The recent story of 48 missing people in the last 13 days in Iowa includes those from right here in the Quad Cities and surrounding areas. Nothing sends shivers down my spine more than knowing children are being sold in human sex trafficking. There truly isn't enough we can do, not enough awareness can be raised. In the Quad Cities alone, 5 teens in the last 13 days are gone. In Cedar Rapids, there are 3 and 1 is out of Clinton.

What is happening? Why so many?

There's a sex trafficking problem in our community and state that isn't being talked about enough. Well, I'm going to talk about it. I must do my part. I hope you do, too, by sharing this blog post and taking a few minutes out of your day to learn more.

There's an organization in the QC called Braking Traffik. Get involved, support them, attend their events and do whatever it takes to stop human slavery.

If you suspect human sex or labor trafficking, CALL 1 (888) 373-7888 or TEXT 'HELP' or 'INFO' to 233733.

Until I searched it, I didn't know an event was held in Rock Island, IL. on July 24, 2018 for MMIW (Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women) with Sage Sisters of Solidarity. They are talking about it, getting information out there and bringing awareness to our community. Let's help in anyway we can.

Last, I'll leave you with the story and Quad City native, Vaness McNeal. This past May we became friends and I heard her speak at a Tedx talk in Cedar Rapids. My life contiues to be impacted by this woman and her courage to tell her story and the stories of so many. She's now a film director and producer of a film called The Voiceless.

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