Sometimes it takes just one moment to change a life. One stop from a busy life


to help someone in need. One moment to listen. One mo- ment to give hope. Those involved with the local nonprofit organization Into the Light have their own stories, their own moments that brought them together to help underage survivors of sex trafficking. “A lot of times, people see


sex trafficking as a victimless crime, as something unfortu- nate,” said Gretchen Smeltzer of Mountain Home, director of Into the Light. “It would not exist if our culture would acknowledge they are not OK with people being a commod- ity.”


Since the organization launched its advocacy pro- gram in October 2017, it has identified and advocated for 25 victims in northwest and


north central Arkansas, the primary area it serves. The organization, which gained nonprofit status in April 2015, has offices in Mountain Home and Fayetteville. The backgrounds of survi-


vors are often similar. They may have run away from home or foster care, fleeing an abusive situation. They met a “boyfriend” on social media, who promised to take care of them. They want to feel safe. Instead, the person threatens them, giving them food and a place to stay. Be- lieving there is not a way out, and not knowing what healthy relationships look like, they stay. “Right now, there are 14-


and 15-year-olds sitting in jail with prostitution charges,” Smeltzer said. In Arkansas, a minor can be charged with prostitution, but at a federal level, only adults can face


One in 7 endangered runaways reported to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children in 2017 were likely sex trafficking victims, and 88 percent of those likely victims were in the care of social services or foster care when they went missing.


Source: National Center for Missing and Exploited Children


those charges, she said. “We believe it is coerced, forced, and they feel like they have no other option,” she said.


Collaborative approach One of the organization’s


main responsibilities is pre- venting the sex trafficking of minors through education and training.


Organization advocates


and trainers speak weekly to those in law enforcement, ju- venile services, social ser- vices, residential providers, emergency services, schools, community organizations


and churches, helping per- sonnel understand the issue and spot the signs of traffick- ing. “A lot of people face this in their field and don’t under- stand what’s happening,” Smeltzer said. They also work to educate


parents through community awareness presentations and volunteer trainings on the dangers of social media and the apps traffickers use. Another key component of the organization is identify- ing underage sex trafficking survivors and advocating for them.


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