By The Keystone Newspaper Advocates fill campus sidewalk cracks with red sand
By Marie Shane
Photo Credit: KU Psych Dept Instagram
On Nov. 4, KU students participated in the Lehigh Valley Anti-Trafficking (LVAT) Red Sand Project. Students worked to fill the sidewalks on campus with red sand. The sand is a visual representation of the thousands of survivors who “fall through the cracks” of our political, social and economic systems.
The Red Sand Project is a part of LVAT Week, which is held the first week of November each year. The goal of this week is to educate people on human trafficking and to recognize the importance of survivors’ voices.
Before the event, students gathered in the McFarland Student Union Alumni Auditorium to hear from panelists of field experts and survivor leaders. Panelists included Alyssa Almonti, Lauren Brennan, Kate Murray and Adayln Ober.
The panel expressed that human trafficking is a misunderstood and underreported crime, which makes it important for people to stay educated and raise awareness.
Photo Credit: KU Psi-Chology Club Instagram
According to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), human trafficking involves the use of force, fraud and/or coercion to obtain labor or commercial sex acts. Traffickers often use violence and manipulation to lure victims into situations of trafficking.
The Red Sand Project was first held on campus in 2016 and continues to be an important event for students to build community and provide support for trafficking survivors.
To learn more about LVAT week and how to raise awareness for human trafficking, visit LVAT’s website.