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Human trafficking topic for Kiwanis P.M.

CONTRIBUTED PHOTO Shannon Schott and Laura McIntosh, both were representing ‘Teens Against Human Trafficking’ presented the program on Wednesday to the Kiwanis P.M. Club.

The regular meeting of the Kiwanis P.M. was held on Wednesday at O’Hungry’s. President Kenny Lamb called the meeting to order at 7 p.m. with the Pledge of Allegiance and a moment of silence. Ann Kent welcomed guest Peggy Lamb and speakers Shannon Schott and Laura McIntosh.

As citizens of Marshalltown we find ourselves thinking we are safe from “big city” issues like Human Trafficking, Schott and McIntosh came to inform us that we are indeed not immune to this horrible problem. It has become the second most profitable crime committed in the US. Criminals have discovered that unlike guns, or drugs people can be sold over and over making them worth more. Schott represents Teens Against Human Trafficking her passion is to reach as many teens from 11-18 and make them aware of this crime and how they get tricked into falling into the trap.

The two most common forms of trafficking are for labor, where they become modern day slaves in factories, hotels, restaurants and domestic services and sex, including prostitution, the creation of pornography and exotic dancing. Young people, often dealing with hardships at home are coerced into a “better situation” with the promise of money and a better life. Sometimes they are sold by someone they know and trust, family member, friend, neighbor to help meet end of the month bills or to ‘help someone.’ Once they have been sold they are threatened with exposure or threats to family members to keep them trapped. We may want to believe that this only happens to runaways or foster children, but in fact any teen can be vulnerable and needs to be made aware of the ways these people manipulate them.

McIntosh is part of a local interfaith volunteer group, L.A.S.T. (Labor and Sex Trafficking) Watch that aims to raise awareness about trafficking in Marshalltown. The Marshalltown Police Department is trained to recognize and deal with these situations so if you see something suspicious (teens appearing to be malnourished, shows signs of abuse, is not allowed to speak for themselves, seems withdrawn or lacks knowledge of their whereabouts) call 9ll. Last Watch meets the third Thursday every month at 6:30 p.m. at the St. Henry Parish Center and you are welcome to join them and learn more about Teens Against Human Trafficking.

The meeting continued with Fred Wyngarden saying that Joa LaVille will be at Dec. 14 meeting to accept a check for the library. Martha Edgeton will make arrangements to present checks to FOP, Child Abuse Prevention and Amp on Dec. 6. The next regular meeting will be Dec. 7 at O’Hungry’s at 7 p.m. and the speaker will be Keith Lambertson a 30-year bus driver. The public is invited to attend.

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