Human trafficking in Wyoming

Next week on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, Uprising, a Wyoming-based organization, will be conducting presentations and trainings in Worland regarding human trafficking that happens throughout the state.

These events are free to the public and do not require registration, thanks to a combined effort from Washakie County Emergency Management, Washakie County Sheriff’s Office, Worland Police Department and Washakie County Public Health.

Washakie County Emergency Management Director Kami Neighbors = stated that during a local emergency planning committee meeting, there was interest from committee members to learn more about human trafficking. Neighbors did some research on how she could bring the topic to light and discovered Uprising.

This nonprofit is focused on human trafficking education and prevention in the state of Wyoming, according to Terri Markham, co-founder of Uprising. Markham stated that Uprising considers itself to be “upstream,” meaning it does not provide direct services to victims of trafficking, but rather they get ahead of the crime by equipping people with knowledge that will lower their risk of becoming victims and be able to recognize trafficking in their own communities.

After moving to Wyoming, Markham said she felt compelled to found Uprising due to the lack of upstream education and prevention of human trafficking in the state.

According to Markham, human trafficking is a real issue here in

Wyoming, but it is more hidden than people may presume. Markham stated that familial trafficking is common, meaning that victims are trafficked by their own family members. These family members know who they can traffic to, due to the closeness of rural communities. The issue is furthered when families have a good reputation within the community, resulting in people not believing victims in these situations. Markham also said that online-based trafficking, especially of children, occurs in “staggering rates.”

In recent years according to Markham, 27 children were rescued in Wyoming that were in online human trafficking situations.

Markham and Neighbors look forward to bringing this opportunity to the area. According to Markham and Neighbors, these trainings typically don’t happen in the Big Horn Basin region. Neighbors hopes to see people from not only the community, but from all around the state.

While all classes will be open to the public and are opportunities to learn, Neighbors said that she encourages people to attend the first event, which will be Tuesday from 6 to 7:30 p.m. in the Worland Middle School Auditorium. This will be an informative introduction to the topic of human trafficking in Wyoming and what community members can do to help.

Three in-depth trainings will be in the Worland Community Center conference room, starting with “Human Trafficking for Professionals and First Responders” Wednesday, Oct. 4 and Thursday, Oct. 5 from 9 to 11 a.m. “Victimology of Human Trafficking” will be Wednesday, Oct. 4 and Thursday, Oct. 5 from 1 to 3 p.m.

These two trainings will be particularly informative for people who may come across victims in their professions, as they will learn about how to recognize and respond to trafficking.

The final training, “Keeping Kids Safe Online & IRL,” will be Wednesday, Oct. 4 from 7 to 8:30 p.m. and Thursday. Oct. 5 from 3 to 5 p.m. Given how prevalent the issue of online human trafficking is, Neighbors and Markham highly encouraged attendance to this training as well, especially parents, teachers and others who may frequently be around children.

If you are unable to attend these trainings, Uprising’s website, uprisingwyo.org, has easily accessible information for those who are interested. Markham stated that people can also request trainings as well. Markham said that the biggest thing you can do to help is educate yourself on the issue, whether it is at these trainings or elsewhere.