Montana News

Woman aims to raise awareness of "sex slave" issue

Posted: Mar 16, 2013 7:15 PM by Lindsey Gordon - MTN News
Updated: Mar 16, 2013 7:28 PM

Government agencies estimate there are tens of thousands of children sold as sex slaves in the United States.

Melissa Woodward, the founder of the organization "For The Sake Of One," visited Montana to talk to a group about her experience as a former sex slave and how to recognize if it's happening where you live.

After her experiences, she aims to raise awareness about sex trafficking in America.

She works to train law enforcement about how to spot a child that may have been sold into prostitution and she also works with them to help find and rescue these trafficking victims.

Woodward said, "You want to kind of see what a girl looks like - you know, does she have physical markings on her? Tattoos that are often visible, burn marks are huge, things like wearing very provocative clothes, especially up here in Montana."

Melissa says that it does happen here in Montana, and says there has been an increase in the number of girls taken to eastern Montana since the Bakken oil boom.

Melissa hopes to help train law enforcement in our state so they can crack down on children being bought and sold into prostitution.

Click here to learn more about the organization and the issue.