Our speaker today was our own Nils Friberg, presenting on Human Trafficking. Nils and Jed Hamoud have partnered to keep this topic on the minds of NBMV Rotarians. Nils has been attending meetings of the Minnesota Task Force on Human Trafficking to stay current with human trafficking issues. Minnesota’s Safe Harbor Act requires that those who have been sexually exploited are treated as victims, not criminals. Federal laws (TVPA) are also in place to address trafficking. These laws are helping to curb the growth of sex trafficking but there are still 4.5 million victims of sex trafficking each year. Not all human trafficking is sexual, however. Labor trafficking has 36 million victims each year.
Nils said that pornography has a strong connection to sex trafficking. He said that porn sets the moral, emotional and spiritual stage for objectification and abuse of women.
Nils applauded the efforts of the Terebinthe Refuge, a women’s shelter in Waite Park, MN for care and recovery of women who have been sexually trafficked. Terebinthe was featured in the recent Anti-Human Trafficking Webinar we co-sponsored with Arden Hills-Shoreview Rotary.
Indicators of Human Trafficking include, but are not limited to:
- Does the person appear disconnected from family, friends, community organizations, or houses of worship?
- Has a child stopped attending school?
- Has the person had a sudden or dramatic change in behavior?
- Is a juvenile engaged in commercial sex acts?
- Is the person disoriented or confused, or showing signs of mental or physical abuse?
- Does the person have bruises in various stages of healing?
- Is the person fearful, timid, or submissive?
- Does the person show signs of having been denied food, water, sleep, or medical care?
- Is the person often in the company of someone to whom he or she defers? Or someone who seems to be in control of the situation, e.g., where they go or who they talk to?
- Does the person appear to be coached on what to say?
- Is the person living in unsuitable conditions?
- Does the person lack personal possessions and appear not to have a stable living situation?
- Does the person have freedom of movement? Can the person freely leave where they live? Are there unreasonable security measures?
The talking points for Nils’ presentation can be downloaded here. Nils is pictured with Charlie Longbella below.
Happy Buck Highlights:
- Jason Miller’s son Gavin turned 16.
- Dana Rebelein’s son turned 50.
- Edeth James’ daughter starts medical school soon.
Edeth asked me to include his wedding invitation in the newsletter. Here is the hotel booking link: https://www.hilton.com/en/
You have until 10-1-2021 to lock in the rate. Road trip, anyone?
You have until 10-1-2021 to lock in the rate. Road trip, anyone?
Don’t forget that our Stockyard Days Parade Hot Dog Feed preparation begins on SATURDAY August 14th at 9AM. Stay tuned for the new location.