by John Reid

Today, 50 million people worldwide are being trafficked or are living in modern slavery. More than 57% of women who are trafficked are Black. Recently, a large trafficking ring was discovered during the annual ComicCon in San Diego.

On July 30, which is known as World Day Against Trafficking in Persons, the Red Sands Project observed a global campaign to raise awareness and prevention methods. In Dumfries, Mayor Wood, Delegate Candi King, and several members of the community came together to discuss strategies for combating this crime in their area. Joining them were Dumfries police officers, ACTS Sexual Assault Services, representatives from the Rose gaming Resort, the Newport News Commissioner of the Revenue, and the Office of Community Safety.

Wood talked about the importance of addressing trafficking. “It is an individual commitment to recognize it and address this plight of trafficking and its victims,” he told the audience. “It’s going to encourage us to have some meaningful conversations about how we can take action to prevent trafficking and support its victims.

On July 1, Virginia became the first Southern state to outlaw child marriage, establishing a minimum age of 18 without exceptions. King, who worked on legislation to protect victims of prostitution and punish perpetrators shortly after becoming elected to office, said that fighting trafficking must be done on all levels. “The nameless, faceless, often children who are being forced into a life not of their choosing,” she said. “Often, we see the stories and look the other way. But we cannot wait until it hits our doorstep to fight this issue.”

One question which was brought up when Dumfries Police Officer Campbell shared her story of helping a trafficking victim was the possibility of deportation. “I assure them their legal status does not matter when they are a victim of a crime. They’re concerned about being deported and sent back to their country. They’re in our country, and they’re victims, and we’re going to help them as we would anyone else.”

Joining them were two U.S. Marshalls who have worked on several trafficking cases, including the infamous Bannister case in Stafford. They provided tips on how people can detect potential trafficking victims and how to report activities.

Prince William County Office of Community Safety Director Wesley Dawson, who has been hosting community meetings in the area, gave a clarion call for a united front to fight trafficking. “We can’t have community safety without having the community at the table.”

Afterwards, Newport News Commissioner of the Revenue Tiffany Boyle gave instructions on pouring the red sand into the sidewalk cracks.

For more information on the Red Sands project, please visit their website.

(All photo credits: ACGP Photography. Visit them at acgp.org)