GREEN BAY, Wis. — The National Human Trafficking Hotline has received more than 2,500 calls from Wisconsin since it started. Those calls helped identify more than 1,600 human trafficking victims.
An organization based in Green Bay is working to help put a stop to human trafficking and support victims.
Awaken is a faith-based nonprofit organization with the goal of increasing awareness and education about sexual exploitation.
It was first established in 2011 in Reno, Nevada by Kasia Klaus. When Klaus and her husband moved to Wisconsin in 2022, they expanded the organization.
“We have three main elements with Awaken,” said Klaus. “Prevention, restoration and city transformation. So, we know one of the most important things is bringing awareness to this issue.”
Klaus said a crucial part of this work is developing community partnerships.
“Being able to work with a reputable business that we trust, that understands the population we are working with, just proves so fruitful for everyone involved,” she said. “The more eyes we can have on individuals that are vulnerable in certain situations, the more beneficial it is for our community.”
One of the local businesses Awaken partners with is called Brow Down. It does permanent makeup.
“Everything from eyebrows, eyeliner, lips, and I also offer permanent jewelry,” said owner Sheryl Sylvester.
Klaus said when women are trying to escape a life of sex trafficking, they often need to change their appearance.
Sylvester offers her services at no charge to not only help protect survivors from past traffickers but also try to make them feel more comfortable and confident in themselves after experiencing trauma.
“Offer them opportunities to maybe make themselves feel better even on my end, whether that’s permanent makeup or permanent jewelry, or any type of fine line tattoos that can inspire them through recovery,” said Sylvester.
Klaus also partners with tattoo removal businesses, which volunteer to remove tattoos that many survivors have been branded with by their traffickers.
Klaus said there is a role for everyone in the fight against human trafficking and encourages everyone to get involved.
“You can bring awareness to the community that you live in, your circle of people you are empowered to be in,” Klaus said. “Financial assistance is always fantastic, and donations of clothes.”
Klaus said it is very important to be able to spot signs of sex trafficking and know who to call for help.
If you live in Brown County and believe someone is a victim of sexual exploitation, you can contact Awaken Wisconsin by calling 920-333-1701 or emailing infowi@awakenjustice.org.