realize how pervasive it is. The National Human Trafficking Resource Center says there have been 949 human trafficking calls since 2007 in Kansas with 126 calls in 2015. You may want to read Jane's story.
What to watch out for
There are important signs to human trafficking. Kansas Attorney General Derek Schmidt's Office has as list of questions you may need to answer if you see signs of human trafficking:
- Are people living with their employer?
- Are there bruises or signs of physical abuse?
- Do minors have a girlfriend or boyfriend who is noticeably older?
If you or someone you know is being forced to engage in any activity and cannot leave, call the toll-free National Human Trafficking Resource Center Hotline at 1-888-3737-888 or text INFO or HELP to BeFree (233733) to access help and services.