Genesee County Human Trafficking Task Force

16/04/2026

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/18Mb17tEuP/?mibextid=wwXIfr

02/03/2026

https://www.facebook.com/share/1TyzGvES77/?mibextid=wwXIfr

Beauty for Ashes is a ministry dedicated to bringing hope and healing for a new and empowered life to victims of human trafficking and s*xual exploitation through the love of Jesus.

16/02/2026

🎬 **FREE COMMUNITY MOVIE NIGHT – *Ring of Silence*** 🎬
📍 *Open to the Public* | 🎟️ *No Cost to Attend* | 🔞 *PG-13*

📍 Life in Christ Church | Owosso, MI
🕕 Doors Open: 6:00 PM | 🎥 Movie Starts: 6:30 PM

We invite parents, caregivers, youth, educators, and community members to join us for a FREE screening of Ring of Silence—a powerful, film that sheds light on how youth are groomed and exploited into human trafficking**, often without even realizing what’s happening.

🕯️ What is *Ring of Silence* about?
This film follows the stories of young people who are drawn into exploitation through manipulation, false promises, peer pressure, and online grooming. It exposes the subtle tactics traffickers use and breaks down the myths of what trafficking “looks like,” showing how close to home it truly is.

👥 Why this matters for youth (PG-13):
✔️ Helps teens recognize **grooming behaviors and red flags**
✔️ Encourages **critical thinking and healthy conversations**
✔️ Empowers youth to **speak up, seek help, and protect themselves and others**
✔️ Reinforces that trafficking is not about bad choices—it’s about **deception and control**

🎤 Expert Panel Following the Film
After the screening, we will host a live expert panel featuring professionals in the field of human trafficking prevention, advocacy, and response—including a survivor with lived experience. This powerful discussion will:

* Provide real-world insight beyond the film
* Allow attendees to ask questions in a safe, respectful setting
* Help youth and adults understand **what to do, where to go, and how to help**

This is more than a movie—it’s an opportunity for **education, awareness, and prevention**, especially for young people navigating today’s digital and social pressures.

✨ Bring your teens. Invite a friend. Start the conversation.
Together, we can equip our youth with knowledge—because knowledge is protection.

13/02/2026

https://www.wnem.com/2026/02/13/online-predator-network-targeting-children-teens/

Police are warning parents about an online predator network that is targeting children and teens.

07/02/2026

I’m excited to share that Prism Project's Shine the Light Gala is taking place this month, and they would be honored to have you join.

Event Details:
📅 Date: Sat, February 28th
📍 Location: Venue One Eleven, Holly, MI
⏰ Time: 5-9pm

🎟 Tickets:
You can view ticket options and reserve your seats here:

Support child survivors of human trafficking receiving wrap around restorative care services at Prism Project Safehouse Program!

31/01/2026

Thank you to everyone who came out to Light Up the Night.

Your presence mattered more than you know. Every candle, every conversation, every quiet hug in the crowd was a reminder that survivors are not alone and that our community is willing to stand in the hard places together.

A very special thank you to Leyna for having the courage to share her story. Telling the truth about trauma takes unbelievable strength, and your voice brought light, understanding, and compassion into a space where it was deeply needed. We honor you. 💜

Tonight was about awareness, healing, and standing beside those who have walked through the unthinkable. Let this always be clear:

Surviving does NOT equal consent.

Silence does not equal agreement.

And no one ever deserves abuse.

We will keep showing up. We will keep listening. We will keep fighting for a world where survivors are believed, protected, and supported.

Thank you for being part of the light. 🕯️💜

An annual candlelight vigil in Flint is highlighting a crime that many say stays hidden but is happening closer than you may think.

30/01/2026

🚨 Light Up the Night – Tonight 🚨

Light Up the Night will be held tonight, and we wanted to answer a few frequently asked questions:

Q: Will the vigil be held indoors or outdoors?
A: Indoors. We will be gathering in the lobby of the GCSO.

Q: Do I need to bring a candle?
A: No. Battery-powered candles will be provided. Bob will have them available at the resource table.

Q: Can I bring a sign?
A: Yes. You are welcome to bring appropriate anti-trafficking signs to show your support.

Q: Is this event kid-friendly?
A: This is a parent’s choice. A survivor with lived experience will be speaking. We have had children attend in the past without issue.

Q: Will the vigil be televised?
A: Media has been invited. However, space will be available for anyone who prefers not to be on camera.

We look forward to standing together tonight as we shine a light on awareness, remembrance, and action. 💙

29/01/2026

🚨 PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT 🚨
How P*%n and Human Trafficking Fuel Each Other

Human trafficking does not exist in a vacuum. It is driven by demand, and one of the strongest demand-builders is P*%n.

