The group began with three women, described as “ordinary housewives” by Vice-President Renee Pikula, who learned about the problem of human trafficking in Minnesota and decided to do something about it.  The leadership now includes President Marie Keener, a co-founder with Pikula, Secretary Debbie Hackbarth and Treasurer Scott Roth.

 

The focus of the group is on finding relief for homeless teens and kids even younger, who are often the most vulnerable to human trafficking recruiters, Pikula said.  DFI works with law enforcement, social services, churches, schools and private citizens in an effort to find safe locations for youth who are caught up in the sex trade, or at risk of being so..

 

Pikula said the group was amazed at the number of homeless youth in the St. Cloud area when they first began to learn about the problem of sex trafficking.  As metropolitan police and social service agencies have become more alert to the signs of trafficking on the streets, the problem has begun to move into the smaller towns and rural areas where law enforcement and social services may not be as aware of the signs as their urban counterparts.

 

DFI now supports and partners with the Minnesota Human Trafficking Task Force and their Prevention Committee, Anoka County Human Trafficking Task Force Dept. and the Anoka County Compassion action Network, and has been in contact and done training with other law enforcement agencies, including Sherburne and Wright counties, Pikula said.

 

Freedom Ink is a service offered by DFI that provides removal or covering of a brand or tattoo using laser procedures performed by their partners in the medical and tattoo industries.  Victims of sex trafficking are often branded or tattooed, and DFI offers the Freedom Ink treatments as a “service for healing for survivors of human trafficking.”  The website is: www.freedomink.webs.com

 

 

The tattoo convention will have some Becker connections as well.  The daily schedule includes an appearance by tattoo artist Joshua Baker from Modify Tattoo & Piercing in Becker, and Angie Cairl, who formerly operated the Becker Pet Supply store, will be on hand with her popular reptile booth as part of the scheduled entertainment.

 

Displays are also planned from Wicked Jester Clothing in Sauk Rapids, Scotty Munster, Old Town Tattoos in St. Cloud, SCAR Dolls (entertainment), face painting and temporary tattoos at Cindy’s Creative Celebrations, Jack Sparrow (entertainment), Anna Marie’s Alliance (emergency shelter for women and children) and the Central Minnesota Sexual Assault Center from St. Cloud.

 

Organizers are asking for a $10 donation at the door to help fund the Freedom Ink project and other DFI operations.  Donation of a canned food item qualifies for door prizes at the event.

 

River’s Edge Convention Center is located at 10 Fourth Ave. South in St. Cloud, MN, with most events taking place in Glen Carlson Hall.