Human Trafficking Symposium, June 21

The Junction City Police Department in conjunction with Junction City Soroptimist’s, and the National Women’s Collation Against Violence & Exploitation (NWCAVE) are hosting the second annual Human Trafficking Symposium Saturday, June 23rd, 2018 from 10 am to 2 pm. This free event will be held at the First Baptist Church of Junction City, located at 28957 W 18th Ave, Junction City, OR 97448. Human trafficking is real; it affects you; and yes, it does happen everywhere including Junction City, Monroe, Harrisburg, and the surrounding areas! This crime occurs when a person uses force, fraud, or coercion to control another person for the purpose of engaging in commercial sex acts or soliciting labor or services against his/her will. Unfortunately, Oregon is one of the nation’s leading states in the commission of this horrific crime; and, it begins to occur to children in the homes of everyday citizens at an alarming rate. Awareness and proactive communication between all adults in the community and children is the only way this issue can be addressed. Please join our master of ceremonies, and local news celebrity, Jackie Garrity of KVAL, for this information-packed session that will empower you to learn information and ways to protect the children in your lives and around our communities. Primary organizer and Junction City Police Chief Bob Morris, will be joined by representatives of the NWCAVE, the FBI, and State Senator James Manning. Together these individuals will impart a diverse cadre of information that will help clarify, and put perspective, the problem that faces each and every citizen. Also, Jerry Kearney, a former 20-year police officer will explain how the unthinkable combination of meth, human trafficking, and childhood prostitution would invade his family and life. Because of the impact these travesties had on him and his loved ones, he will share his painful experiences in the hope he can prevent these crimes from impacting other families. The symposium will wrap-up with closing remarks from Soroptimist’s International of the America’s President, Dawn Marie Lemonds. In addition to the formal presentations, a number of local and regional resource organizations will be present and available to provide information about their services and to answer questions about how you can make a difference. Questions regarding this event can be directed to Junction City Police Chief Bob Morris via email at: bmorris@ci.junction-city.or.us