When Nebraskans think about sex trafficking they probably don’t think about it happening right here. That isn’t the case. Natalie Wallace is the event producer for the Lost and Found Fundraiser Saturday night in Omaha and says the city is one of the worst-case-scenarios for sex trafficking in the country. Once they heard about how bad it is here they had to do something about it.
Wallace says, “We are in the center of the country. We are right on I-80 so it is easy to have a girl based here in Omaha but you can get her out to Grand Island quickly. You can get her down to Kansas City, get her to and from Houston quickly.” She says the Lost and Found Fundraiser is a way to fight to end the sex trafficking of both boys and girls in the state. Their goal is to raise awareness of the problem and to fund programs that help victims.
Past recipients have been I’ve Got a Name in Lincoln and Rescue Nebraska. Wallace says this year they selected Rejuvenating Women who brought the first recovery house to Omaha. She says they work hard to provide a safe place for victims to stay, undergo recovery, therapy and self-development
Guest speaker for the event is Liz Turner from Kansas City who will talk about how to fight human trafficking. Other events include a silent auction, cocktails, light food and Wallace promises it will be an informative but fun evening. It starts at 6 p.m. at the Omaha Design Center at 15th and Cuming Street in north downtown Omaha.