Jefferson County In Awareness Mode On Human Trafficking

In the last few years. Jefferson County has been in an awareness mode and making a difference.

Notable prevention measures include many innovative projects, and this month it is

Human Trafficking Awareness Month.

Last Year Mayor Potts signed the first Proclamation for Human Trafficking with Rescue 180 and a special luncheon was held at their crisis center,

“ We are so blessed in Jefferson County to continue our campaign to fight against human trafficking, ” shares Executive Director of Rescue 180 , Rev. Debra Shultz.

It is all about awareness and collaboration.’

Shultz says, one of their programs that they implement with the TBI and Drug Endangered Children Initiative addresses Human Trafficking Nationally.”

“ The 13 Drug Endangered Response communities continue to coordinate HT awareness events within their areas to include but are not limited to youth HT presentations, Red Sand Projects and student lead awareness events. The Tennessee Alliance for Drug Endangered Children statewide coordinator annually presents at the, “ Are You Awake Human Trafficking conference.” states Tabatha Curtis , Tennessee Alliance for Drug Endangered Children’s statewide coordinator.”

The Jefferson County Health Department also has a passion to bring this horrible epidemic to a halt by spreading awareness’

Last year our speakers included Miss Beffrey and Sgt. Chris Barnes from the JCSD , they spoke at the Rescue 180 luncheon.

Beffery has worked to bring awareness and has used several platforms in her mission.

One of those platforms is the Jefferson County Health Council . Since she is a Prevention Educator herself with the County’s Health Department, she has worked to gather another round of support from our Mayor Mark Potts. This year he signed his second proclamation to fight Human Trafficking.

Shultz shares that in order to bring change we must connect each and every agency who has a voice to bring change. She reiterates ‘ it takes all of us ‘ to change our community and our world.

The Health Council Members wore blue in observance of the special acknowledgement.