By Josie Osborne, Contributing Writer
While the aura of love was still fresh in the air after Valentine’s Day, on Thursday, Feb. 15 at 6p.m., students, professors, and visitors alike gathered in the SCC Boardrooms for a Dating Violence Awareness Seminar.
Jan Edwards, representative, founder, and president of Paving the Way Foundation, was the keynote speaker at the event, showcasing a collection of statistics, tips, and stories concerning the prevention of human trafficking, grooming, sexual coercion, and many other important ideas. This was perfect for the middle of February, Teen Violence Awareness Month.
Edwards was introduced by Dr. Karin May, assistant professor of criminal justice and Saint Leo’s representative for the Mel Greene Institute to Combat Human Trafficking, and Captain Justin Ross of the Pasco County Sheriff’s Office. The seminar served as an educational opportunity, promoting research and awareness on the issue.
“It isn’t just a law enforcement issue,” says Ross. “Breaking the cycles of abuse and dating violence are issues of the community.”
Edwards expanded greatly on this point, illustrating the connection between abuse and trafficking, while stressing the importance of looking at possible underlying issues of both the victims and young abusers.
Edwards also shared many horrific yet crucial statistics to help understand the severity of the issue. For example, Florida is ranked third in reported calls to the National Trafficking Hotline.
Edwards also stated that there were 32 million reports of online child sexual abuse material in 2022, and that the average age of targets online is children from 10 to 13 years old.
She emphasized the dangers of technology, sharing details concerning everything from social media websites and online gaming platforms, to sugaring and sexting.
“This is the world we live in,” says Edwards.
Prevention is the first step in staying safe. Edwards encouraged the audience to turn off location services, turn off wireless nearby sharing like Airdrop, make personal social media accounts private, and to share your passwords with a trusted adult in case of an emergency, as well as creating a safe word within your family.
There are more risks than many care to admit. For example, while technological advancements like artificial intelligence have their upsides, they also can create more dangers through voice and face imitations which can be used to gain trust or spread false, inappropriate images.
While these tips and statistics are frightening, there are other ways to help. In her film, “Trapped in the Trade,” Edwards emphasizes the dangers of being a bystander. Instead, she encourages people to reach out to others, speaking up, and standing up.
For more ways to get involved, keep an eye out for other Paving the Way Foundation or Mel Greene Institute events, like the 2nd Annual Charity Golf Tournament, Tee Up for Trafficking, on May 4.
“The more we share,” says Edwards, “the bigger difference we can make.”
