HANCEVILLE, Ala. – The Cullman Eagle Forum is hosting an event with the Cullman County Human Trafficking Task Force Monday, Feb. 24, at 6 p.m. at the Hanceville Housing Authority.
The event, titled, “ Protecting Our Children: The Dangers of Pornography & Its Connection to Sex Trafficking,” will feature speakers Sher Harbin, chairperson of the task force; and Licensed Professional Counselor Melea Stephens.
“This is a first for us,” Harbin said. “We were invited by Eagle Forum. However, we have an annual informational booth at the Safe Kids Expo at Sportsman Lake, an annual informational booth at the fair, and each December we meet with the mayors and commissioners where they sign proclamations declaring their commitment to fighting human trafficking.”
Cullman Mayor Woody Jacobs signed a proclamation for the city on Jan.11, which is National Human Trafficking Awareness Day, at Karma’s Coffee House.
“That day is both an informational day and a fundraiser, and Karma’s graciously does a roundup for the entire month for us,” Harbin said. “In May 2024 we held a networking meeting at the sheriff’s department with agencies from across the state with guest speakers from Homeland Security and the Alabama AG’s office.”
Harbin said the task force also has quarterly meetings in District Judge Chad Floyd’s courtroom.
“Our next meeting is April 9, and we encourage the public to join us and get involved,” she said. “Myself and other members have sent out hundreds of emails/texts to ‘interested’ persons who have signed up at our events, but unfortunately very few actually show up.” That meeting will take place at noon.
Harbin said the task force absolutely welcomes donations because they have no funding to purchase supplies.
“The county commission has been a wonderful resource, but they can only do so much,” she said. “We are currently working on a flyer project to teach the public and victims the sign language for ‘human trafficking.’ This enables a victim to make a silent cry for help and spur a bystander to make a phone call/ take action to get them help! The flyers need to be heavily laminated because they will be going in public restrooms, and that is expensive. Myself and another member made the rounds to town councils late this summer and only got support from two. So any financial support is welcome and very much appreciated.”
Harbin said public discussions like the one coming up in Hanceville are vital for prevention.
“The more parents know about the way these predators get to their children the better they can protect them,” she said. “We want the public to learn the red flags and to trust their gut instinct when they feel something isn’t right. Also, what to do about it. Never take things into your own hands; that is what law enforcement is for. But try to gather as much information as possible: description of the people involved, of a vehicle and a tag number if possible and pictures, but never approach a suspect. Call the police and provide as much information as possible and let them handle it.”
The Hanceville Housing Authority is located at 819 Kiki Drive in Hanceville. For more information, contact Kim Dimmock at 205-568-9665.
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