Circle K Ranch will host its premiere “Not On Our Watch!” anti-trafficking event in collaboration with Texas-based Beyond Trafficking on Saturday, Aug. 24 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
“Since starting to market this a little bit, we’ve been contacted about several different (trafficking) events that have occurred within the area. We know things are happening,” said Stephanie Andrade-Rocha, the founder of Beyond Trafficking.
The goal is to educate and raise awareness, so people know how to recognize and ideally prevent trafficking altogether.
They’d also like to create some kind of task force to continue anti-trafficking work in this area, as there’s no such group here.
“Many people have seen Taken or The Sound of Freedom, and listen, I work internationally. That’s exactly what it looks like in some of these other places we work in. But that’s not what it looks like in America,” said Andrade-Rocha.
“What it looks like is children on their phone being coerced and groomed and falling prey to being trafficked.”
The average entry age for a human trafficking survivor is 11 to 13 years of age.
Parents need to monitor what their kids do online, because it can start on any app: Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, Omega. The list goes on, Andrade-Rocha said.
“It’s more about having eyes on your children,” Andrade-Rocha said.
Something simple parents can do is have the same phone as their child, so they know how to easily operate it and find things. An app called bark is also great for monitoring, Andrade-Rocha said.
Four anti-human trafficking experts will speak on Saturday, including Andrade-Rocha, to bolster education and give parents tools they need to keep their kids safe in a digital age.
“It’s bringing in several groups to connect with the local law enforcement, local parents, local schools to try and get us all on the same page,” said Candy Claunch, the event coordinator at Circle K Ranch. “It’s all to help keep our kids safe.”
It’s a free event for anyone in the community to attend. Though it’s centered on kids, it’s not just kids impacted by trafficking.
“We’re seeing a lot of this with, say, singles that are looking to date online, things like that,” Claunch said.
Andrade-Rocha said when you have an area that’s high for tourism, it’s high for trafficking, too. She highlighted Durango as one of those places. But as tourism in Cortez and the area in general grows, it’s something to be aware of.
“People are looking for the white van that’s going to steal your child. And listen, that does happen, but it’s very rare,” said Andrade-Rocha.
In America, trafficking typically starts online, and familial trafficking – exploiting a child within one’s own family – is most common.
“We really need people to show up and just get involved. We’re hoping to get a local group together of anyone who feels drawn to this cause to be the backbone … and help keep the communication open between Beyond Trafficking and local law enforcement and schools,” said Claunch.
“If anyone feels drawn to be on the committee, we’d love to speak with them.”
On Saturday, there will also be a live painter, Vanessa Horabuena, who will paint and auction off her painting to support the cause.
“If you’ve never seen her, that alone is worth coming to the event. She’s absolutely breathtaking to watch, it’s just amazing,” Claunch said.
The event this weekend, again, is free and includes a lunch. For head count purposes, email events@ckranch.com to let them know if you’re coming.
