By CRISTINA JANNEY 

Hays Post

A speaker will be in Hays next week to give presentations to both students and parents about the dangers of human trafficking and what role social media plays in drawing youth into the sex trade.

In his BeAlert program, Russ Tuttle notes human trafficking is not something that just happens in the third world.

At least 100,000 children in America are taken of advantage of in the sex industry each year. Three of four of those young victims are trafficked online.

Tuttle is bringing awareness to the crisis of human trafficking through The Stop Trafficking Project, which includes serving as the director for BeAlert and as a founding board member for Kansas City Street Hope, according to Tuttle’s website.

BeAlert is the awareness and prevention strategy of The Stop Trafficking Project. The primary method of implementation is through presentations designed to 1) educate and empower students and 2) guide adults from awareness to action.

A commitment to collaborate allows for presentations that provide insight into the problem of domestic minor sex trafficking and at the same time offer effective solutions, Tuttle said on his website.

Mary Ann Shorman, who retired last year from her job as a school nurse after 29 years with USD 489, saw Tuttle speak at a School Nurse Association meeting.

“It is unsettling information, but so very important for our community parents and our young people to hear,” Shorman said. “I am so happy USD 489 was able to get him to come to Hays, and I hope people will come to hear what he has to say.”

Tuttle is presenting “Caring Adults” from 5:30 to 7 p.m. Tuesday at the HHS Gym A. 

He will speak to students during assemblies from 8:10 to 9 a.m. at Hays Middle School and from 10:58 to 11:58 a.m. at Hays High School Wednesday.

Tuttle, who has 29 years of experience in non-profits, grew up for much of his childhood and teenage years in India, and he said this created within him the drive to serve those who are unable to help themselves.