By Renee Larr

At 10 a.m. on Oct. 17, a local group partnering with the A21 Campaign will host a walk to bring awareness to human sex trafficking. A21 is a non-profit organization that works to end sex trafficking throughout the world. The walk also takes place in cities across the world at the same time. Fishers resident, Julia Rayner, works with A21 in Fishers.

“We’re partnering with the A21 campaign. It’s a global, anti-human trafficking organization. It’s a second annual walk, so people from all over the world are walking this day to help raise awareness for sex trafficking. A21 has four strategies to their organization. Prevention-awareness and education. Protection – they have shelters and transitioning homes for women of sex trafficking. Prosecution – the legal response part. Partnership – partnering with the local police, government and community,” said Rayner.

The walk is free but people can register and donate if they would like. One hundred percent of the money goes toward A21 and their campaign to end human trafficking. Rayner said these types of things are becoming more prevalent in local areas.

“The average age of trafficking victims is 12 years old and it’s so sad. Only 1 to 2 percent of the victims are ever rescued. Sadly, we’re seeing more and more of these articles every day. It’s out there everywhere. Girls are lured by promises of modeling jobs. At first they buy them nice things. They get the girls to come with them, and they don’t return. Word is getting out, though,” said Rayner.

The walk begins at Peterson’s in Fishers and moves down 96th St. toward Allisonville Rd.

“We wear all black. We walk in a single file line. It’s just fueling the fight for freedom around the world. There were 17 different countries around the world participating last year. This year it will be even bigger,” said Rayner.

For more information, visit a21.org.