More than 30 individuals joined Keyway Center on Sept. 21, for our complimentary screening of "The Trap" documentary, a film produced by The Guardian that shines a spotlight on how recruitment for human trafficking is occurring within U.S. women's prisons.
The ensuing panel discussion delved into the critical intersection of human trafficking with the criminal justice system, highlighting the particular vulnerability of women transitioning from incarceration.
Keyway's executive director and panel moderator April Foster emphasized that women reentering the community require more than just the essentials – they need relational support. Unfortunately, they can sometimes find themselves targeted by those who seek to exploit their vulnerability. In this context, it is imperative that organizations like ours provide comprehensive support, which includes peer mentoring and mental health services, to guide women through the journey of "diversion and reentry."
The event panelists were AUSA Dianna R. Collins, human trafficking coordinator and environmental crimes coordinator, Eastern District of Missouri; Jatonya Clayborn, program director, Gateway Alliance Against Human Trafficking; and Jean Evans, former member of MO House of Representatives and anti-trafficking advocate.
Thank you to all who attended, and a special thanks to our esteemed panelists for the valuable contributions.
