Ring of Silence Free Movie Screening
Tuesday, February 8, 2022 at Hancock Central High School Auditorium
Reception at 5:30 p.m.; Movie Screening at 6:15 p.m., Question-and-Answer with Experts from 8 to 8:30 p.m.
"Children are target number one for traffickers. Show-up, bring your teens and watch how easy it is to become a target."
- Stephanie Graef, President of UPHTTF
"Human trafficking is a problem in our community just like many others in the state, country and world. Knowledge of what to look for is one of our best tools against it."
- Kevin Store, Executive Director at PHF
Their Targets Are Our Children
The human trafficking epidemic has victimized over 8,000 people in Michigan in the last decade alone. The victims are our daughters and sons, our students, our neighbors. Portage Health Foundation in partnership with the Upper Peninsula Human Trafficking Task Force (UPHTTF) says it is time we speak up louder than silence.
An open invite is extended to the public to watch a riveting new film about human trafficking titled, Ring of Silence. The event will take place at Hancock Central High School's auditorium on Tuesday, February 8, 2022, with a reception beginning at 5:30 p.m. The Ring of Silence is based on real events that happened to teens in a Michigan high school. The film’s director Nicole Bowers Wallace said that “it’s a film that everybody needs to see.”
This film is rated for PG-13 audiences so they can understand that the perpetrators look like attractive young men and women in their school, like the kid on Instagram or Snapchat, or even like the guy next door. A panel of local experts will be available for Q&A immediately after the film.
About Ring of Silence
The 2019 feature film “Ring of Silence” explores love, manipulation, betrayal and exploitation. It captures the essence of victims whether male or female, city or rural, race, sexual identity, economic wealth, and the seemingly uninformed adults that are supposed to protect them. It shows how this world happens right in front of our eyes, and how the signs are lost in everyday life. One scene takes place at a Christmas party, where people are enjoying the celebrations while trafficking is happening in other rooms. It is a metaphor for society: trafficking happens in our local schools, local sports events, local truck stops and yet most of us are unaware. Worst of all, our teens are unaware.
The film is directed by Nicole Bowers Wallace and features Ava Deluca-Verley, Brian J. O'Donnell, Brandon Butler and more.
Learn more about the movie at ringofsilence.com.
Characteristics of someone who may be a human trafficking victim
- Has coached/rehearsed responses to questions.
- Frequently runs away from home.
- Makes references to frequent travel to other cities.
- Shows signs of drug addiction.
- Exhibits bruises or other signs of physical trauma, withdrawn behavior, depression, anxiety, or fear.
- Demonstrates an inability to attend school on a regular basis and/or has unexplained absences.
- Lacks control over his or her schedule and/or identification or travel documents.
- Is hungry, malnourished, deprived of sleep, or inappropriately dressed (based on weather conditions or surroundings).
What should I do if I suspect human trafficking?
- Do not at any time attempt to confront a suspected trafficker directly or alert a victim to your suspicions.
- Call 911 for emergency situations – threats of violence, physical assault, emergency medical needs, etc.
- If you are a victim and need help or if you want to find support for a loved one, call or text the confidential 24/7 Upper Peninsula Human Trafficking Helpline at (906) 299-9243 or go to upht123.org
- Contact the National Human Trafficking Hotline. Call 1-888-373-7888 or text HELP or INFO to BeFree (233733).
Event Sponsors
Thanks to all of these organizations for making this possible.
