When my editor asked if I could attend the Lake County Sex Trafficking Task Force’s annual Candlelight Vigil on January 9, my first thought was, “Has it really been a year already?” It felt like just yesterday that I attended the event, and the impact it left on me still resonates. Learning how close sex trafficking is to home has stuck with me over the past year.
The task force, led by Marlys Wisch, was established in 2013 and is powered by dedicated volunteers. Their mission, as stated on their website, is to “educate and engage communities in the importance of anti-human trafficking initiatives, local involvement, and how we can act today to protect people tomorrow.”
Their ultimate goal is to keep Lake County free from the exploitation of individuals for commercial sex and to advocate for victims seeking resources. The vigil is a cornerstone of these efforts.
“We hold this annual vigil to honor those who have died from being trafficked, those who are still in the life, and those who have been able to get out of the life and are rebuilding their lives and healing,” said Wisch.
The evening drew many concerned citizens, including Judge Hanke, Sheriff Nathan Stadler, and Commissioner Rich Sve. Sve, a steadfast supporter who has only missed one vigil since its inception, addressed the crowd with heartfelt remarks.
“I usually speak of statistics, or what new laws are being enacted, and sometimes about various organizations. This year, I have other thoughts,” Sve said. He recounted a human behavior experiment he had seen online, where actors staged dangerous situations and pretended to need help. In one scenario, a blind man struggled with steep stairs and was ignored by most passersby. Another staged a simulated kidnapping on a busy street, where a distraught mother cried out for help as her child was pulled away. A majority of people looked the other way.
Sve emphasized the importance of action. “That’s why we’re gathered here this evening. We all want to be those, all too few individuals, who step up and get involved. That do the kind thing, that do raise their hands, or their voices, for others. Those who ignore those first inconveniences and do what we hope others would do for us if we were in that situation.”
Mel Alvar, a Safe Harbor Northeast Minnesota Regional Navigator with PAVSA (Program for Aid to Victims of Sexual Assault), also spoke. Alvar highlighted the importance of awareness and education in combating trafficking, especially online safety for youth. A recent initiative reached 590 area students from 8th through 12th grade with online safety education, addressing the 300% increase in online enticement cases from 2021 to 2023.
Lake County Attorney Lara Nygaard echoed these concerns, urging parents to monitor their children’s online activities closely. “As long as I’m paying the bill, that’s the case,” she said, sharing her own approach to parental oversight.
Nygaard highlighted the need for open communication. “It’s a different world than what we all grew up in. It’s something we have to be mindful of and help our children navigate it, too, because it’s the world that they live in. We have to create those safe spaces for them to have those communications with their friends and those relationships while still being able to keep them safe and for them to come talk to us. They shouldn’t fear coming to us to tell us about scary communications.”
For such a solemn cause, the vigil left me feeling hopeful. It was heartening to see so many committed to making a difference.
“There is despair in the world, but there is also hope,” Wisch concluded. “We want to raise hope and end this. Shine a light and join us in this fight.”
To learn more about the Lake County Sex Trafficking Task Force, visit lcsex-trafficking. com. Volunteers and donations are always needed and appreciated. For immediate assistance, North Shore Horizons offers a 24/7 helpline at 218-834-5929, and PAVSA provides support at 218-726- 1931.
