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WWW.UPANDCOMINGWEEKLY.COM 16 UCW JANUARY 18 - 24, 2023 EVENTS Community encouraged to participate in 5k run, information forums to raise awareness of human trafficking by ASHLEY SHIRLEY January is a time of rebirth, conviction-driven resolutions, and a do-over for last year's missteps and disappointments. It's a time when people can look toward the future and aspire to become better than they were. For all the joys of a clean slate, January can also be a month of harsh realities, short days, and a reminder of the ugliness that lurks at the edge of our everyday lives. In addition to the federally recog- nized Martin Luther King Jr. holiday, January is also National Slavery and Human Trafficking Prevention Month. In partnership with W.O.R.T.H. Court (We Overcome Recidivism rough Healing), Fayetteville Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma eta Sorority, and Methodist University Social Work Depart- ment, the Child Advocacy Center of Fayetteville has put together several initiatives during the month of Janu- ary to bring awareness to a crime that destroys the lives of thousands each year. Research conducted by the American Civil Liberties Union suggests that between 15,000 and 18,000 people are trafficked yearly. Exact numbers are difficult to nail down due to the far-reaching and fast-paced nature of the crime. Still, according to the U.S. Department of State, there are approximately 24.9 million victims of human trafficking worldwide at any given time. Human trafficking — whose victims can be any age, gender or race — is recognized as the use of force, fraud or coercion to obtain or exploit individuals for labor or com- mercial sex acts. ough the epidemic is world- wide, the potential for human trafficking exists everywhere. From the bustling city scapes of New York down to rural Appalachia — there's no such thing as a safe space. Because of its proximity to I-95 and easy access to major cities like Atlanta, Charlotte and Raleigh, North Carolina ranks among the top 15 states in the nation for human trafficking. Due to these alarming numbers, CAC has made it a priority this Janu- ary to not only inform the public about the very real dangers of hu- man trafficking, but to arm them with the tools to prevent it as well. One initiative intended to bring the community into a larger con- versation about human trafficking is the inaugural "Be eir Voice 5k Run" on Saturday, Jan. 28 at Meth- odist University. Race-day registra- tion begins at 8 a.m.; the race will officially start at 9. Fayetteville Running Club, a local nonprofit organization, is assist- ing the CAC with this special race meant to honor victims and bring awareness to this growing issue. e race is $25 to participate, and the money raised will be split between the CAC and W.O.R.T.H. — North Carolina's only human traf- ficking court. "We're proud we can use our love of running to help and serve our community. We've been a part of this town for almost 15 years and cherish opportunities like 'Be eir Voice 5k' to give back," FRC Presi- dent Shaun Wussow shared via a press release for the event. Vagabond coffee will be on-site to warm up spectators with hot drinks and bottled water for sale. For sweet or savory breakfast options, local favorite Fayetteville Pie Company will have some of their delicious wares for purchase as well. In honor of the mission, both businesses will donate a portion of the day's sales to CAC. Founded in 1993, CAC, a non- profit organization, was instituted to create a safe space for children to share their stories of abuse with a panel of professionals specially trained to meet their unique needs. Partnering with over 19 different agencies, the CAC strives to "allevi- ate the trauma children experience once a disclosure of sexual abuse or serious physical abuse occurs by creating a community of collaborat- ing advocates." According to their website, the CAC's mission is to collaborate with community partners to re- spond to and prevent child abuse. As children make up an estimated 27% of all human trafficking vic- tims worldwide, the CAC feels it is particularly important to support all efforts to bring awareness to the danger modern-day slavery poses to an already vulnerable population. "We want the community to have some hands-on tools to recognize the signs of human trafficking," said Faith Boehmer, the CAC's Preven- tion and Volunteer Coordinator. "It does happen here. It happens in the small rural communities — it happens everywhere," she said. In addition to this month's 5k, the CAC has put together a commend- able list of activities to aid in its information dissemination efforts. •Jan. 11 was National Human Trafficking Awareness Day, and many local community members and businesses encouraged others to wear blue in solidarity with the victims of human trafficking. •On Jan. 19, the CAC will host a human trafficking forum featuring a panel of experts at the Kiwanis Rec Center at 6:30 p.m. Speakers include the honorable Judge Tony King of W.O.R.T.H. court, Beverly Weeks (Cry Freedom Missions, C.E.O.), Sarah Hallick (Communicare), Sgt. Nicole Mincey (Cumberland County P.D.) and Nancy Hagan (N.C. Hu- man Trafficking Commission). •Wednesday, Jan. 25, there will be an information session at John D. Fuller Rec Center at 6 p.m. •Tuesday, Jan. 31, the W.O.R.T.H. Court Team will present "Day of Hope: Human Trafficking" at Cumberland Hall on the Fayetteville Technical Community College cam- pus from 1 to 2:30 p.m. e sheer number of scheduled activities for this month's campaign clearly indicates its urgency. As the number of victims continues to rise locally and abroad, the need for action is long overdue, and the role of "passive citizen" is no longer enough. Awareness and action are at the heart of this initiative. While they alone can't make this problem dis- appear — it's a great place to start — a message CAC hopes to make clear. "Ultimately, we want for the people that attend to walk away with an awareness, education and confidence that allows them to rec- ognize that they can do something," Boehmer shared. "We want them to take that information to their churches, schools and social groups and help others become aware of the signs at grocery stores, hotels or restaurants. We hope they take advantage of that education and call or text the number to get help." If you suspect someone is a victim of human trafficking, call the Na- tional Human Trafficking Hotline at 1-888-373-7888. To register for the "Be eir Voice 5k Run" visit https://www.cacfaync. org/. For more information about the Child Advocacy Center, visit https://www.cacfaync.org/. ASHLEY SHIRLEY, Staff Writer. COMMENTS? Editor@upandcomin- gweekly.com. 910-484-6200