Latest news with #LaurieMcGehee
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Yahoo
Advocates lead the fight against human trafficking in Shreveport
SHREVEPORT, La. (KTAL/KMSS) – Forget what you've seen in the movies, human trafficking doesn't always look like 'Taken.' It can look like a teenager at your child's school in your neighborhood. In most cases, children aren't kidnapped; they're groomed online, slowly and deliberately, until they no longer realize they're in danger. Tips for parents to protect children from human trafficking 'They're being promised things that are never going to happen. That's very attractive to a vulnerable child or a teen, and they think, 'Oh, this sounds great! I'm going to be a model, movie star, or singer,'' explains Laurie McGehee, Executive Director of FREE The Coalition to End Human Trafficking in NWLA. For many survivors, the trauma runs deeper than what's visible, it's not just physical abuse, but a psychological grip that can be nearly impossible to break. 'A lot of people who have been trafficked have been through incredible abuse, and not just physical abuse, but psychological abuse. Just the trauma that they've endured, and the coercion that has happened to them, where their trafficker actually has control over their minds and their bodies. One survivor told me it was like being in prison without the bars,' says McGehee. CPSO juvenile detective shares complexities of fighting human trafficking That kind of deep trauma doesn't disappear overnight, and that's where FREE comes in. They connect survivors with counseling, support, and resources to begin the long process of healing. 'The first thing we want to do is get an advocate in there, someone who is very experienced in talking to young people with trauma, so that we don't re-traumatize or re-victimize as we're talking with them and finding out what has happened,' McGehee explains. FREE doesn't just help survivors heal, they're working to stop trafficking before it starts. In partnership with Caddo Parish Schools, they now provide mandatory training to help teachers and staff recognize the red flags of exploitation. However, it's not just up to law enforcement or educators; every person has a role to play in spotting the warning signs and speaking up. 'Please call. We would rather you call and be wrong than do nothing, and you can always ask law enforcement for a child welfare check,' she says. Louisiana conference tackles human trafficking prevention If a child shows a sudden change in behavior, physical signs of abuse, or a lack of control over their life, don't ignore it. Know the signs and know who to call. If you'd like to learn more, the South-Central United States Human Trafficking Conference, put on by the FREE coalition, begins today at LSU-Shreveport. The two-day event will focus on networking, learning, and empowering the community to better prevent, identify, report, and respond to victims of human trafficking. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Yahoo
Louisiana conference tackles human trafficking prevention
SHREVEPORT, La. (KTAL/KMSS) – Human trafficking is an issue across the nation, but especially in Northwest Louisiana. Northwest Louisiana, in particular Caddo Parish, is the third highest in the state of Louisiana, according to the 2024 Louisiana Office of Human Trafficking Prevention Data report. WATCH: Beyond the Headline: Human Trafficking in Our Community The 2023 data shows that for all ages, the parishes with the highest number of origin locations were as follows: Unknown (239, 14%) Orleans (212, 12%) East Baton Rouge (206, 12%) Caddo (146, 8%) Jefferson (103, 6%) Calcasieu (90, 5%) Human trafficking is defined as 'the crime of using force, fraud, or coercion to compel a person into commercial sex acts or labor against his or her will.' And it happens here in our community. KTAL News Now had the opportunity to interview Laurie McGehee, the Executive Director of the FREE: The Coalition to End Human Trafficking in NW Louisiana. The FREE Coalition is dedicated to restoring and empowering victims and survivors, educating the community, and empowering its coalition members. The Coalition realized how vital it was to inform the community about human trafficking issues, misperception, resources, solutions, awareness, prevention, and support. So much so that they started a one-day workshop in 2015, and 10 years later, it has grown to a two-day conference. The 2025 South Central U.S. Human Trafficking Conference is approaching soon, and various breakout sessions are offered to anyone interested in attending. The conference is free to anyone interested in learning, networking, and understanding how to better prevent, identify, support, report, and respond to victims. Continuing education units (LPC-CEUs, Social work CEUs, Attorneys CLEs) are also available for attending the conference. Registration is free, and you can customize your agenda according to your interests. It's easy: download the WHOVA APP, search for the 2025 South Central U.S. Human Trafficking Conference, build your agenda, and attend the conference! For specific information about the human trafficking response in Louisiana or to find services for victims and survivors, please visit the Human Trafficking Prevention Resource Center of Louisiana To report suspected human trafficking activity: Contact the National Human Trafficking Hotline at 1 (888) 373-7888. Call the Louisiana State Police Hotline at 800-434-8007 or file a report of suspicious or criminal activity Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
07-05-2025
- Yahoo
Law enforcement honored during Salute the Badge Banquet
SHREVEPORT, La. (KTAL/KMSS)—Every Wednesday, KTAL Channel 6 highlights the heroic efforts and community engagement of law enforcement officers across ArkLaTex. On Tuesday, the annual Salute the Badge Banquet honored the men and women who protect and serve our local communities. The 9th annual banquet, held at Bally's Casino, featured guest speakers Smith County Sheriff Larry Smith and The Coalition to End Human Trafficking in NW Louisiana Director Laurie McGehee. Awards were presented, and dinner was served. Devarjaye 'DJ' Daniel was a special guest, and The Gingerbread House was honored as the charitable foundation recipient. More Salute the Badge KTAL General Manager Mark McKay said, ' It can be kind of sad that some people don't respect them the way that should they should be respected. These people leave their houses every day and their kids or their spouse or significant other, they might not see them again their out there doing their job keeping us safe.' Hororee Texarkana Arkansas Police PIO Kristen Schultz told us, 'A lot of the times officers they kinda don't really get recognized for the life-saving great things that they do, so being able to be at an event like this touches my heart not for but for everybody involved.' Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to
