FORT SMITH(KFSM) – For the past several months, law students from the University of Arkansas have been brainstorming different ways to put an end to human trafficking.
On Wednesday (Oct.7), they’ll present their ideas to local organizations working to confront and prevent the increasing problem. Students will present their ideas on how to put an end to human trafficking at the Fort Smith Public Library along Rogers Avenue at 6:00 p.m.
The Zonta Club is the group behind tonight’s intiative. The club is an organization that focuses on how to empower woman and girls worldwide. They’ve been working with University of Arkansas law professor Annie Smith as well as two law students about how to help in the fight against human trafficking.
Between the both of them, they’ve created educational materials detailing different issues with human trafficking.
The group said the first step is getting a conversation started in the community about the growing problem.
Statistics show an estimated 800,000 people fall victim to human trafficking every year. It happens not only overseas, but also in the River Valley and in Northwest Arkansas communities. “We are living in an area located on an interstate system and that is a method that is used often for human trafficking victims,” said Sheryl Flanagin with the Zonta Club.
Flanagin adds, those that attend should gain increase knowledge about this issue.
Members of the club said they will continue to meet about this issue and other issues to stop violence against women throughout the year.
