Transcription for “Human trafficking concerns addressed at conference at UofL” 

From WLKY, January 17, 2013

(Rick Van Hoose – Reporter): “It's called modern-day slavery, and experts say it's happening across the United States, including here in Kentucky.”

(Vicki Dortch – Reporter): “Human trafficking is becoming a growing issue and it was the focus of a conference held at UofL earlier tonight. WLKY’s Daniel Kemp was there. He joins us live from campus with the story. Daniel.”

(Daniel Kemp – On Campus): “Yeah guys, human trafficking, of course, involves people making money off the exploitation of others. It can include sex, and, often times, the victims are women and children. It’s also a problem that got some attention here tonight. Inside the Red Barn on UofL’s campus Wednesday night, survivors, like Toshia Kimbler, shared personal stories of modern day slavery.”

(Toshia Kimbler – Human Trafficking Survivor): “When I was 16 years old, there was a couple in my neighborhood, and I'm not sure what they said to me that sold me to the idea, but before I knew it, I was being sold on Craigslist.” 

(Daniel Kemp): “It’s an experience that’s led Kimbler to travel the country raising awareness about human trafficking.”

(Toshia Kimbler): “Trafficking is the exploitation of vulnerability in any situation. It’s exploitation of vulnerability of sexual abuse, exploitation of vulnerability of economic dysfunction, and as a child I experienced both.”

(Emma Chapman – Women 4 Women Student Chapter): “Human trafficking is a rampant problem. It is often called modern day slavery because it truly is slavery.”

(Daniel Kemp): “Women 4 Women Student Chapter President Emma Chapman organized the event that brought a crowd – eager – to learn about what’s being called one of the largest and fastest growing crimes.”

(Emma Chapman): “A lot of times, people will say, ‘ok, this happens in Eastern Europe or Southeast Asia, but not here,’ when the actual truth is that it does happen in this country. Louisville is a hub of human trafficking, and it could be happening, very literally, in your own back yard.”

(Daniel Kemp): “According to the U.S. Department of Justice, federally funded task forces opened more than 2500 suspected incidences of human trafficking in the U.S. between January 2008 and 2010, and the Rescue and Restore Project says 91 cases have been identified in Kentucky. But, the problem is suspected to be even bigger.”

(Emma Chapman): “At any given point in time, 2.5million people are being trafficked around the world – about 1 million of which are children.”

(Daniel Kemp): “And that’s why organizers here say raising awareness is a start to help stop it.”

(Toshia Kimbler): “It feels amazing to actually be able to do something – to give something back – and, to be able to make a difference and make sure this doesn’t happen to other children.”

(Daniel Kemp): “Now many of these events – many of these incidents – were told often happens inside motels and message parlous, especially during major sporting events. According to the Rescue and Restore Project there have been fifteen state and two federal indictments in Kentucky on human trafficking. Live on UofL’s campus, tonight, I’m Daniel Kemp of WLKY news.”

Source: http://www.wlky.com/news/local-news/louisville-news/Human-trafficking-concerns-addressed-at-conference-at-UofL/-/9718340/18161214/-/gbfybiz/-/index.html

Transcribed by Stephanie N. Parks, September 4, 2013