Bend organization At:Project to host awareness campaign for Human Trafficking Awareness Month

(Update: Matthew Draxton will highlight signs to look out for and training opportunities happening this month at Five on Newschannel 21)

January is Human Trafficking Awareness Month. At:project and partners are using this opportunity to remind the community that exploitation and human trafficking happen in our community, and there is local help! 

Through training, social media, and community events, at:project invites the Central Oregon community to learn the realities, dispel myths, gain the tools to identify potential victims and know how to respond. Understanding human trafficking and knowing how to find help will not only help keep loved ones safe, but also empower people to be effective advocates for the safety of all children and families in our community.  

At:project is funded by the Federal Office on Trafficking in Persons and Office of Victims of Crime. The at:project responds locally to calls to the National Human Trafficking Hotline and coordinates the Anti-Trafficking Alliance of Central Oregon Human Trafficking Task Force (ATACO) under the Oregon Department of Justice’s Trafficking Response and Intervention Program.

The Human Trafficking Task Force is the group charged with responding to human trafficking in the area, and includes representatives from local, state, and federal law enforcement, the District Attorney’s office, several Deschutes, Crook and Jefferson County agencies. A program of J Bar J Youth Services, at:project is the sole provider of comprehensive case management for human trafficking survivors in Central Oregon. During the last fiscal year, the at:project served 82 clients who were either suspected or confirmed victims or survivors of human trafficking. 

Matthew Draxton will have more on this on Newschannel 21 at Five.