TAKEN BUT NOT FORGOTTEN:
Stories of
Human Trafficking
Introduction
The exploitation of men, women and children is one of the world’s most prevalent human rights violations, taking place every day, many times over, in every corner of the globe. Whether it be sex or labor trafficking or missing and murdered loved ones, the serious short and long term consequences on individuals and families and society as a whole, is immeasurable.
Human Trafficking
Human trafficking is an extremely complex and destructive industry. It is the third largest international crime (behind illegal drugs and arms trafficking). Women and children are the most susceptible due to their gender and age, but men living in adverse or poor circumstances can also be targeted. Traffickers prey on the vulnerable, often with promises of a better life that can include, a well-paying job, help furthering an education, or any number of opportunities that offer a way out of a desperate situation.
Flagstaff is a perfect location for trafficking with the I-17 and I-40 corridors. Since the Flagstaff Initiative Against Trafficking (FIAT) started collecting data in 2017, it has documented more than 600 cases of sexual and labor based exploitation in Northern Arizona.
MMIW
Murder is the third-leading cause of death among American Indian Women. For generations, Indigenous people have suffered the loss of missing and murdered loved ones, an issue that is difficult to solve given incomplete data and a lack of collaboration among tribal and governmental entities. Arizona has the third largest number of MMIW. A report in 2020 and found that 160 murders of Indigenous women were recorded in Arizona from 1976 to 2018 and that murders among Indigenous women and girls have steadily increased over the last 40 years
The powerful image of a red handprint has come to symbolize the MMIW movement as a way to represent the thousands of women who have been silenced.
EVENTS
First Friday ArtWalk and Opening Reception: March 1st, 6-8:30 p
Focus: Human Trafficking with music by D-Squared-6pm
Exhibit Introduction by Becky Daggett, Flagstaff, City Mayor-7 pm
Introduction: Michelle Rucker, Director of Human Trafficking Services, Northland Family Help Center
Featured Speaker: Shanna Parker, Founder and CEO of Angels Go To Work, National Survivor and Spokesperson for Human Trafficking
First Friday ArtWalk and Final Reception April 5 6-8:30 pm
Focus: Human Trafficking with music by Slugs from Space
Featured Speakers: Shauna Sexton, Human Trafficking Program, Director, Phoenix Dream Center 7 pm
and MMIW Advocate Yolanda Bygone plus artist Tyree Manygoats
First Friday ArtWalk and Opening Reception: May 3 6-8:30 pm
Focus: Murdered & Missing Indigenous Women with music by Hunter RedDay
Featured Speaker: Amber Crotty, Honorable Delegate to the Navajo Nation Council 7 pm and artists Matthew Bollinger & Raphael James