Pathways Project brings education and awareness to protecting children

A friend request. A message. A conversation with someone who seems to understand.

For children growing up in an increasingly digital world, something that begins that simply can open the door to grooming and exploitation.

The Pathways Project is focusing on prevention this fall with three community events designed to help parents, caregivers, educators and community members better understand sex trafficking, online exploitation and ways to help protect children.

Founder and Executive Director Veloris Juneman said sex trafficking is not just a big-city problem and does not always look like what people may see portrayed in movies. It can happen in rural communities, often hidden in plain sight.

Juneman said exploitation today can begin with something as simple as an online message, friend request or conversation. Traffickers and predators can use social media, gaming platforms and other digital spaces to identify vulnerabilities, build trust, groom, manipulate and exploit young people.

“Awareness is prevention,” Juneman said. “When parents and communities understand how grooming happens, we are better equipped to recognize the warning signs and protect our kids.”

The Pathways Project’s mission is to educate the community about sex trafficking, protect and support vulnerable children and empower survivors as they begin their journey toward healing, offering hope, advocacy and care through the Pathways to Hope Advocacy Center.

For Juneman, the upcoming programs can be summed up simply: three events, one goal, protecting kids.

The Pathways Project is partnering with Branson Schools and First Baptist Church of Kimberling City to provide educational opportunities for families and the community, along with the organization’s quarterly educational meeting.

The first, “Let’s Talk About It: Raising Digital Kids: A Community Conversation,” will be held Sunday, Sept. 13, from 4:30 to 7 p.m. at First Baptist Church of Kimberling City, 161 Heaven’s Way.

The event will feature Brad and Kari Boettler of Evan’s Voice, who will share the story of their son, Evan, and their work to raise awareness about online exploitation and sextortion. The presentation will focus on social media safety and helping families navigate today’s digital world.

The evening will include a free meal, resource fair and raffle giveaway. The program is geared toward parents, grandparents, educators and caregivers, and all ages are welcome.

The Pathways Project will continue its educational outreach Tuesday, Sept. 15, with its quarterly educational meeting from noon to 1 p.m. at the Stone County Health Department, 701 Old Wilderness Road.

Guests from Safe House Project and the Missouri Attorney General’s Office will participate in a program focused on identifying and reporting human trafficking. Safe House Project will present its “A Way Out” mini documentary.

Diana Haines, director of anti-trafficking operations for the Missouri Attorney General’s Office, will discuss the office’s partnership with Safe House Project and the Simply Report app. The reporting tool provides a way for people to report concerning activity that could involve human trafficking.

The quarterly meeting is open to the public. Organizers are asking those planning to attend to RSVP to help with planning.

A third educational opportunity, “Keeping Kids Safe Online,” is scheduled for Tuesday, Oct. 13, at Branson High School.

The social media safety event will feature Russ Tuttle, founder and president of The Stop Trafficking Project. The program will focus on helping parents understand how social media can place children at risk for grooming and exploitation, recognize warning signs and learn practical strategies for helping children stay safer online.

The event is presented by The Pathways Project in partnership with Branson Schools and made possible through a grant from the Skaggs Foundation.

Additional details, including the event time, will be announced closer to the event.

Juneman said the three events provide opportunities for community members to learn, ask questions and begin important conversations with their children about online safety.

“The online world is part of their world,” Juneman said. “Together, we can learn how to help them navigate it safely.”

Schools, churches, civic groups and other organizations interested in learning more about human trafficking awareness and prevention or educational opportunities can contact The Pathways Project.

For more information about The Pathways Project, upcoming events or educational opportunities, visit pathwaysprojectmo.org or email contact@pathwaysprojectmo.org.