LETTER: Shining a light on human trafficking in Alaska

To the editor:

People need to know that human trafficking is a big problem in Anchorage. Studies have shown that at least 1 in 4 homeless teens report being victims of human trafficking. As a youth myself, I was unaware that this was even a problem at all in Alaska before I started a book project in my English class. I recently have been talking to my friends and teachers about the subject and have come to realize that this horrible crime is widely unrecognized in my community. This can be a big problem considering human traffickers often target kids my age, whom, I have come to realize, do not even know this is a danger they should be aware of in our city. This is why I am writing to you. There are so many organizations in Anchorage who support victims of human trafficking. For example, the Barefoot Mile Walk was hosted in May by a national organization that helps raise funds to support victims all over the country. Here in Anchorage, the proceeds went to the Covenant House, My House, and Priceless Alaska. All of whom use the funds to help save and support victims of human trafficking or just homeless people in general which also helps with the problem of human trafficking.I hope I have at least enlightened one person in our city who will go out into the community and do something to help because every person counts. I know I sure will.

—Savannah Moore

Anchorage