During the 2021-22 fiscal year, the Human Trafficking Unit of the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation processed 1,268 human sex-trafficking tips. Of those, 621 tips involved minors. With more than 50 million people across the globe reportedly being trafficked or living in modern slavery, organizations are working to bring awareness to trafficking victims.
Locally, the Upper Cumberland Family Justice Center is advocating publicly through the Red Sand Project.
Community members, law enforcement agencies and family advocates joined together on Friday at the Square in Livingston to fill sidewalk cracks with red sand. This interactive art exhibit serves as a reminder that victims of human trafficking are falling through the cracks of society. Artist Molly Gochman created the Red Sand Project in 2014.
“This natural, non-toxic red sand in sidewalk cracks creates a stunning image to start conversations about human trafficking and provide information about resources,” representatives of the Upper Cumberland Family Justice Center (UCFJC) noted.
Community members in the region will have two more opportunities to fill sidewalk cracks with non-toxic red sand through two upcoming events hosted by the UCFJC:
9 a.m. - July 26 at the Putnam County Courthouse in Cookeville and
10 a.m. - July 30 at Donaldson Park, Celina in neighboring Clay County.
To learn more about the Upper Cumberland Family Justice Center, visit its location at 112 S. Church St. in Livingston. Office hours are 9 a.m. until 4 p.m. Monday through Friday. Call the office at 1-931-644-3963
