The problem of human trafficking is being brought to the forefront in Rogersville thanks to two events this past weekend at the City Park and another scheduled for Aug. 24, also at the park.
Friday afternoon, the Hawkins County Health Department hosted a Red Sand Project event at the park. About 20 people participated in pouring red sand into the cracks of the parking area of a pavilion to symbolize victims of human trafficking who fall between the cracks of getting help.
The Red Sand Project reports that 50 million people worldwide are being trafficked or live in modern slavery.
The project asks the public to join the movement by filling cracks in sidewalks and concrete with red sand and documenting their sidewalk transformation on social media using #RedSandProject.
On Saturday, an organization called Rise Up Hawkins County hosted an informational booth at Rogersville City Park in preparation for an Aug. 24 Community Walk for Awareness at the park to help end human trafficking.
Bill and Jennifer Boylan, supported by Crossroads Church, hosted an awareness day and offered factual information to the public about the plague of human trafficking in America and locally. They wish to offer the information to churches, organizations and businesses in Hawkins County as well as teach residents to be sensitive to signs of trafficking and how to prevent it from touching family members.
The Boylans showed documentation that human trafficking is now the No. 2 biggest illegal business in the United States behind the sale of illegal drugs.
Hawkins, Greene and Sullivan counties are considered “severe risk” counties for human trafficking because of their proximity to Interstates 26, 81 and 40, which are considered major pipelines in the transport of trafficked people.
The primary reasons people are abducted or kidnapped is the $150 billion a year illegal sale for labor or sex. Other reasons include to harvest organs and even ritual murder.
According to most recent statistics, of the 50 million people worldwide held in modern slavery, 12 million are children.
The Boylans stated they were grateful for the support of their church, but noted that human trafficking should never be associated with a denomination. Every community across America needs to be educated to the epidemic of trafficking, its causes and measures of prevention, they said.
Bill Boylan said he’s just doing his part. He said once people are educated to what is really going on, it’s hard to walk away from it. He said he’s available to come speak to local churches and community groups and bring materials to help educate his fellow county citizens about trafficking.
The next awareness activity will be the Community Walk for Awareness on Aug. 24. The public is encouraged to meet at the Rogersville City Park at 10 a.m. and walk to downtown Rogersville and back to raise awareness locally. A shorter route will be created for those who have trouble walking.
Call 423-500-0776 for more information about the Aug. 24 event or to request Bill Boylan to come speak.
(Rogersville Review Editor Jeff Bobo contributed to this report.)
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