by LINDSAY TIGAR
Associate Editor for Editorial Content

Editor’s note: This is the first in a two part series about human trafficking. Full versions of the parts are available online. 

United States highways I-85 and I-95, both running through North Carolina, have been used for the transportation of goods from one location to another for decades. These goods have been both legal and illegal.

And sometimes, these products are human beings.

“There are a lot of reasons why North Carolina is so vulnerable to [human] trafficking, we’re both on the I-85 and I-95 corners that facilitate movement,” Program Coordinator for the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill’s Women’s Center, Pam R. Lach said. “…and there have been other forms of trafficking, particularly drug trafficking, along those routes in the past, so they are just replacing one product with another.”

Human trafficking is forced sexual or domestic labor of primarily women and children.

The issue is not only of international concern, but also of the United States.

The Mariam and Robert Hayes Performing Arts Center in Blowing Rock will host a showing of “Trade,” a movie starring Kevin Kline released earlier this year, about North American human trafficking Nov. 5 at 7:30 p.m.

American feminist and political activist Gloria Steinem will moderate a question and answer session following the film.

Equality Now, the High Country Women’s Fund, the Appalachian Women’s Fund and Westglow Resort and Spa sponsor the event.

Tickets sales benefit the two funds and Equality Now.

Tickets are $20 for regular admission and $50 for box seats.

An estimated 20,000 people are trafficked into the U.S. each year, and according to the Federal Bureau of Investigation in Charlotte, one-quarter of trafficked people end up in the Southeast.

In addition to I-85 and I-95’s presence in North Carolina, other causes facilitate human trafficking with the state.

“[Military presence] typically doesn’t want to talk about their contribution to trafficking, but we know wherever you’re going to have a base, there is going to be a demand for commercial sexual exploitation,” Lach said. “Wherever there is a demand, there is going to be trafficking.”

A large immigration population also plays a factor in trafficking.

“That kind of movement [rising immigration population] can facilitate trafficking,” Lach said. “There is a heavy link between migrant farm work and trafficking.”

The High Country hopes to raise awareness about this issue and educate students, community members and faculty about the brutality of this crime.

“It’s important when films like these are brought to the forefront to make light of these ugly things going on, it needs attention,” Rick D. Suyao, director of marketing for the performing center said. “[Human trafficking] is capitalizing on these young women that are basically defenseless. It’s not at fault to them, it’s just there are bad people out there.”

“Trade,” illustrates the journey of a 13-year-old girl who is kidnapped by sex traffickers and held hostage until there is an auction to find a buyer.

The girl is kidnapped in Mexico City and brought to the United States, forced into sexual slavery and her brother diligently tries to find and free her, Suyao said.

“The content is really…real,” Suyao said. “…it’s also very current because the Internet plays a part, the auction takes place online to find the highest bidder.”

Lach was the coordinator for Chapel Hill’s conference about sex trafficking held in March. This was the second conference UNC hosted concerning the issue.

Last school year, Chapel Hill showed “Trade” to cultivate response and action among students.

“If you can get [students] to the screening, that’s all it’s going to take,” Lach said. “People were stunned. They were shocked and crying…what’s great about the movie…it’s brutal, but it’s tasteful at the same time. It’s an incredibly powerful movie.”

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