On a sunny Saturday in Federal Way more than 1,000 people took steps to shine light on an issue often kept in the dark. The Coalition Against Trafficking planned the Break the Chains of Human Trafficking 5K event outside the Commons Mall.
“Human trafficking is an invisible issue,” said Sasha Summer Cousinuea, who helped plan Saturday’s event.
The organization said it’s the largest human trafficking awareness event in Washington. The event raised nearly $50,000.
“In Washington State, we’ve had more than 500 survivors from more than 50 different counties who have connected with services. Those are people who are defined by law as trafficking survivors,” said Robert Beiser, the Executive Director for The Federal Way Coalition Against Trafficking.
Beiser said Breaking the Chains 5K involved an entire community.
“It has to be a thing where everyone comes together all the time to make a different,” said Beiser.
He added that events like Saturday’s 5K show victims that there is help, and that someone is willing to listen.
“Seeing all the different pieces of families, community organization and faith groups coming out and saying, ‘We’re going to do something to stop human trafficking this next year,’ it’s inspiring,” said Beiser.