👉 If human trafficking is the main “act,” P*%n is the dress rehearsal.

P*%n conditions the brain to view people as products, normalizes s*xual violence, and escalates demand for increasingly extreme content. Traffickers exploit that demand—often using force, fraud, or coercion—to supply it.

🔗 The Connection Matters

•Demand fuels exploitation
As consumption of P*%n increases, so does demand for more graphic, violent, and taboo content. That demand creates a market that trafficker's profit from.

•Traffickers use P*%n as a grooming tool
Victims are often forced to watch P*%n to “learn what buyers want,” desensitizing them to abuse and reinforcing control.

•The line is thinner than most realize
When coercion, manipulation, threats, or deception are involved in creating s*xual content, it legally meets the definition of trafficking.

📊 The Reality (Statistics)

• S*x trafficking is the most commonly reported form of human trafficking in the United States.
• Online s*xual exploitation continues to rise with millions of reports made annually involving images and videos—many involving minors.
• 1 in 7 missing children are believed to be victims of s*x trafficking (NCMEC).
• Survivors consistently report being forced to perform acts for cameras as part of their exploitation.

🛑 Why This Is a Public Safety Issue

This is not about shame. It is about prevention, protection, and accountability.

P*%n normalizes exploitation.
Trafficking turns that normalization into real-world harm.

Reducing demand **reduces victims.

✅ What You Can Do

✔ Talk to your children early and often about online content
✔ Monitor devices and digital access
✔ Support survivor-centered legislation
✔ Share accurate information — silence protects exploiters, not victims

Human beings are not content.
Children are not commodities.
And exploitation should never be entertainment.

“Many people don’t realize that consuming P%n can unintentionally support the demand that traffickers exploit"

29/01/2026

Legislation Press Release from Michigan Attorney General Nessel.

https://www.michigan.gov/ag/news/press-releases/2026/01/28/ag-nessel-applauds-senate?fbclid=IwY2xjawPnhv1leHRuA2FlbQIxMQBicmlkETFsWFNJU29tQk9Ba0dTU3pHc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHjKBaEWGdNaSRSIcsFWudR6OJWIgbCa2qQlFF1hUumAy5HN3Jl1-qcDGNMNX_aem_ThAxvI6D05Vy-n53DUIh6g

AG Nessel Applauds Senate Passage of Legislation to Combat Human Trafficking

28/01/2026

🕯️ **You’re Invited: Light Up the Night – Candlelight Vigil** 🕯️

The Genesee County Human Trafficking Task Force invites our community to join us for a **Candlelight Vigil** in honor of victims, survivors, and those we have lost to human trafficking and s*xual exploitation.

As Human Trafficking Awareness Month comes to a close, we gather not just to remember—but to stand together, bring light to darkness, and renew our commitment to protect the most vulnerable in our community.

📍 **Location:** Genesee County Sheriff’s Office
📍 **Address:** 1002 S. Saginaw Street, Flint, MI
🗓️ **Date:** Friday, January 30
⏰ **Time:** 4:30 PM

This year’s vigil will also include a resource table, providing information and support services for individuals, families, and agencies. Community partners are welcome to bring materials to share.

While many are heading home for the evening, countless victims are still trapped in exploitation. Your presence matters. Your voice matters. Your light matters.

🕯️ Please join us as we stand in solidarity and say—**enough is enough**.






If you’d like it **shorter**, **more emotional**, or **more press-style**, I can tweak it in seconds 💙

27/01/2026

Today, the Education Committee had the opportunity to visit Madison Academy in Burton, Michigan.

During our visit, we were welcomed by Kassidy, a student leader and member of SLS (Students Leading Students). Kassidy greeted our team in the office with professionalism and confidence, a firm handshake, and proudly guided us to the Human Trafficking Awareness Month display she helped create alongside Ms. Jaquays. Her leadership and initiative set the tone for a meaningful day.

We had the opportunity to educate students in grades 9–12 on the realities of human trafficking and s*xtortion. Angela addressed common myths surrounding human trafficking and unpacked the deceptive language and lies perpetrators use to manipulate and exploit minors. Amy courageously shared the story of her late daughter, Matison, and the devastating impact of human trafficking on her family, offering a powerful and personal perspective. Bob spoke with students about their role in protecting younger siblings, particularly in recognizing online risks and monitoring device use now that they are equipped with this knowledge.

We concluded the program by inviting students and staff to attend the Candlelight Vigil this Friday, and we hope to see members of the Madison Academy community there.

We extend our sincere appreciation to Madison Academy for recognizing the importance of this issue and for allowing our team the opportunity to educate their students. We also want to give special recognition to Kassidy for her leadership, advocacy, and desire to continue the conversation and do more. We look forward to returning in the future to provide more in-depth, grade-specific education.

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