2023 Twin Ports Human Trafficking Awareness Month

Episode Type: Professional

Host: Mel Alvar

Mel Alvar works as the Safe Harbor Regional Navigator for PAVSA (Program for Aid to Victims of Sexual Assault) in Duluth, Minnesota. Mel has a BAS in Public Health and has been doing community advocacy/education in the Twin Ports since 2004 and an advocate with PAVSA since 2013. As a Safe Harbor Regional Navigator, Mel is a point of contact for 5 counties and 3 tribal reservations in Northeast Minnesota for training, technical assistance, case consultation, referrals, and building capacity for walking alongside individuals/families impacted by commercial sexual exploitation and human trafficking.

Links for January 2023 Twin Ports Human Trafficking Awareness Events:

2023 Trafficking Awareness Events

Facebook and Instagram @DuluthMNTraffickingAwareness

Links for Mel Alvar:

• PAVSA
• Mel's Podcast
• Traveling Beads

Description:

Mel discusses the 2023 Trafficking Awareness Events in the Twin Ports of Minnesota and Wisconsin. Touching on what is human trafficking, ways communities can help support folks through the human approach, and learning the facts of human trafficking. 

People Waiting to Help in the United States:

• Emergency: 911
• National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-8255
• National Domestic Violence Hotline: Phone 1-800-799-SAFE (7233) Text “START” to 88788
• StrongHearts Native Helpline: 1-844-762-8483
• National Child Abuse Hotline: 1-800-422-4453
• Safe Helpline, Sexual Assault: 1-877-995-5247
• LGBTQ National Hotline: 1-888-843-4564
• National Runaway Safeline: 1-800-786-2929
• SAMHSA Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services: 1-800-662- HELP (4357)
• Crisis Text Line: Text 741741
• National Eating Disorder Association Helpline: 1-800-931-2237
• Veterans Crisis Line: Phone 1-800-273-8255 Text 838255

For more resources please visit The Trauma and Mental Health Report resource page https://trauma.blog.yorku.ca/resources/

Other Links Discussed in this Episode:

• Let's Talk About Body Boundaries
• Defend Young Minds
• Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs
• Fight Child Abuse YouTube
• Thorn Research

If you would like to share your story/professional experience in an episode please email us at: LauraDVRC@menaspeacemakers.org