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January 23, 2024

Truth About Trafficking presentation panelists
Image provided.
Truth About Trafficking presentation panelists

Features, News • January 23, 2024

Local nonprofit to host a panel event to bring awareness to human trafficking

By

HUNTLEY — Seeing as January is Human Trafficking Awareness Month; the Chicagoland area non-profit Refuge for Women is set to host a panel event on Jan. 24 to help bring awareness to the realities of human trafficking.

Local community leaders and field experts will discuss the critical issues surrounding trafficking and exploitation. Individuals who attend the event will learn about myths versus the realities of human trafficking, risk factors and indicators, as well as learn information on how to help victims.

Field agent panelists will include McHenry County State’s Attorney Patrick Kenneally, McHenry County Sheriff Robb Tadelman, Child Advocacy Center of McHenry County Executive Director Misty Marinier, Advocate Good Shepherd Hospital Clinical Manager of Emergency Services Dawn Moeller, Outreach Agency New Name representatives Megan Cooper and Maya Benning Codina, and Refuge for Women representatives Joan Flores and Meredith Hodge.

Back in 2022, My Huntley News had the opportunity to speak with Hodge about the role she plays as the executive director for Refuge for Women.

“It’s important for us to debunk the common myths and misconceptions about trafficking in our community. If our community thinks that trafficking is only a foreign issue or it means people are being transported in shipping containers or chained down in someone’s basement or it’s only connected to prostitutes and the inner city of Chicago, there will never be progress for action in our community,” Hodge said in her interview with My Huntley News. “The reality is—and it’s an ugly reality—but trafficking is happening here in McHenry County and Huntley and across all races, ages, religions, and economic statuses. So, we have an opportunity as a community to step up and do something about it.”

The Jan. 24 event provides an excellent opportunity for community members to invite friends and neighbors to learn more about the issues of trafficking and exploitation within McHenry County. Refuge for Women states that the event is suitable for those ages 13 years and older.

The event is set to take place from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the Cosman Theater (Huntley Park District) located at 12015 Mill Street in Huntley. The event is free to the public.

To reserve a seat for the event, individuals can visit refugeforwomen.org/chicago-truth-about-trafficking/.