Businesses, organizations collaborate to bring awareness to human trafficking

JACKSON, Tenn. — The Red Sand Projects across the globe continue Wednesday, including here locally.

For quite a few years now, the Jackson-Madison County Health Department has hosted a Red Sand Project. They do this in collaboration with the Scarlet Rope Project annually.

We spoke with Ashlee Allison, development director with the Scarlet Rope Project, about what they do.

“We house women survivors of sex trafficking in a residential home located here in West Tennessee. We serve women 18 and up, and we also provide resources for all others as well. We are a trauma-informed program so we really focus on the mental health aspect,” said Allison.

Over the past few years that Allison has seen this project done locally, she says there has been incredible growth.

“When we first started, we were just doing it at the health department. Then it kept growing over the years where [we said] ‘You know what, why don’t we get businesses to do it?’ They might not be able to make it out here, but what if the bring it to their own business,” said Allison.

Allison talks about why she thinks the growth has rapidly increased.

“The community is really diving into it this year. I think they’re really understanding that trafficking is real and it is here and they really want to do something about it. Even if it is pouring red sand to raise awareness. From that, to supporting all along different lines as well,” said Allison.

There were around 50 different businesses and organizations the took part in this event throughout the area Wednesday.

The City of Jackson and Madison County also collaborated for their own Red Sand Project earlier Wednesday.

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