Sex Trafficking on the Rise and ‘Fill the Shelves’ Event Helps Victims

I wanted to write about the human trafficking epidemic because something is happening here to benefit victims but to more importantly call attention to something that Idaho's problem too. Human trafficking does happen in Boise.

It might be hard to grasp the fact people sell each other for money underground. It happens. Sex trafficking happens in our sweet Treasure Valley. Over my 13 years of working with the Idaho Coalition Against Sexual and Domestic violence, I've learned a lot. Sex trafficking is real and could be at your doorstep.

There is a "Fill the Shelves" event that will accept donations for the victims of sex trafficking right here in the Treasure Valley. A company I just recently heard about called, "Microbe Formulas" are doing something for local victims and need our help.

Microbe Formulas is looking for the following items

• Toothbrushes and toothpaste
• Deodorant
• Shoes
• Socks
• Non-perishable food items
• Shampoo
• Conditioner
• Cash donations

In a recent KTVB article, the CEO of Microbe Formulas, Ryan Riley had this to say.

Families are selling their own children, foster parents are selling their foster children, husbands are selling their wives, it's absolutely heartbreaking what's going on.

Idaho almost doubled the number of cases in 2018 from the prior year. Idaho News 6 recently wrote an article on the rise regarding sex trafficking including some great warning signs. I've sourced the two news channels that wrote on these topics because it's that important. These are local and factual information from our Idaho teams. Sex trafficking could be happening in your neighborhood and sadly could impact your children. If you want to help these victims I'm listing all the details below.

• Fill the Shelves
• August 31 - September 5
• 7 a.m. - 6 p.m.
• 3750 East Pewter Falls, Suite 100
• Meridian, Id 83642