KSD Hosts Human Trafficking Forum

Kearney School District parents/guardians and community members are invited and encouraged to learn how to help identify, prevent and respond to human trafficking during a community forum from 6 to 7:30 p.m. on Monday, Feb. 19 at Kearney High School.

This community forum will be led by Russ Tuttle, President and Founder of the Stop Trafficking Project. His organization uses communication, leadership, team development and compassion to combat domestic minor sex trafficking.

Free on-site childcare will be available during the forum. The content is appropriate for people who are at least 18 years old. The high school is located at 715 E. 19th St. in Kearney, Mo.

Kearney School District’s highest priority is to help ensure the safety, security and well-being of their students. To that end, Mr. Tuttle led training for all district staff when they returned from their winter break on Jan. 8.

Tuttle’s session centered on the fact that pre-teens and teenagers have immature brains, can often make impetuous decisions and have powerful digital tools that they carry around in the form of cell phones. These factors can combine with toxic long-term consequences for victims who make one bad choice that pulls them into the grasp of traffickers.

The value of that staff training led Assistant Superintendent for Academic Services Jennifer Kopp to invite Tuttle to provide similar guidance for students, parents/guardians and community members.

Students in grades K-12 will participate in fun and age-appropriate training sessions with Tuttle on Feb. 20-21 to learn how they can help protect themselves from the dangers of human trafficking. Parents/guardians have the opportunity for their children opt out of the sessions.

KPGZ News - Ray Weikal with the Kearney School District contributed to this story