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Presenter outlines Red Sand Project and urges vigilance on human trafficking
Summary
A presenter described the Red Sand Project and urged residents to watch for signs of human trafficking, citing a national claim that "every 2 minutes" a child is trafficked and reporting Tennessees 2024 TBI tip total of 1,107 (over 500 involving minors). The presenter described physical, verbal and medical signs and urged reporting to local authorities or the Tennessee human trafficking hotline.
A presenter described the Red Sand Project as an awareness campaign that "brings awareness of human trafficking by hosting many different Red Sand events," saying those events usually occur in late July and "particularly between July 28 and August 4." The presenter said the campaign uses a public visual demonstration to draw attention to hidden exploitation.
The presenter defined human trafficking as "the use of force, fraud, or coercion to exploit someone for *** or labor," calling it "modern day slavery" and saying it is often "hiding in plain sight" in communities. The presenter stated that "in The United States, on average, every 2 minutes, a child is bought and sold for human trafficking," and added that "in 2024, in Tennessee alone, TBI reported 1107 human trafficking tips with over 500 of those involving minors." The presenter framed those numbers as evidence the problem is closer to home than many realize.
The presenter described common locations and recruitment methods, saying trafficking appears "in our malls, in our shopping areas, online," and that victims are sometimes recruited "even through friends or family." The presenter listed physical signs — including "scars, burns, tattoos, someone being malnourished" — and verbal cues such as a person appearing "coached" or allowing another person to speak for them. The presenter also listed medical indicators, naming "chronic cardio respiratory issues, maybe urinary difficulties" as possible red flags.
Explaining the Red Sand Project action, the presenter said organizers "pour red sand in the sidewalk cracks," which "visually represents how survivors of human trafficking often slip through the cracks of our society unnoticed." The presenter closed by reminding listeners that Tennessee is a "see something, say something state," and warned that "it is state law that if you see abuse happening, especially to a child, that you report it to your local law authorities, or you can report it to the Tennessee human trafficking hotline."
