The Falcon   |   Volume 83, Issue 53

Published 5/29/13   |   Log In

Leaders aim to fight sex trafficking

Students hope to involve SPU in cause

By ALEX CNOSSEN, Staff Reporter

Published: October 10, 2012

ASSP President Nate Strong wanted to do something big at Seattle Pacific this year, so he decided to start an anti-human-trafficking campaign.

“We want to see people realize they can do something to change [human trafficking],” Strong said.

Strong’s resolve to create an anti-trafficking program was strengthened when he met senior Breegan Harper on a study abroad trip in France this past summer. On a bus ride back from Normandy Beach, Strong remembers talking with Harper about his anti-trafficking program. Harper now co-chairs the anti-human-trafficking council called “Unite” with Strong.

Strong created a Presidential Action Council for the campaign and also got it approved as an ad hoc committee at Senate two weeks ago.

Harper said she has always taken gender equality issues very seriously but wanted to do more after reading Half the Sky—a book about the oppression of women.

“It’s about God’s ministry in this issue,” Harper said. “We’re really excited about it.”

Strong said “Unite” is composed of three stages that will span through three quarters: education, engagement and change.

Through education, engagement and change Strong and Harper hope to raise awareness both in the SPU student body and the surrounding Seattle community.

Strong said he wants to engage the attention of SPU students through contact with experts in the field, creation of films and documentaries, and testimonies from previous victims.

“I hope they have ways to get involved instead of just information,” sophomore Kathryn Owens said.

Strong and Harper hope to partner with the Student Ministry Coordinators on every floor and enroll additional subscribers to the already 90-person “Unite” email list. Interested students can subscribe by emailing assp@spu.edu.

There are also plans for campus-wide events and possible partnering with non-profit organizations such as Not For Sale, Seattle Against Slavery or Door to Grace, Strong said.

“It feels great to be part of a school that is willing to spend the time and effort to save people’s lives and get them out of harmful situations,” freshman Jordan Wagner said.

Plans for the first “Unite” event are yet to be determined, but Strong said he hopes to plan one for mid-November.

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