Salvation Army brings awareness to human trafficking

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by Amy West

Story Created: Sep 27, 2012 at 3:24 PM CDT

Story Updated: Sep 27, 2012 at 3:28 PM CDT

As News 5 has talked about the last couple of weeks, the Hastings Salvation Army is teaming up with SASA to bring more awareness to human trafficking in the area. Abe Tamayo spoke with News 5 about this topic.

Amy: Why is this something that Hastings Salvation Army wants to get involved in?

Abe: The Salvation Army is concerned with the whole of humanity and in realizing the staggering numbers in the world, in the country and even here in Nebraska of human sexual trafficking. We are strongly concerned for the victims of those crimes. Our war is against oppression and the results of sinful oppression. So we are very interested in helping people to escape that lifestyle and secure a wholesome lifestyle in exchange.

Amy: These are some shocking statistics. This comes from CatholicOnline, these statistics say the percentage of victims exploited for sexual slavery are 80% and, at any given time, there are 2.4 million people who are victims of this human trafficking. Do you think people realize how big of an issue this is?

Abe: I don't think people realize how lucrative it is financially as well - some $36 billion a year income for those perpetrating this crime. Prostitution and other trafficking are not victimless crimes. Many of these people do not choose to be in those situations. They are runaways, throwaways or abducted individuals forced into this lifestyle. So we're looking to bring liberty to them and awareness.

Amy: Where can people go for more information?

Abe: Tomorrow we're having a vigil of prayer and education at our building on South Burlington. Come on down. There's 7 stations where you can become educated on the topic, you can visit about it and also say a prayer for those victims.

Amy: And we do have your website, tsahastings.com where people can go to find out more information there as well. And, of course, SASA in Hastings has some information.

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