ROSCOMMON – Human Trafficking exists throughout the world, including here in Northern Michigan. It’s defined as the selling of human beings for either sex or labor by the use of force, fraud or coercion. It’s estimated that there are 10 to 40 million victims worldwide.
A group in Roscommon County was formed about five years ago, A21, with the mission of educating the community on trafficking. It was prompted in part when an enslaved woman was rescued in Roscommon County.
A21 attempts to reach the vulnerable and prevent human trafficking from ever happening in the firs place through a multi-dimensional approach: Reach, Rescue, and Restore.
On Oct. 16 the group will come together in the 7th Annual Walk for Freedom. This year the local chapter, Human Trafficking Group, will participated in a one-mile walk Oct. 16 at the River Center in Roscommon at 10 a.m. Local volunteers will walk together with abolitionists from across the world in an attempt to bring attention to the evils of slavery. In 2019, A21 had 500 walks in 50 countries around the world. Collectively, there were over 85 million people reached through social media.
“Each step matters. Each step makes a difference. The event is not a protest, but a silent single-file walk on behalf or the millions of men, women, and children who are trapped in slavery today,” said organizer Deb Williams.
For more information on human trafficking or to sign up for the free walk visit the A21 website, or call 989-387-2203.
