Category: Sexual Violence

By Kristie Sickel
Program Supervisor/Child Forensic Interviewer
Willow Tree Cornerstone Child Advocacy Center

 

In times of instability and stress it is not uncommon for rates of child abuse to increase. The COVID-19 pandemic is undoubtedly one of those times. We know that some children are not safer at home. But while the rate of child abuse is likely going up, reports of child abuse have gone down.

Children are no longer in the places where adults had previously looked out for their safety and well-being. This includes schools, childcare facilities, after-school programs, and other public places. In many cases, children are even isolated from their extended family members. This lack of interaction means children have fewer people watching over them and fewer opportunities to tell if someone is hurting them.

It is important to remember during this time that we all have a responsibility to protect children. If you know a family that is under extreme stress, you can help by doing small things to ease some of the burden they are feeling. Small acts of support in the form of food, toilet paper, children’s activities or an empathetic ear can make a world of difference to ease their stress.

If you have a concern or if something does not feel or look right, make a report to your local child welfare agency. Making a report is asking for help and services from a professional who can further assess the situation. Remember to trust your gut and never assume that someone else will make the call for help.

For more information about abuse or to make a report your area, please visit https://dcf.wisconsin.gov/reportabuse.

 

 

By Katie Gazella
Open Door Youth Services

One of the most common myths about human trafficking is that traffickers are literally kidnapping people off the street. While that scenario does sometimes happen, it is much more rare than people have been led to believe. The truth is, most human traffickers are luring in their victims in a way that is much more subtle. 

Human traffickers are always on the lookout for their next victim. The internet and social media bring that search right to their fingertips. Traffickers can now reach out to vulnerable children, teens, and adults on any application that allows for direct messaging. This includes apps like Tik Tok, Instagram, Facebook, Pinterest, SnapChat, Twitter, Roblox and Fortnite.

Without the proper privacy protections, traffickers can see what a child has posted online. Those posts may reveal to a trafficker the child’s vulnerabilities, where they like to hang out, and what their interests are. A survivor of human trafficking in Wisconsin once shared with me that her trafficker was someone who responded to the online ad she had posted about re-homing her pitbull. The trafficker sent her a direct message talking about his love of pitbulls. The message was something she could easily relate to. The chat was friendly, not threatening. This is how their friendship started.

Once the online friendship is started, traffickers look for ways to get closer to their victims. They might form a dating relationship, ask for favors, or test the victim’s boundaries. Most human trafficking survivors report that they knew their traffickers before anything bad happened. For most, the relationship started out very innocently. 

The dangers of human trafficking that exist online are real. That’s why it’s so important for everyone, especially parents and kids, to pay attention to their social media accounts and privacy settings. 

Here’s what you and your family can do today to stay safe from human traffickers online: 

•         Always have your privacy settings at the strictest possible setting.
•         Always have the location setting turned off.
•         Never post your location or check in at specific locations.
•         Only have contacts that you actually know in real life.
•         Periodically check your privacy settings. Updates may cause your settings to revert back.

To learn more about online safety and how children and teens can stay protected online, check out the Protect Kids Online Podcast by the Wisconsin Department of Justice.

 

 

 

By Erika Ritchie
Staff Writer

Across Wisconsin an unknown number of children, teens and adults are being sex trafficked because of manipulation, fraud, or force. It’s a problem that is hard to track and often harder to see.

According to the National Human Trafficking Hotline, there were at least 105 cases of sex trafficking reported in Wisconsin in 2018. Over the past three years, the Sexual Assault Center of Family Services has helped more than 60 sex trafficking survivors who were being trafficked to or from Northeast Wisconsin.

January is Human Trafficking Awareness Month. Below are 5 ways you can get involved, show your support for survivors, and educate others:

1. Color for a Cause

Add a pop of blue to your hair to spread awareness of human trafficking wherever you go! Throughout January, you can get a blue hair extension for $15 from any one of the salons below. Proceeds will be donated to the Sexual Assault Center, allowing you to make a real difference for sex trafficking survivors in addition to spreading awareness! Please call ahead to make an appointment.

-Mint Salon, Green Bay
-141 Clips-n-Styles, Oconto Falls
-A Cut Above, Coleman

 

2. Wear Blue

January 11th is National Human Trafficking Awareness Day. You can help raise awareness of human trafficking by taking photos of yourself, your friends, your family, or your colleagues on January 11th wearing blue clothing. Be sure to share your photos on social media with the #WearBlueDay hashtag. Anyone can participate, all you need is a piece of blue clothing! 

 

3. Shine a Light

Join with advocates, organizations, and fellow community members for a candelight vigil the evening of January 11th in recognition of Human Trafficking Awareness Day. Hear from a survivor of human trafficking, get a blue hair extension (if you haven’t already!) and ask questions to a panel of local experts who work to combat human trafficking in our area. The event will be held from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at Resurrection Parish in Green Bay.

For full event details, click here.

 

4. Spread the Word

One of the easiest ways to help us spread awareness of human trafficking is by following us on Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter and inviting your friends to do the same! Help our messages reach even more people by liking, sharing, and commenting on our posts, photos, and videos. If you get a blue hair extension, participate in Wear Blue Day, or attend the candelight vigil, be sure to share your photos with us using the  hashtags #humantraffickingawareness, #wearbluecampaign, and #protecthealcare.

 

5. Volunteer

You can help fight sex trafficking year round as a volunteer advocate with the Sexual Assault Center in Brown or Door Counties. As a volunteer, you’ll help maintain coverage of our 24/7 hotline. You’ll also help victims of sexual assault and sex trafficking feel supported and believed during what is often a confusing and traumatic time in the person’s life. Volunteers set their own schedule and are asked to cover three shifts per month. No experience necessary and training is provided.

To learn more or apply to volunteer, click here!