Partnerships between police, the community and victim service agencies are a valuable combination that can help police identify human trafficking and predatory behaviors towards youth. This collaboration can also assist in strategies that help coalitions and task forces to not only identify victims but to prevent our county’s youth from becoming victims by designing effective online stings.
With the changing climate of today’s society, youth are spending more time on the internet for school, online games and social media. This leaves our youth vulnerable to those who wish to harm our children for their personal gain. It is imperative to equip those working to identify victims and prevent predators from accessing our most vulnerable population, our youth.
One of the strategies that allows us to identify and arrest predators was helped this year by Mercy Foundation’s 2021 Virtual Festival of Trees. Through the fundraising efforts of the Festival, enough funds were raised to purchase much needed software and tools for both the Sutherlin and Myrtle Creek police departments totaling over $25,000.
These Mobile Forensic Investigative Tools and Software will aid investigators in identifying predators and prevent the victimization of vulnerable youth.
These tools will increase both agencies' ability to quickly search, collect, preserve and store evidence in investigations and will help save departments precious time, money and resources.
January is Human Trafficking Prevention and Awareness month. Along with many local agency trainings, the Douglas County Human Trafficking Task Force will be offering a FREE public awareness event to take place January 20th at Roseburg Cinema with a screening of the film
“I Am Jane Doe”.
It is from the generous donation of Roseburg Cinema that we are able to show the feature film, “I Am Jane Doe” which chronicles the epic battle that several American mothers are waging on behalf of their middle school daughters, victims of sex trafficking online.
Doors will open at 6:15 and we will start the event with a short presentation on local info regarding trafficking efforts at 6:45pm and the feature presentation begins at 7:00pm and will last approximately 100 minutes.
Vouchers for refreshments will be offered and the event is free of charge but space is limited so please come early.
For more information, please contact Marion Pearson at 541-677-4818
