Mel is the Safe Harbor NE MN Regional Navigator for PAVSA (Program for Aid to Victims of Sexual Assault).
Our discussion was a great opportunity to gain a better understanding about what trafficking is and where it is happening or can happen – surprising and disturbing information. She opens our eyes to what a “typical” trafficker might look like or who they might be. Also, who is trafficked and why it might be hard for someone to get out of a trafficking situation.
We talk about media and the concerns that are perpetuated, and the staggering information about what isn’t covered and the misconception that leaves us with.
There are ways we can help if we feel called. Everything from volunteering to donating clothes, bags, purses, toiletries, etc. Anything one might need if they show up needing help with only the clothes on their back.
She shares some dos and don’ts if you think you see something that doesn’t feel right, as well as additional resources to get help or get involved.
Mel does outreach and trainings for the general public, businesses and industries in the seven county area around Duluth. If you think you might benefit by greater awareness please consider contacting her or the information below.
RESOURCES MENTIONED
- FOSTA, the Fight Online Sex Trafficking Act
- SESTA, the Stop Enabling Sex Traffickers Act
- Safe Harbor Law
- No Wrong Door model
DOCUMENTARIES
- Jane Doe (About Back Page)
- Very Young Girls (About GEMS in NYC)
PAPERS/STUDIES
Garden of truth the prostitution and trafficking of native women in MN
http://www.niwrc.org/sites/default/files/documents/Resources/Garden-of-Truth.pdf
Shattered hearts: The commercial of sexual exploitation of American Indian Women and girls in MN
https://digitalcommons.unl.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?referer=https://www.google.com/&httpsredir=1&article=1027&context=humtraffconf
Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls Report
(Link below downloads file – look in your computer’s download folder.)
https://wellnessrenpodcast.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/Missing-and-Murdered-Indigenous-Women-and-Girls-Report.pdf
Safe Harbor No Wrong Door Response for Sexually Exploited Youth
(Link below downloads file – look in your computer’s download folder.)
https://wellnessrenpodcast.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/SH-White-Paper-Final.pdf
APP Mentioned
Truckers against Trafficking
MORE CONNECTION FOR HELP OR SUPPORT
Connecting people to local advocacy centers
Polaris Project
https://polarisproject.org/
National Human trafficking hotline
888-373-7888
Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women USA
https://www.facebook.com/mmiwusa
MN Department of Health
https://www.health.state.mn.us/
CONTACT
PAVSA
Pavsa.org
Training in Duluth and 7 County area
Contact Mel
218-726-1442
Consider donations of clothing, bags, purses, toiletries for victims in need.
Crisis line
218-726-1931
ARTICLE MENTIONED BY JUDY
This Bill Is Killing Us: 9 Sex Workers On Their Lives In The Wake Of FOSTA
https://www.huffpost.com/entry/sex-workers-sesta-fosta_n_5ad0d7d0e4b0edca2cb964d9?guccounter=1&guce_referrer=aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuZ29vZ2xlLmNvbS8&guce_referrer_sig=AQAAAD-4WGgwckEMGGyDQaDsQ7O_ru2zTYv9EieGeSp97TqfIvOBnBYq713k8Oym5EN5q1YAh-QSkmeDvaWUU3pYy317UfDT7qgvj5iK87X2JU4Vr8Jjo9qr9jGHvskMIISqHimYAAsqkCAgdhhuBj2N32PGia-f-nLNqeq9EiGjvvV
Great conversation, thank you for not being afraid to talk about such an ugly subject. A BIG part of the problem is the fact that no one wants to talk about it. Knowledge is power.