Student group plans events focused on human trafficking
Thursday, January 7, 2021 3:00 PM
News
Pittsburg, KS
Pittsburg State University’s Students for Violence Prevention organization is planning several events — some geared at students and some open to the public — in coming weeks to shine a spotlight on human trafficking.
Human Trafficking Prevention Month is observed nationally through January, and National Human Trafficking Awareness Day is recognized each year on Jan. 11.
Jan. 11-31
Art installation
A new exhibition by artist Sarah Serio, "The Game In Three Parts: Human Trafficking in America," will be open to the public from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. weekdays at the Bicknell Family Center for the Arts. It will feature work on three aspects of human trafficking.
Serio is a native of Neosho, Missouri who graduated from Crowder College and Missouri Southern State University. She serves on the Neosho Council Board of Directors and is a member of Spiva Center for the Arts and numerous art coalitions.
The exhibit also may be viewed online at https://bit.ly/35j6mmt
Jan. 15 at 6 p.m.
Ask the Artist: A Zoom with Sarah Serio
Serio will discuss the topic of human trafficking and her inspiration behind the exhibit on display at the Bicknell Center. She’ll answer questions from participants regarding her process and knowledge of human trafficking. To request a password to join the Zoom event, email svp@pittstate.edu.
Jan. 15-29
Human Trafficking Book Display
Students for Violence Prevention have partnered with Axe Library to create a book display to bring awareness to the topic of human trafficking. It will include handouts, brochures, and free blue ribbons. Books will include “Girls Like Us,” “Slaves Among Us: The Hidden World of Human Trafficking,” “Selling Olga: Stories of Human Trafficking and Resistance,” and more.
The display may be viewed during library hours, weekdays and weekends. For additional details, email violencepreventionga@pittstate.edu
Jan. 20 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Student Organization Fair
Students for Violence Prevention will have a table at the student organization fair, to be held in the Overman Student Center Crimson & Gold Ballroom, to promote SVP’s mission, upcoming human trafficking events, educational opportunities, and how to get involved on campus in related activism efforts.
Jan. 27 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Human Trafficking Fair at the OSC Crossroads
PSU organizations Students for Violence Prevention, PRISM, BSA, NASA, and HOT will host informational tables with topics related to human trafficking, including people being bought and sold at the Superbowl, how to support survivors, people at risk of becoming trafficking victims, local and national resources, and warning signs that someone may be trafficked. For additional details, email svp@pittstate.edu
Jan. 29 from 7 to 9 p.m.
Red Light Green Light Documentary Screening & Discussion
As nations around the globe attempt to fight sex trafficking, many consider legalizing prostitution. In this documentary, two filmmakers who traveled across 10 countries explored the issue and attempted to answer the question, "How can we prevent sexual exploitation before it happens in the first place?"
The documentary will be open to the public at the Bicknell Family Center for the Arts, followed by a small discussion and viewing of the “Game in 3 Parts” art installation in the Bicknell Art Gallery. The trailer for the documentary may be viewed at https://bit.ly/3be9TXb
Feb. 3 from 12 to 1 p.m.
Human Trafficking Brown Bag Discussion: A Zoom with Adah Hutchcraft
Adah Hutchcraft, a chaplain at Ascension Via Christi-Pittsburg and member of the Southeast Kansas Human Trafficking Task Force, will be the keynote speaker. It’s open to the public and is meant to explore human trafficking in local communities, ways to identify it, and resources for survivors. To request a password to join the Zoom event, email svp@pittstate.edu.