Project Light grand opening brings officials and community together in fight against human trafficking – Salisbury Post

SALISBURY – “Human trafficking is one of the most pressing human rights issues of our time, and we should be proud that Rowan County is on the map to shed light on a dark situation,” said Dr. Anthony Davis, President of Livingstone College.

That was the prevailing message Tuesday at the grand opening of Project Light's new space at the Rowan Community Center, formerly known as West End Plaza or Salisbury Mall.

“I congratulate you and your volunteers and the people who have brought you this far. God bless you for what you are doing in attacking and addressing the demand aspect of this Trinidad, so to speak, by educating the public. I think a lot of us don't realize that someone you work with, someone you pass in the hallway, may be a victim of human trafficking. It is a situation that is insidious in its nature. But we are fortunate to have people who are motivated and called to work on this issue,” said State Representative Harry Warren.

Project Light, an organization that aims to raise awareness of and stop human trafficking in Rowan County, received a $1 annual lease from the county earlier this year to move from Rockwell to Salisbury. Since that lease was granted in March, the organization has been working to adapt the old Bath and Body Works to its needs.

“We (Senator Carl Ford) and (Representative Harry Warren) and others do ribbon cuttings all the time, but there are ribbon cuttings and then there are ribbon cuttings. I believe they are all appointed by God, but this one has such a great need today and is such a big part of this community. When you think about the community and the idea that when a need arises, there's just something in Rowan County for people to step into the gap and recognize the need,” said Greg Edds, chairman of the Rowan Board of Commissioners County.

The managing director of Project Light, Dr. Jim Duncan said Tuesday's event was the culmination of support from many different organizations and people for Project Light. Food was provided by Chick-Fil-A and The Hotdog Shack. Godley's Garden Center donated plants for decoration. The Rowan County Chamber of Commerce helped coordinate the ribbon cutting that concluded the event.

Davis announced during the event that Duncan would be awarded an honorary doctorate of humane letters from Livingstone College in recognition of his work in the community. He said he would work with Duncan and the university administration to decide whether the presentation would take place at the start of the fall or spring semester.

Duncan has previously said that one of the main benefits of the office move was the increased space. Last year the organization hired its first paid employee and since then the organization has grown to include three new paid employees, including new director Amy Young. He also cited the increased visibility of the move to the county seat, as well as moving into the same building where the Rowan County Health Department will move, as important aspects of the change.

North Carolina ranks in the top 10 nationally for human trafficking cases. The North Carolina Department of Administration reports that 260 human trafficking cases were reported in 2020 and 390 human trafficking victims received care from agencies across the state. However, the NCDOA notes that the actual number of cases and victims is likely much higher.

“This is such a serious problem that I don’t think many people realize it’s in their backyard. I see this every day in my work, so I know how important it is to have organizations like Project Light. (Duncan) and his staff work so hard to provide the education and awareness components that will really help prevent this. If we can prevent a child or woman from falling into this evil world, it can prevent so much trauma,” said Charlene Mooneyhan, a Department of Homeland Security official.

Duncan noted that a recent change in state law represents a major boost in the fight against human trafficking. House Bill 971 made soliciting a person for prostitution a felony for a first offense rather than a prior offense. The bill, which passed the House and Senate unanimously in June, also directed the Department of Labor to develop human trafficking awareness training and required lodging establishments, housing brokers and property managers to conduct awareness training. The bill was originally introduced by Rep. Kevin Crutchfield, with Warren later becoming a co-sponsor.

“Many things still have to happen in the coming days, weeks, months and years, and we just have to keep going, keep helping people like this and keep praying that the Lord will help us defeat this terrible thing of human trafficking.” It is a scourge and we must do everything we can to eradicate it,” said State Senator Carl Ford.