On Saturday, November 10th from 4-6 p.m. the Junior League of Ogden (“the League”) and the Weber State Women's Center are raising awareness about the perils of human trafficking with a free public documentary screening of “IN PLAIN SIGHT: Stories of Hope & Freedom.” The film will be shown at the Wildcat Theater, which is located on the second floor of the Shepherd Union Building at Weber State University's main campus. Scott Eggerman, a human trafficking investigator with the Utah Attorney General’s Office will be moderating a post-screening Q&A to help answer questions.
The feature-length documentary features six modern-day abolitionists as they fight sex trafficking across America. Journeying to six US cities, the documentary opens the viewer’s eyes to what’s happening down the street “in plain sight”. Through engaging interviews with numerous victims of sex trafficking, the force, coercion, and deception of the children and women becomes apparent. In the midst of the darkness, stories of hope and freedom emerge as each survivor shares how she was impacted through the work of a sex trafficking aftercare home. “Most Americans are completely oblivious to the fact that thousands of women and children are enslaved within their own communities,” said David Trotter, co-executive producer.
“Last April, the Junior League of Ogden organized a First Friday Art Stroll event and it included a panel of three, local survivors of human trafficking. The response we received from the community was overwhelming, and it was a confirmation to us that we had to continue with our mission to spread awareness and education about human trafficking.” said Aloha Reynolds, Strategic Development Vice President for the League. “We’re thrilled to be partnering with Weber State University who is also spreading awareness and education to their students. Our main goal is to inform the community and provide any resources we can to help combat this epidemic. Unfortunately, it is happening in our backyard and we need to be aware.”
“The Weber State Women’s Center is dedicated to preventing sexual violence at our university and beyond. We’re excited to support this event that sheds light on an important issue and shares the stories of people whose voices are so often silenced,” said Alex Dutro-Maeda, Program Specialist at the Weber State Women’s Center.
“The Junior League of Ogden has matured and evolved since it was founded in 1953. Throughout that long history we continue to identify Ogden's most urgent and pressing needs and address them with new programs and initiatives that not only improve lives, but change the way people think,” said Jenny Kite, 2018-19 League President. “Human trafficking is a prevalent problem, right here in our community, and that’s why we’re raising awareness about the issue and educating our community on how to stop it.”
