Rotary Voices Podcast Summary
Title: Safe Passage: Rotarians Fight Sex Trafficking
Host/Author: Rotary Magazine
Release Date: May 16, 2025
Duration: Approximately 50 minutes
Available at: Rotary.org
Introduction
The Rotary Voices podcast episode titled "Safe Passage: Rotarians Fight Sex Trafficking" delves into the harrowing issue of sex trafficking and its impact on communities. Hosted by Naila Boudu, the episode features in-depth conversations with Erin Gardner, Virginia McKenzie, and Christine Moreland—three dedicated members of the Rotary Club of the Pacific Northwest who are actively combating sex trafficking in their Seattle neighborhood.
Erin Gardner’s Story: From Journalist to Advocate
Relocating to Seattle
Erin Gardner, a former Chicago journalist, moved to Seattle in 2022 with her husband, seeking a career change and a passion for the outdoors. Initially, their new neighborhood, bordering Aurora Avenue North, seemed ideal based on low crime statistics and a welcoming environment. However, this perception was soon shattered.
"[...] we landed on the house that we have now, and it's great. And we checked crime statistics and did everything else that a journalist would do."
— Erin Gardner [02:53]
Rise in Local Crime and Sex Trafficking
Shortly after settling in, Erin noticed an influx of luxury cars and suspicious activities in the area. The closure of two hotels on Evora Avenue for facilitating prostitution led to these illicit activities migrating into residential neighborhoods. This shift was accompanied by increasing violence, including shootings that terrorized the community.
"There had been sort of intermittent shootings along Aurora for months. One night I woke up, I thought it was firecrackers because it was early July. And it turns out there had been a massive shooting just two blocks from my home."
— Erin Gardner [06:05]
Engaging with the Community and Rotary
Concerned for her community, Erin took action by joining neighborhood volunteer groups dedicated to addressing trafficking. Her reporting on this issue for Rotary magazine highlighted the efforts and challenges faced by local Rotarians in supporting survivors.
"I started researching and went down all kinds of rabbit holes."
— Erin Gardner [05:30]
Rotary Club’s Involvement: Virginia McKenzie’s Leadership
Founding the Club
Virginia McKenzie, charter president of the Rotary Club of the Pacific Northwest, was inspired to take action after attending a Rotary meeting where the prevalence of sex trafficking in Seattle was starkly revealed.
"Every town doesn't want to believe that it's happening in their own town."
— Virginia McKenzie [19:54]
Educational Initiatives and Community Training
Under Virginia’s leadership, the club has undertaken significant projects, including training over 1,000 firefighters, EMTs, and healthcare workers to recognize and respond to signs of trafficking. They also collaborate with organizations like Three Strands Global Foundation to implement educational programs in schools, aiming to prevent trafficking by empowering students and educators.
"Education is a low cost, high impact intervention. This is calling on the best of Rotary."
— Virginia McKenzie [27:42]
Challenges Faced
Virginia emphasizes the emotional toll of combating trafficking, highlighting the importance of addressing secondary trauma among volunteers and maintaining focus on local issues to effectively protect their community.
"One of the obstacles and challenges is the second degree trauma that we as helpers experience by taking the time to understand this issue."
— Virginia McKenzie [28:27]
Christine Moreland’s Advocacy: From Survivor to Supporter
Personal Encounter with Trafficking
Christine Moreland shares a poignant story from her past that ignited her passion for helping trafficking survivors. Twenty years ago, she responded to an emergency call from a homeless encampment, rescuing a severely abused woman. This experience marked the beginning of her lifelong commitment to advocacy.
"One night about 20 years ago, Christine Moreland and a group of Volunteers walked through a homeless encampment... she was covered in bruises."
— Naila Boudu [34:01]
Founding "More We Love"
In 2024, driven by personal experiences and inspired by survivors like Sarah Ann Hamilton, Christine founded the nonprofit organization "More We Love." Her mission focuses on creating pathways out of homelessness, addiction, and especially trafficking and domestic violence.
"We created the More We Love. And it is now our mission to go out and be people's constants."
— Christine Moreland [42:22]
Daily Operations and Support Systems
Christine details the daily operations of her nonprofit, which includes providing emergency safe housing, emotional support, and comprehensive pathways for survivors to rebuild their lives. Her work involves close collaboration with law enforcement to ensure the safety and legal support for survivors.
"Each woman's story is very unique, and so we're very, very mindful from the moment we take that emergency call all the way through on how we support each side."
— Christine Moreland [36:39]
Emotional and Physical Demands
Christine candidly discusses the emotional challenges of her role, including dealing with second-hand trauma and the constant vigilance required to support survivors effectively.
"It's very, very hard. When a survivor comes into our space, I hug them immediately."
— Christine Moreland [44:50]
Collective Efforts and Community Impact
Collaborative Strategies
The collaboration between Erin Gardner, Virginia McKenzie, and Christine Moreland exemplifies a multifaceted approach to combating sex trafficking. Their combined efforts in journalism, community organizing, education, and direct support create a robust support system for survivors and contribute to lowering trafficking incidents in Seattle.
Shifting Law Enforcement Focus
Erin highlights a crucial shift in law enforcement strategies—from targeting individuals involved in prostitution to focusing on the demand side by targeting sex buyers and traffickers. This strategic change is pivotal in reducing trafficking activities, although challenges like understaffed police departments persist.
"During COVID what shifted is that there weren't enough police to crack down. And that's when we really saw the pimps moving in and the sex traffickers moving in."
— Erin Gardner [12:53]
Successes and Ongoing Challenges
While there has been a notable decrease in violence due to intensified police actions, incidents like the midday shooting involving a Maserati demonstrate the persistent boldness of traffickers. The community remains vigilant, with ongoing efforts to support survivors and prevent future trafficking.
"But there's still a boldness out there where people think that they can come into the area and not face consequences."
— Erin Gardner [15:09]
Call to Action and Conclusion
Empowering Rotarians and the Community
Virginia McKenzie and Christine Moreland urge Rotarians and community members to actively participate in combating sex trafficking. They emphasize the importance of education, supporting local initiatives, and leveraging individual skills to aid survivors.
"What can we do? [...] How can we link arms with my fellow Rotarians and prevent that problem from happening?"
— Virginia McKenzie [30:58]
Support Resources
Listeners are encouraged to visit rotary.org for more information and to support efforts against trafficking. Additionally, the National Human Trafficking Hotline offers resources for those in need:
- US: 1-888-373-7888
- Canada: 1-833-900-1010
- Website: humantraffickinghotline.org
Final Thoughts
The episode underscores the critical role of Rotary Clubs in addressing societal issues like sex trafficking through community engagement, education, and direct support. By sharing personal stories and actionable steps, the podcast not only raises awareness but also mobilizes listeners to contribute to meaningful change.
Notable Quotes:
-
“The average age of girls when they are first pulled into this sex trafficking is 14, 14 years old.”
— Erin Gardner [09:35] -
“Education is a low cost, high impact intervention. This is calling on the best of Rotary.”
— Virginia McKenzie [27:42] -
“When a survivor comes into our space, I hug them immediately.”
— Christine Moreland [44:50]
Production Credits:
- Produced by: JP Swenson
- Edited by: Wen Huang
- Production Manager: Joe Desau
- Music by: Yoo Soo Kim
Closing Note: If you found this episode impactful, please rate it five stars on Apple Podcast and Spotify, and share it with your network to help combat the crisis of sex trafficking through community action and support.