Sand art exhibit to raise awareness of human trafficking Saturday in Hampton

HAMPTON, Va. – Human trafficking is often thought of as an invisible problem, but it happens everywhere, including Hampton Roads.

On Saturday, the Hampton Main Library and the Charles H. Taylor Visual Arts Center are hosting an event to raise awareness about the issue.

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“It affects people all over the world, about 50 million people are in forced labor, it affects every industry,” said Rita Scrivener, a librarian at Hampton.

According to the National Human Trafficking Hotline, human trafficking is typically labor or sex-related. In the case of labor trafficking, signs may include living and working in isolated and dangerous conditions, and the person not having control of their identification documents.

In the case of sex trafficking, signs may include being pressured into commercial sex, and having a pimp or manager monitor the person's whereabouts, spending, and communications.

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“It’s us, it’s our neighbors, it’s people we could see anywhere, and the more we’re aware of that, the more we can collectively help,” Scrivener said.

The Red Sand Project is a form of public art, where people pour red sand into sidewalk cracks to signify that the community is coming together to ensure that victims of human trafficking do not go unnoticed.

The Library and Visual Arts Center is hosting a Red Sand event on Saturday afternoon.

“It’s a really tiny envelope, so no one person can do much on their own, but together we can do a lot, so I think the main takeaway for me is what can be accomplished when we all do something together,” Scrivener said.

The event will take place at the Hampton Main Library from 1:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. on July 6.