ASHTA founder appointed to Governor’s Council on Human and Sex Trafficking

WASILLA — Alaska Stop Human Trafficking Alliance (ASHTA) founder Staci Yates was recently appointed to the Governor’s Council on Human and Sex Trafficking.

Yates serves on one of five councils under Governor Mike Dunleavy’s People First Initiative which focuses on five intersecting public safety concerns: domestic violence and sexual assault, human and sex trafficking, missing and murdered indigenous persons, foster care, and homelessness.

Dunleavy announced the People First Initiative in December 2021, and he introduced the Sex Offenses Bill, Victim Protection Bill, and Sex Trafficking Bill in February.

Yates said that she discussed new updates to the criminal statutes and what it means for survivors of sex trafficking during the Governor’s Press Conference. She said the three bills would put more penalties on offenders and offer more support and protection for survivors.

“With the governor’s new legislation of expunging the record of survivors, that will help them to move on to get homes and jobs and be a part of their communities again,” Yates said. They didn’t choose this. It’s not their fault.”

Yates said that she felt honored to have the opportunity to serve on the Governor’s Council, and she’s abundantly prepared for their first meeting April 12.

“It’s gonna be great,” Yates said.

Yates said that ASHTA has been gaining membership and overall awareness. She said it’s encouraging to have so much public recognition and positive momentum going for the cause she’s fighting so hard for.

“It’s just been growing and growing,” Yates said.

“That’s my passion that’s my drive. That’s why I keep doing what I’m doing, for lasting change,” Yates said.

Yates is currently working to start a pilot program in the Valley for The Foundation United’s S.P.E.A.K. Up (Student Prevention Education & Advocacy for Kids), a national training curriculum that educates faculty and staff on how to protect students and recognize the red flags.

Yates said the S.P.E.A.K. Up curriculum is an effective way to give students tools to fight online predators/traffickers and to recognize when they or their friends are being groomed, and she would like to start with a pilot school in the district and eventually take the program statewide. She said The Foundation United CEO Elizabeth Melendez Fisher Good spoke at the most recent ASHTA meeting, and she’s hopeful to establish the program in the Valley soon.

Yates regularly hosts human trafficking 101 classes at various churches, schools, and other community venues throughout the year.

“Education is so important,” Yates said. “This is how we’re going to eradicate sexual exploitation out of Alaska.”

“Redemption — Loved & Thriving” is a podcast that Yates recently established to use her voice as a human trafficking survivor to bring hope and healing to those that are hurting in the community. The podcast is available on online platforms such as iTunes, Spotify, and YouTube.

For more information about how to get involved with ASHTA, email notrafficking@myhousematsu.org.

To report suspicious activity that could relate to human trafficking, call the National Human Trafficking Hotline at 1-888-373-7888. Victims can text “HELP” or “INFO” to 233-733 for immediate assistance.

Contact Mat-Su Valley Frontiersman reporter Jacob Mann at jacob.mann@frontiersman.com