Rotary Club takes on human trafficking at conference

Posted By: Bayley Bischof Channel 8 Eyewitness News 

Human trafficking is a big problem in our state, Nebraska State Patrol Investigator Tony Cavan said.

"It is affecting people in our community here in Nebraska and we have to address it," Cavan said.

Investigator Cavan is part of a task force for human trafficking. He was the keynote speaker for the Nebraska Rotary Club’s annual conference.
 
"We have a heavy focus on human trafficking and empowering women," Tom Cardwell, with the Rotary Club said.

Long known for taking on service projects, more than 160 Rotarians came together Friday to find out how the Nebraska State Patrol is tackling human trafficking.

It’s a three pronged approach, that Cavan said starts with believing victims, not arresting them.

"We have to rescue human trafficking victims," Cavan said. We have to help them move toward being survivors. The second thing we have to do is stop traffickers. We have to put them in jail and see them prosecuted. We have to take away livelihood."

They also have to arrest the men buying sex with the women, reducing the market for the trafficker’s service, Cavan said. 

The goal of the conference, to show the Rotary Club members how they take action against human trafficking. They packed 400 hygiene bags for survivors, but Cardwell said that is only the beginning.

"We need to change the culture," Cardwell said. "Men are primarily driving the problem and it’s my hope that Rotarians can lead the way and set a better example."

The conference continues into tomorrow, with the focus of the events shifting to women’s empowerment.