Red sand ceremony in Tunkhannock honors victims of human trafficking

TUNKHANNOCK — The red sand ceremony at the Wyoming County Courthouse on Thursday honored the victims of human trafficking. The Red Sand Project, created in 2014 by artist Molly Gochman, features sand poured into the cracks of sidewalks and walkways to represent the victims and survivors of sex and labor trafficking who have fallen through the cracks of society. About 20 people, representing numerous child advocacy and social services organizations, took part in the ceremony, which was sponsored by the Victims Resource Center. Daicia Tompkins, a prevention education specialist at Victims Resource Center, said the ceremony helps to raise awareness of the dangers of human trafficking. The red sand provided a striking visual as hazy sunshine and dark clouds provided alternating light and shadow for the noontime event. District Attorney Joe Peters said the ceremony was “important in a lot of ways,” even though many people do not think of human trafficking as a serious concern in rural and less densely populated areas such as Wyoming County. Trafficking can be “hidden in plain sight” in seemingly peaceful neighborhoods in low-crime areas, Peters said. The internet and social media provide the opportunity for predators, often older men, to connect with victims, often younger girls, he said. Predators will often groom a juvenile victim, gain their trust and then ask for a nude photo of the victim, which gives the predator control through threatening to publicize the photo, Peters said. It is important to raise awareness in the community about sex and labor trafficking through events such as the red sand ceremony, the district attorney said. “We can’t arrest our way out of it,” he said.