UCFR brings the Red Sand Project to UWSP Campus.

The University Council on Family Relations will host its first Red Sand Project human trafficking panel April 23 from 7 to 8 p.m. at the Dreyfus University Center Theater.

In the weeks before and after the panel, the UCFR will hand out Red Bags for students, faculty and the community to spread through the sidewalk cracks. 

The Red Sand Project, a statewide initiative launched in 2014, aims to raise awareness about the prevalence of sex trafficking in local communities. This is the first year the University Council on Family Relations has brought the project to the University of Wisconsin Stevens Point and plans to continue it in the future.

“Prior to that night, we are going to be spreading red sand all around campus in the sidewalk cracks to represent the people that have slipped through the cracks from human trafficking,” said UCFR Vice President Malerie Farrell.

Spreading of the red sand is to help illustrate people who are lost in the cracks due to human trafficking, and that even in Stevens Point, it’s not a distant issue. 

Jennifer Lyons, Marliyn Garcia, and Brianna Saxer will share their experiences with sex trafficking at the panel.

Jennifer Lyons is a shelter coordinator at Bridge to Hope and is also a survivor of sex trafficking. She will speak about her experience and personal perspective on trafficking, survivor support, and the need for community awareness. 

Brianna Saxer, the director of operations at Zeteo Community, will speak about her experience directing caring and helping survivors find a community.

Marilyn Garcia, an advocate and community leader with Selah Freedom, will address exploitation, prevention strategies and the importance of awareness on college campuses.

“I hope that students can understand that human trafficking itself is not this distant thing. Helping students recognize that this is a problem everywhere,” said UCFR President Malya Reed.

The Panel will also be accessible online on Zoom for those unable to attend. The UCFR will table over the coming weeks to hand out bags of sand, so students can spread it across campus. 

For more information, you can contact student staff on their spin page, https://spin.uwsp.edu/UCFR/rsvp_boot?id=386293.

Abigail Holmes

News Reporter

aholm452@uwsp.edu