Support for human trafficking survivors
DEVIN WEEKS | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 2 years, 7 months AGO
Devin Weeks is a third-generation North Idaho resident. She holds an associate degree in journalism from North Idaho College and a bachelor's in communication arts from Lewis-Clark State College Coeur d'Alene. Devin embarked on her journalism career at the Coeur d'Alene Press in 2013. She worked weekends for several years, covering a wide variety of events and issues throughout Kootenai County. Devin now mainly covers K-12 education and the city of Post Falls. She enjoys delivering daily chuckles through the Ghastly Groaner and loves highlighting local people in the Fast Five segment that runs in CoeurVoice. Devin lives in Post Falls with her husband and their three eccentric and very needy cats. | September 24, 2022 1:06 AM
Safe harbor.
It's a phrase used to describe a place where ships are protected from war and stormy seas.
As of July, Safe Harbor is also the name of a newly formed North Idaho nonprofit that is dedicated to providing resources for those who have experienced the horrors of human trafficking. Its mission is to provide secure housing options, intensive therapeutic services, acute and preventative medical assistance, reintegration resources and community awareness through education.
"Nobody else is doing it in North Idaho," said founder Angie Sedore. "There are no care systems in place and people are being hurt and have no way out."
Human trafficking is the unlawful act of forcing people into work or service, particularly in the form of labor or sexual exploitation. Many times they are taken against their will, away from their homes and the lives they know.
Resources exist in Spokane and Boise, but the lack of local resources has driven Sedore to create something to help victims and survivors in Kootenai County and the Idaho Panhandle. Her own experiences have also ignited a passion to help victims of human trafficking.
"I want to change the world and make a dent in the second-most profitable industry worldwide," she said. "I have had personal experiences in my life that were way too close to home and I will do everything in my power to ensure nobody else has to experience the trauma of trafficking."
The Boise-based Idaho Anti-Trafficking Coalition aided 115 people from Jan. 1 to June 30 of this year, according to its 2022 semi-annual data report. Of those, 41 self-identified as victims of sex trafficking. Services they received included emergency shelter or safe housing, transitional housing or relocation assistance. The Idaho Anti-Trafficking Coalition received 960 calls during the first six months of the year.
At 11 a.m. Oct. 1, Safe Harbor is hosting its inaugural Run Against Traffick fun run in Finucane Park, 550 E. Prairie Ave., Hayden. Registration is $30 and includes a run T-shirt. Proceeds will support Safe Harbor.
Visit https://form.jotform.com/222445218883056 to register.
Info: https://bit.ly/3BGayw3
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