Brainerd Dispatch — Identifying more sex trafficking survivors and preventing young people from becoming victims in the first place are the focuses of law enforcement and advocates in the Brainerd lakes area.
In recognition of National Slavery and Human Trafficking Prevention Month in January, proclaimed by Pres. Barack Obama, those focused on the issue locally are sharing plans for approaching the issue in upcoming months. These plans include expansion of its Saving Grace foster care program, implementation of a curriculum intended to educate young women on sexual exploitation and trafficking and plans to partner with the Brainerd School District on prevention efforts.
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The Brainerd office of Lutheran Social Service of Minnesota recently welcomed a new regional navigator, Naomi Nelson ’15.
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Nelson comes to LSS with a background in working with victims of trafficking and sexual exploitation. As a student at St. Cloud State University, she was part of a student group that advocated the passage of the Safe Harbor Law. She went on to work with pornography stars in Las Vegas and with women in brothels in India and southeast Asia. Originally from the area, Nelson said she was excited to return to work in a field she’s passionate about.
