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“Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.” - Nelson Mandela

In the news stories below, we illustrate local and global impact of human trafficking and the undeniable need to tackle these concerns through compassionate, collaborative action.

Hope in the Battle Against Sex Trafficking

Oregon Live

"Why don't we see more buyers getting four years?" That was one of former Congresswoman Linda Smith's comments when I asked her for insight about the sentencing of Julia Haner, the young woman found guilty of arranging sex acts for an underage classmate at Lake Oswego High School.

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Arrest Made In Portland Serial Killings

1190 KEX

On March 23, 1983, at approximately 5:00 p.m., a person was walking along the western edge of North Portland's Overlook Park when he looked over the steep embankment, between North Greeley Avenue and the park, and discovered the body of a 23-year-old African American woman. 

Detectives learned that the victim, 23-year-old Essie Jackson, was a victim of sex trafficking and had last been seen more than a month earlier on Northeast Union Avenue, now Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard.

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Ex-LO Cheerleader Gets Prison in Sex Trafficking

KOIN

Julia Haner, the former Lake Oswego cheerleader who admitted to human trafficking, was sentenced to 4 years in federal prison on Monday. Haner said Monday she takes full responsibility and promised U.S. District Court Judge Michael Mosman she will no longer be involved with prostitution.

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New Law Aids Fight Against Human Trafficking

Herald and News

Nita Belles is the managing director of “In Our Backyard,” an organization formed to fight against human trafficking, and is author of a book by the same name. She is also Central Oregon Regional Director for Oregonians Against Trafficking Humans (OATH) . The primary uses of victims of human trafficking are for forced labor and commercial sex.

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Oregon Woman on a Mission to Fight Human Trafficking

Toledo Blade

About a decade ago, Joy Grayczyk learned about human trafficking when two teenage girls on their way to an East Toledo fast food restaurant were abducted.

Though the girls were rescued days later, the issue of their nightmare of forced prostitution has remained with Ms. Grayczyk, 23, who knew the cousins.

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