I just got done speaking with my general manager about the movement — and confusion — behind the hashtag #SaveTheChildren.
While I’m glad some folks want to be a voice for children, I think it’s so important to use your words, shares online and actions — with purpose.
MISUNDERSTANDINGS
There are a lot of misconceptions about trafficking. Many cases aren’t what you see in the movies or with strangers. Many of the problems can start at home. Unfortunately, there’s no single label for trafficking. It can be complex and confusing.
The Wichita State University, Center for Combating Human Trafficking is a wonderful resource in our community. They share many educational opportunities and resources on social media. Follow them if you can. (They put up different stuff on Facebook and Twitter.)
CONSPIRACY THEORIES
There are some conspiracies fueling the movement recently. There are people legitimately concerned, but again, I want to make sure folks are educated and not mislead.
Some people are using this Save The Children movement and calling resources like news media, advocacy groups and police to make false reports or complain about cases. Our KAKE News inbox has seen several messages from some. When I replied, some were not satisfied with what I had to say. They kept then writing the hashtag #SaveTheChildren and sending it to us dozens of times.
Is that how you create change? And is badgering people into doing what you want the way you’d like to go with this? (I am not a fan of people who push that hard. I appreciate passion, but these people were angry.) While these people don’t speak for the group, I would like to see less of that and more productive means to getting the word out… again, with purpose.
Some good articles to give you background:
https://bit.ly/3fTbK2c
https://nyti.ms/30SOxsH
I was reading a post yesterday about trafficking with kids in airports. A woman shared a photo of a child in a mask and shared her story of being able to take her kids on a flight without proving they were her children. I don’t know the woman, and I think it’s important to know that things like this need to be vetted. But boy, I initially thought… wow, that IS a problem. But then I did my research and came to my senses a bit. How do I know it was true?
A lot of fake stories are shared online. Should you share it? I’d reconsider. https://bit.ly/2PO89bl
Some people are sharing false stories or trying to label things as trafficking when they are not. I’ve recalled speaking to police about similar posts online, like people saying they’ve had men creep on them or their children at the store and they said that they were about to be trafficked.
Was it scary? Yes. Could it have been trafficking? Maybe. We just don’t know. Situations like that, though, where someone grabs your child in a public setting at a store is rather rare — again, we don’t know. I’m not trying to discredit how people felt. I understand being uncomfortable.
Sometimes sharing those scary stories can be bad. Being aware of your environment is wise, but sharing a false narrative can be counterproductive to what is really happening. Can our misconceptions lead to us missing real sex or human trafficking? Quite possibly: https://lat.ms/3kAH3lY
SEX TRAFFICKING AND KANSAS
As I’ve shared in some prior posts, human trafficking does happen in our community. People, including children, are being used for work or sex. It can be quite subtle. At times, it can be so dark and very sad to know what’s happening.
I launched a news series Missing in Kansas two years ago at KAKE-TV. I partner with local police, the Kansas Bureau of Investigation, Kansas Missing & Unsolved, National Center for Missing & Exploited Childrenand other wonderful resources to make sure we’re giving a voice to those who don’t have it. I highlight stories of unidentified bodies and homicides, like our recent Miss Molly case in Saline County (now known as Justice for Robin Ann Green), missing children and adults, human trafficking, foster care issues with the Kansas Department for Children and Families and more. These stories are featured weekdays at 6 a.m. and 5 p.m. on KAKE News.
We’ve shared about 600 cases so far. We have helped with several trafficking cases, but I don’t always label them as such — all to protect those victims. I know what we do. It’s a lot to weigh on you. I get messages on cases every day. I’m proud of what we’ve accomplished. I have big ambitions for the future of the franchise.
You can always see more at KAKE.com/Missing
MISSING IN KANSAS INVESTIGATIONS
Here’s a small sample of the trafficking stories I’ve done:
Risks, warning signs of human trafficking: https://bit.ly/3hv0ZoX
Spotting human trafficking: https://bit.ly/2YHGsEU
Challenge with fighting sex trafficking online: https://bit.ly/3fmxZh8
Trafficking survivors create beauty business: https://bit.ly/2PRCLsu
Truckers Against Trafficking: https://bit.ly/30Ttzdp
Protecting kids on National Missing Children’s Day: https://bit.ly/2YeF0e3
Thanks for listening. Thanks for the shares. Thanks for supporting Missing in Kansas.