A visit from Selah Freedom’s Teen Prevention Program
Source/Author: Brenna Dukes '21
May 03, 2018
In eighth grade, every student was required to do a Passion Project. I chose to do mine last year on raising awareness of human trafficking. I knew human trafficking happened in the United States, but I didn’t realize it was as prevalent as it is.
I worked with a local organization called Selah Freedom, the nation's leading anti-sex trafficking organization, to learn more. When I presented my project many of the students and adults in attendance were not aware that human trafficking happens in our community. Florida is in the top three states in the nation for sex trafficking.
This past week Shorecrest alumni parent, Elise Free, and Selah Freedom’s Teen Prevention Program leader, Chloe Vega, came to speak to Shorecrest students. The event was organized by Upper School’s Issues to Action club, of which I am a member. Club members and GSI students attended. Chloe and Elise spoke about how common trafficking really is, especially for teenage runaways, and the risks of interacting with strangers online. Chloe told her story about being a victim of the sex trade from a young age, and then answered students’ questions.
My work with Selah Freedom inspired me to continue the fight to end human trafficking. Over 300,000 American children are sold for sex each year. The typical age of trafficking victims is 15. This is an issue that primarily affects teens however many of them are not aware of it. It is important for people, especially teens, to be educated about this important issue.
