For over a decade, the Lake County Sex Trafficking Taskforce has held a vigil to honor victims, and remember the lives lost to the illicit sex trade.

“This work is important because it is modern day slavery, it is human rights, it is a crime against humanity is what it is. We have to, as a society, not accept this behavior anymore.” Said Marlys Wisch, the taskforce’s chair.

The vigil was part of their mission to raise awareness for trafficking throughout the county. The December 6 event included music and speakers discussing this important issue, including Mel Alvar, who works for the Program for Aid to Victims of Sexual Assault (PAVSA) who spoke on some of the regional challenges that come with this global issue.

“We’re at below zero weather right now, right? It is not safe to be sleeping outside. So that’s an easy way in for someone to say, if you want a place to stay, come sleep on my couch, but you have to engage in a sexual act,” Alvar explained.

“Where it becomes trafficking is where that person’s now saying, ‘okay, you have to go and do these sexual acts with multiple people and then I’m going to be the one paid for it.’ So, exploitation is our slippery slope into trafficking in our community.”

Alvar and Wisch of course continue to advocate for victims and survivors beyond events like these. Both say that continuing education, and conversation about the difficult topic are critical to fighting it.

“I would love for folks to just know that we all know somebody impacted by sexual violence and we as a community and in our families are laying the groundwork for people to feel safe and comfortable to come forward to talk about these issues.” Alvar said.

“I just love to hear people say, ‘Yeah, I remember what you told me and I’m keeping an eye out.’ That’s what I want. I don’t want them to turn a blind eye and just ignore something.” Said Wisch.

PAVSA offers a 24/7 help line for victims of sexual abuse, which can be reached at (218) 726-1931