Lions Against Trafficking hosted their annual Electrik 5k. Events included the 5k, food, a speech by President of Trafficking Hope Louisiana and ended with a paint fight.
The Lion's Roar/William Schmidt
Runners, walkers, basketball players and those wishing to support Hope House came together to raise awareness of modern day human trafficking, hoping to see it abolished in the future.
On Friday, Apr. 8 from 7 to 10 p.m., Lions Against Trafficking held its Electrik 5k run/walk for the fourth year in a row at North Oak Park. All profits made through the 5k will be donated to the non-profit Hope House organization.
“Hope House provides certain residential assistance for those rescued from human trafficking,” said president of Trafficking Hope Louisiana George Mills. “The ladies either come to us through law enforcement operations or through any trafficking agencies that are doing street-community outreach where they are actually going out and trying to find human trafficking victims.”
The Lady Lions basketball team helped LAT with the preparations for the event, registered, checked in participants and cheered on runners as they would complete one of the four laps needed to finish the 5k.
“We feel that it is important to be a part of our community so that people are aware of the women’s basketball team and know that we are involved not only on the court, but off the court as well,” said junior criminal justice major and basketball guard Asia Vetter. “I would like to see everyone get through this race and work together to do something. We are going to work together to cheer them on as if it was a game.”
At 7:50 p.m., participants of the 5k walked to the starting line. Since the main focus of the night was to raise money for Hope House, participants could run, walk or choose to not finish the 5k. However, prizes were given to the three participants that finished first.
Senior general studies major and basketball guard Erica Hernandez finished in first. Denham Springs resident Anthony Hall placed second and freshman psychology major Sophia Leone took third.
Leone attended the event because she believes that LAT stands for a strong ideal and wanted to show her support for Hope House. Leone hopes more people become aware of the issue of sex trafficking and LAT’s organizational involvement on campus and throughout the community.
“I came out here tonight because I knew we were all coming out for a good cause,” said Leone. “I heard it was a great event, and I wanted to be a part of it. I hope it grows and gets more awareness because I didn’t know this organization was on campus at first. It is amazing what they did to raise money for Hope House.”
Senior with a double degree in business administration and accounting and President of LAT Jonathan Jee hoped that Friday night’s event not only raised awareness of the issue of human trafficking, but that those rescued from human trafficking will receive support.
“Some girls can get rehabilitated through the Hope House,” said Jee. “There are people that need to be restored. There are people that need help because they don’t have any hope.”
After the completion of the 5k, Mills spoke of the goals of Hope House, how human trafficking was affecting the community, nation and world, as well as mentioning that House Bills are in the process of being passed in order to help human trafficking victims.
“There are two bills going through legislation that changes the age of when you can use consent as a defense from 18 to 21,” said Mills. “In other words, if I am a trafficker of a 19-year-old girl, right now, I can say, ‘She gave consent to do this.’ The way the new law would be, if she is 21 and under, consent is not a defense. It is a good law, it’s a good bill.”
After Mill’s presentation, participants were able to enjoy a meal, find out the winners of the one-dollar raffle and enjoy a neon paint fight. It was a chance for the community and students to help support a justifiable cause and get out of their homes.
“We are dedicated to bringing the community together and making it better and stronger,” said freshman communication major and basketball forward Kyle Felton. “It is a blessing and very fun to be out here and meet new people and encourage people to do more than just be out of their room.”
LAT hopes that the event helps to raise awareness of their presence on campus and let people know that human trafficking is a predominant issue to watch out for.
“I would like the students at Southeastern to know we are the only organization on campus that raises awareness about human trafficking,” said senior kinesiology major and Vice President of LAT Lauren Larson. “People need to know it exists because it happens, globally, nationally, locally, it happens everywhere. I think people definitely need to know about it so they won’t potentially fall as a victim.”
Mills was glad that the philanthropy was able to collect donations for Hope House and wants the university to be aware of how human trafficking may be taking place in their backyard.
“I think any advocacy events done on college campuses is great,” said Mills. “We know that recruiters are on college campuses. I have had a female email me before that was recruited off a college campus, so it is happening on our college campuses. Plus, Southeastern is located strategically on the trafficking corridor on I-12 which is the southern trafficking corridor.”
Participants in the Electrik 5k encourages fellow students to do research of the horrendous issue of human trafficking.
“I think people need more awareness of the trafficking issues,” said Leone. “The issue itself, I think people misunderstand it because I know I did. Lauren [Larson] did a presentation of it at CSA [Catholic Student Association] and on what human trafficking was. I personally didn’t know what it was. I think if people were more aware that it is very common, because it has different types, I think people would work together to end the issue.”
To learn more about Hope House, visit traffickinghope.org. To learn more about LAT, visit their Facebook page at Lions Against Trafficking.
The Lady Lions basketball team helped with the event as well as registering participants . All profits will be donated to the non-profit organization Hope House.
The Lion's Roar/William Schmidt