East Tennessee human trafficking group sees rise in men, youth trafficking clients

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WVLT) – The Neighborhood Coalition Towards Human Trafficking has continued to increase its attain to assist human trafficking purchasers. It’s a part of the rationale why the group mentioned it’s seeing extra male and youth purchasers.

Adam Woldt is a pastor at The Level Knox who additionally works with the group. He mentioned he by no means thought this was a problem within the U.S. till he bought extra concerned.

“I used to assume human trafficking abroad,” Woldt mentioned.

He discovered human traficking occurred right here in Knoxville after he observed considered one of his neighbors went lacking for about six months. He solely discovered what occurred to her after he noticed her once more.

“That evening I used to be type of shaken up by many issues, however what I had found that evening is her landlord who had simply gotten out of jail had discovered concerning the arrest and mentioned ‘In case you don’t do that for me, I’m going to kick you out,’” Woldt mentioned.

Woldt mentioned it’s a part of the rationale he needed to assist out. In his 5 years working in East Tennessee serving to human trafficking purchasers, he mentioned the typical age of the purchasers is round 15 years previous, used for intercourse and regarded a part of a susceptible inhabitants. Many occasions, individuals near the purchasers are those who gave them away.

“15 yr olds are mostly being trafficked by members of the family which may very well be their mother, aunt or someone they know intently,” Woldt mentioned.

The Neighborhood Coalition Towards Human Trafficking has grown its worker listing to assist discover extra purchasers, as effectively. By the tip of the yr, they plan to have 25 staff assist serve their a whole bunch of purchasers.

“We now have to do one thing to start to make a distinction now,” Woldt mentioned.

The group is asking the group to assist out, together with making regulation enforcement extra conscious.

“Elevating a voice and saying this isn’t okay and we have to take a stand towards this,” Woldt mentioned.

Individuals can assist the group in a enjoyable method subsequent Thursday at a Poker Event hosted at Schultz Brau Brewing.

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