Description

*This podcast discusses topics around sexual assault, domestic violence, stalking and physical violence. Missoula County acknowledges this content may be difficult for some and if so, encourages listeners to seek support from one of the local resources listed below. 

January is National Slavery and Human Trafficking Prevention Month, and Tuesday, Jan. 11, is National Human Trafficking Awareness Day. To understand how this issue impacts Missoula County, Commissioners Strohmaier and Vero visit with Missoula County Detective Captain David Conway and YWCA Pathways Program Manager Lyndayle Mattis.  

Unfortunately, human trafficking is here in the Missoula County community. This episode helps listeners understand what it is and provides resources for victims and tools for parents to help protect their children. 

Human trafficking is the exploitation of another person for labor, domestic servitude or commercial sexual activity by force, fraud or coercion. It is also the act of enslaving or exploiting unwilling people.  

If you are a victim, or think someone is, please contact one of these local resources for help: 

• 9-1-1 call or text 
• Missoula Human Trafficking Task Force  
  • https://www.missoulahumantrafficking.com/  
  • Call or text 1-833-406-STOP (7867), the local hotline for victims or for reporting human trafficking  
  • Aims to end human trafficking through the process of education, awareness and  collaboration with local, state and federal resources and community partners. 
• Lifeguard Group 
  • https://thelifeguardgroup.org/  
  • Call or text 1-833-406-STOP (7867), the local hotline for victims or to report human trafficking  
  • Helps protect people and the community against sexual exploitation and human trafficking. 
• YWCA  
  • https://www.ywcamissoula.org/  
  • 24-hour crisis line: 1-800-483-7858 
  • 1800 S. 3rd St. W., Missoula, MT 59801 
  • Provides life-saving services — shelter, counseling and more — for survivors of domestic and sexual violence, stalking and human trafficking. 
• Missoula Beacon Project - All Nations Health Center 
  • https://www.allnations.health/missoula-project-beacon/  
  • 406-829-9515 
  • 830 W. Central Ave., Missoula, MT 59801 
  • Provides foundational support and services to Indigenous survivors of human trafficking using culturally relevant care. 
• Missoula County Community Justice Department 
  • 406-258-3830 
  • Toll-free 1-866- 921-6995 
  • Email - cva@missoulacounty.us  
  • Promotes the safety of Missoula County citizens, the protection and healing of crime victims, the efficient and just treatment of defendants and offenders, the ongoing improvement and coordination of the justice system’s response to crime, and the prevention of crime and the reduction of recidivism. 

**This project was supported by Subgrant No. W05-753 awarded by the state administering office for the Office on Violence Against Women, U.S. Department of Justice's STOP Formula Grant Program. The opinions, findings, conclusions, and recommendations expressed in this publication/program/exhibition are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the state or the U.S. Department of Justice.

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Thank you to Missoula's Community Media Resource for podcast recording support!