After 14 months of information sharing a group of local public and private service providers will celebrate their effort to map the work of partner agencies in the fight against human trafficking and sexual exploitation. This month the group of over 50 providers with the help of two facilitators will begin to prepare an action plan for the Rock County First Responders.
According to one of the organizers, Sandy Kincaid of the Women’s Fund of the Stateline Community Foundation, this event marks the culmination of meetings started in September of 2015. “The purpose of these meetings was to create a coordinated community response team to address the variety of treatment needs for youth who have experienced sexual exploitation and trafficking, Kincaid said.
“Fighting sex trafficking is now a mandate in Wisconsin. This will help Rock County prepare as a team to provide services and treatments when called upon.”
Rock County District Attorney David O’Leary initiated the connection between the group of First Responders and facilitators from the Wisconsin Coalition Against Sexual Assault and End Domestic Abuse Wisconsin. Funded through the Wisconsin Department of Justice, these facilitators have been working with the group for nearly a year to map the service delivery system in Rock County.
Darlene Masters, facilitator, commented that “The Rock County First Responders has brought together a multi-disciplinary group of individuals and agencies that are dedicated to addressing the issue of human trafficking. Hours of hard work have already been invested, and this work will continue as an action plan is being developed to move the team forward. This action plan will not only help those who are being trafficked, but also include prevention efforts to end human trafficking.” “When you collaborate with a larger group of stakeholders, from local school districts to the FBI, you’re able to map the strengths, gaps and challenges of each agency. That helps us work together to better identify the opportunities available in Rock County and efficiently serve those at risk from human trafficking and sexual exploitation.” said Sara Schumacher, Community Action.
The facts are that human trafficking has occurred in every county of Wisconsin including both children and adults, male and female. Victims are coerced to act as laborers, sex workers and panhandlers. Victims include American citizens and undocumented persons. It is a problem right here at home.
