CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. (CLARKSVILLENOW) – The trafficking of human beings is never an easy topic to discuss, but the public needs to be made aware of how serious of a problem it is.
That is what many organizations are doing in the month of January- National Human Trafficking Awareness Month. Christie Huschke is the Clarksville Community Group Leader for End Slavery Tennessee.
“There are over 40 million people worldwide who are currently enslaved in some type of situation,” Huschke said. “We just like to get information out there and awareness to the public that this stuff is happening and get people involved and do what we can to get these numbers down and to get this to stop.”
Figures from End Slavery Tennessee indicate that in the state, 94-110 minors are trafficked every month with the average age of a victim entering sex trafficking being 13-years-old.
Approximately 76 percent of transactions for sex with a minor start on the internet.
On Sunday, January 12 at 1 p.m., End Slavery Tennessee will host a Human Trafficking 101 Lecture which is open to the public. The event will be held at the Clarksville-Montgomery County Public Library and will feature information on human trafficking, as well as ways to get involved and support End Slavery Tennessee.
The organization will be holding a fundraising event, the No Show Ball, with a Valentine’s Day theme, on Saturday, February 15. For $100 you’ll receive a fine-dining meal for two, a bottle of wine, and a special gift, that will be delivered to your door.
Huschke said all proceeds from the No Show Ball will benefit survivors of human trafficking.
To find out more about End Slavery Tennessee go to endslaverytn.org or email Christie Huschke at clarksvillegroup@endslaverytn.org