News Talk 94.1/AM 1600 Where The Upper Cumberland Talks
Rural populations such as the Upper Cumberland can be most vulnerable to human trafficking.
That according to Community Coalition Against Human Trafficking Director of Advocacy and Outreach, Natalie Ivey.
“When it happens in rural populations, it is most commonly familial trafficking. So I know, from being from the Upper Cumberland, we are a town that cares about our people, we care about our community,” Ivey said. “It is important that we understand that this could be potentially happening right under our noses. we need to be informed about it and ready to respond.”
Ivey spoke Friday on human trafficking during an event hosted by Upper Cumberland Council on Children and Youth.
Ivey said that conversations about prostitution and human trafficking often have stereotypes attached.
“We know now from studies being done that many if not most of all, close to 90 percent of individuals that we would otherwise would stereotype as a prostitute are actually victims,” Ivey said. “It is really important for us because people get interested in these topics and they want to help but they don’t understand what this is really looking like.”
Ivey said taking the shame out of the conversation can lead to better outcomes when talking about those who solicit sexual acts.
“They have been exposed to social pressure that normalizes it or maybe even encourages it, and so we need to be having conversations and from my perspective, proactively with young kids and with young men,” Ivey said. “And explain to them the consequences of the behavior and also just the big picture issue that is going on here.”
Ivey said anyone can help victims of human trafficking.
“Well first and foremost, being observant. So accepting that it is occurring, understanding the prevalence of it, but then reporting that information. So you can call the Tennessee Human trafficking Hotline Number.”
If you or someone you know is a victim of human trafficking, call the Tennessee Human Trafficking Hotline at 1-855-55-TNHTH.
