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Group marches to raise awareness of human trafficking

DIXON -- Members of Save61 wanted to send a clear message Saturday morning.

The group walked through Dixon in an effort to raise awareness of human trafficking, holding a walk-a-thon through Dixon from the Ronald Reagan statue while holding signs to call for an end to trafficking.

"We've been learning more about sex trafficking and want to make it know to people that it is going on in our town," Dixon resident Sandie Copeland said. "You think it's not going to happen here, but it does."

The walk drew about two dozen marchers of all ages, drawing honks and waves from some who drove past.

"We're trying to bring awareness of trafficking and that it's possible here," Joanna Glenn said. "I think a lot of times we think human trafficking only happens in other areas, but we're trying to get the message across that it even happens here."

Glenn said she is particularly hoping parents hear the message that trafficking can happen anywhere, and can be vigilant.

"I hope that parents will be able to keep their children sage by watching what they're doing online and how they're interacting with others online," Glenn said. "A lot of times kids get involved, young ladies, even young boys, they get involved in trafficking because they're enticed by somebody online."

One of the major focuses of the Save61 movement in the near future will be to put up a billboard. They are raising money to help pay for it, and hope that billboard will be able to help spread the word.

Members of the group have also kept up with things like what the state legislature has been doing to try to crack down on trafficking.

"We do try to keep up on that and push forward on things and put out information on things that are good," Corrie Miller said. "Illinois has pretty good laws as far as those things go, but there's always room for improvement."