Running human trafficking out of Southwest Florida is the goal of a 5K, which is just over a three-mile race, happening at the Centurylink Sports Complex in Fort Myers.
The event acknowledges National Slavery and Human Trafficking Prevention Month. It is the first annual race. The race will be held from 7 a.m. to 9 a.m. Proceeds will go directly to preventing the spread of human trafficking and protecting victims locally.
“A lot of times, they are addicted to drugs,” Jenn Barth, of the Ryan Hope House, said about the challenges to treating a victim to human trafficking. “They have to help with substance abuse. No clothes, no money, not food – a lot of times they have malnutrition.”
“To come back from something that is traumatic is not an overnight ordeal, it takes years,” said Lynn Brewer, donor relations for Florida Coalition Against Human Trafficking. “We have medical help; we have psychological help.”
Prices for the event are $35 for adults, $20 for students, $20 for virtual participants, and kids 10-years-old or younger are free.