January is Human Trafficking Awareness Month and 98.5 KTIS was fearless in shining the light on human trafficking. On January 16 artist Natalie Grant and KTIS Program Director/Mornings Keith Stevens hosted a first-of-its-kind, 2-hour live broadcast focusing on the horrors of sex trafficking in MN and beyond.
Local experts, survivors and police detectives joined the conversation encouraging listeners to help end slavery in their communities and teaching them to identify signs of harmful behavior. Phone counselors shared advice with men who were struggling with pornography and women who recognized they were in danger.
The following night, 98.5 KTIS held its annual free winter concert at Mall of America to continue shedding light on helping trafficking survivors. Natalie Grant performed and the community donated a large number of towels and other items to a local emergency shelter.
KTIS Audience Engagement Manager Sarah Hastings was surprised by the participation from the community: “I wasn’t sure how many people would respond to such a hard topic but as I watched it unfold, I felt proud to be a part of it and amazed by the number of items donated to help survivors.”
