On Louisiana Public Broadcasting Friday a documentary about human sex trafficking, Turning the Tide: A Story of Hell, Hope, and Healing profiles three survivors, along with First Lady Donna Edwards who’s helping raise awareness.
“I think there was a time when we were told growing up that certain things weren’t our business, and I say these children are absolutely, 100% our business,” said Edwards.
Edwards championed the cause after learning of an autistic woman who was held captive for a year in Amite.
“It’s hard to believe that this is happening in our own backyard, it’s hard to believe that this happens in a community that’s this small as ours,” said Edwards.
As First Lady, Edwards established the National Coalition for the Prevention of Human Sex Trafficking, along with other First Ladies. She also inspired her husband to establish The Office of Human Trafficking Prevention.
She said we all need to understand the harsh reality of what’s going on right here in Louisiana and how we can help.
“I think about the times, have I ignored signs? As a former teacher, I think how many kids in my classroom. I think about certain children and the way they acted,” said Edwards.
The program was produced, written, and narrated by WYES Emmy Award-winning journalist Karen Swensen and directed, photographed, and edited by Peabody Award-winning photojournalist Aaron Brownlee.
It airs December 15th on LPB at 8 PM, it’s also available to watch online (click here) and on LPB Passport. The documentary will air nationally in January.
The National Coalition for the Prevention of Human Sex Trafficking
The Louisiana The Office of Human Trafficking Prevention
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