Human trafficking, or modern day slavery, at first glance may be categorized as a problem occurring throughout major cities across the United States. The problem, however, is occurring in small towns across the U.S. including rural areas of the Twin Lakes Area. People become victims who have their human rights violated and are forced into labor, sexual slavery and sexual exploitation.
Senator Missy Irvin, whose district covers a portion of Baxter County, says she’s dealt with victims of human and sex trafficking locally and has pushed for stronger legislation since 2013.
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At the time in 2013 Irvin says Arkansas received a national rating of a “D” when it came to laws on human trafficking. According to Irvin, Arkansas now has an “A” rating.
Irvin says children are among the most vulnerable to sex traffickers. Social media can pave the way for a young person to be taken advantage of.
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Irvin recalls the story of her constituent who was an all-American blonde-haired, blue-eyed teenager, with self-esteem issues. She met a man on social media who was in his 20’s. After they developed an online relationship she considered him, for all intensive purposes, her boyfriend.
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The men terrorized her and threatened to hurt her mother, sister, siblings and other family members if she did not participate in sexual acts, as they profited by selling her to other men.
Irvin says children need to be educated to the dangers of online predators. She says advocacy groups are important.
Into the Light is one of those advocacy groups in Mountain Home. In part two of our series, we’ll hear from the group’s director, Gretchen Smeltzer.
Baxter County Sheriff John Montgomery says anyone suspecting a person to be a victim of trafficking may call the Sheriff’s Department at 870-425-7000 or if they want to remain anonymous they may submit a tip online at submit a crime tip
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