By Kiera Morgan
Lincoln County School District High School students have had assemblies this week from NW family services and local law enforcement to learn about human trafficking of young people in rural areas. Liz Alston with NW Family Services has been working throughout Lincoln County conducting trainings this week at the schools to educate students about the dangers of human trafficking. Liz said people are aware that Portland has issues when it comes to this type of problem but she said they have discovered other communities have this type of problem and that teens are being lured to the valley and Portland area.
She said they are now working at expanding education to communities outside the Portland area. “Before coming down to do the trainings we had a Portland Police Officer make a posting on a well known site for those who are looking to buy and sell people for sex.” Alston said they got several hits from people here in Lincoln County. Saturday Officer Mike Gallagher with the Portland Police Bureau came to Lincoln County and did a training with local law enforcement. Another training was conducted Tuesday night in Newport.
Studies have shown that homeless youth are at a higher risk as they could easily fall prey to someone offering food, money, drugs or a ride out of the area and a place to stay. Alston recommends that parents pay close attention to what their kids are posting on social media sites and who they are friends with online. She said sex trackers target kids by offering high money to help them accomplish their hopes and dreams.
“They go online to the social media sites and see what the kids want to do with their lives then they tell these teens that they can make up to $200 an hour working in Portland and get the money they need to accomplish their goals.” Alston said they work to control their victims and get them away from their hometowns and loved ones. Alston added that both boys and girls are victims of sex trafficking crimes. For more information on protecting your children click on the logo above to go to NW Family Services website.
