A Walk Together to Benefit Victims of Sex Trafficking is This Weekend

(KNSI) – To participants, it may be only a small way to help but for victims of sex trafficking and abuse in central Minnesota, it could make a huge difference.

The fifth annual A Walk Together – Uniting Against Sex Trafficking is Saturday. It will begin at Shear Dynamics in Waite Park, go along Division Street near Crossroads Center mall, and back to the salon. The cost is $35 to register.

Founder and organizer Linda Wander tells KNSI News it’s a fun event for a team. “It’s super fun to have a group of people that are on the same page and want to support it. When we walk, we carry signs. We encourage people to make signs. We have a bunch of signs as well when we’re out on Division Street.”

She says the goal is to raise awareness by alerting the public. “We want to get the word out. We want this to be big so that eventually, it won’t be such a problem in our area.”

Wander says women are often groomed and trapped into a life of sex trafficking. She works with the Central Minnesota Sexual Assault Center and says there is not a single hotel in the St. Cloud area that has been spared from prostitution.

All proceeds will go directly to help the victims of sex trafficking escape a life of prostitution. Teams that raise $1,000 or more can win a $500 Bad Habit Brewing Company or Blacklight Adventure certificate.

Last year, the event raised around $39,000, with 130 walkers and 38 registered sponsors.

To register or for more information, click here.

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