The Indiana Youth Services Association has created a statewide program to provide support services to victims of human trafficking and sexual exploitation.
The $750,000 Indiana Trafficking Victim Assistance Program (TVAP) was created in response to the increase in numbers of Indiana youth who have fallen victim to human trafficking and sexual exploitation. It launched on Nov. 18 and will provide support services to 150 youth victims.
The program will identify and provide comprehensive services by creating five regional coalitions and engaging community partners, according to the IYSA press release.
The number of reported cases has increased from 30 confirmed trafficked youth out of 100 tips reported in 2014 to more than 50 cases identified this year statewide. According to an IYSA press release, the number of cases is increasing with the amount of public education and as the public becomes more knowledgeable about the problem.
“These statistics are shocking, but the problem with the numbers is that it’s so underground,” said Kurt Green, vice president of Ball State's International Justice Mission. “We can never really know how many people are affected by human trafficking and sexual exploitation, but I feel like this is showing progress within our state, and people are starting to understand the reality of the issue.”
IJM's mission is to spread awareness and work to bring an end to modern-day slavery and human trafficking. Green, along with IJM President Lauren Baney, said TVAP will not only cause more awareness, but will help bring hope to youth victims.
“This program is important because children need a defender and can’t always fight for themselves,” Baney said. “This is a serious and dangerous issue, and children need a lot of help to get out and learn how to live afterwards.”
IYSA Executive Director and CEO David Westenberger said in the press release that the program will give the specialized, complex support victims need.
“We will work to change the lens through which the public views human trafficking," he said. "The trafficking and sexual exploitation of youth victims is so much larger than most people realize.”
Ultimately, the mission of TVAP is to establish a statewide network and provide specialized support services for youth victims and increase statewide public awareness of the issue, as well an awareness about the identification and warning signs of youth trafficking victims or potential victims.
“[Indiana is] beginning to step in the right direction of trafficking in realizing that these are all human beings,” Green said. “This program is really great and provides a huge reassurance that there is actual progress being made.”
Read More
'We know what we need to do:' Ball State softball looks for MAC Tournament berth in final regular season series
By Zach Carter / 15 hours agoBall State will end it's regular season with a three-game series at Central Michigan. The Cardinals are currently the No. 6 team in the Mid-American Conference while the Chippewas are the No. 5 seed.
Yorktown baseballs’ offense stalls early, falls to Shelbyville
By David Moore / YesterdayWith few conference games left on the schedule, this was an important series for the Tigers. However, in the end, the Golden Bears swept the season series over the Tigers with an 11-6 victory.
Students gather to protest for Palestine at Frog Baby Fountain
By Staff Reports / YesterdayA student-led protest kicked off near Frog Baby at 4 p.m. May 1 in solidarity with Palestine amidst the country’s conflict with Israel.
