By Dennis Kellogg
Director of Communications
The first Connect to Protect Conference on sex trafficking in Nebraska sold out, attracting 300 people for the day-long event. The conference on Saturday, Aug. 5, in Lincoln was hosted by the I’ve Got A Name organization, which aims to end sex trafficking in the state by generating awareness and taking action to prevent the problem.
Paul Yates, the executive director of I’ve Got A Name, who has been involved in the fight against sex trafficking since 2008, said the conference exceeded his expectations.
“The Lord always provides abundantly more. We just need to trust Him,” Yates said. “We received positive feedback on all the presenters. I’m not going to say we did a great job (planning the conference), God did a great job.”
The conference included eight presentations. Father Sean Kilcawley, director of the Freedom from Pornography apostolate in the Catholic Diocese of Lincoln, examined the link between pornography and the demand for sex.
“Perpetrators notice (a girl who) comes from a broken home and she’s insecure and she really could be beautiful, but she’s always looking down, and (the perpetrator) notices her,” Father Kilcawley said during his presentation, challenging everyone to be more aware of what others are experiencing. “Why is that guy who runs the strip club better at noticing her than the people in her faith community? Why aren’t we better at noticing when people are having a hard time? Noticing is really important. People have a desire to be seen.”
Candias Jones, a certified trauma and resilience professional, shared her own story as a survivor of sexual trauma and later moderated a session with other survivors. Capt. Jake Dilsaver and Det. Ben Pflanz of the Lincoln Police Department Special Victims Unit discussed cases they have investigated and their efforts to fight trafficking in Lincoln. Dr. George Williams shared insights on the impact of social media.
Jayme Buckley and Aubrey Yost of the Child Advocacy Center talked about the prevalence of sex trafficking in the community.
Bob Burton, the founder of I’ve Got A Name, looked at the need he saw for such an organization in the community. Megan Johnson-Cook, I’ve Got A Name outreach director, also talked about the one-on-one help for victims she focuses on in her work.
Radio host Doug Fitzgerald gave a keynote presentation over lunch on sexualization in media and what people can do to change it. The conference concluded with a moving vocal performance of “Rise Up” by Lincoln singer and songwriter Haylee Bice.
Yates of I’ve Got A Name said the organization will now look for ways to build on the success of the conference and spread awareness about the issue. They are hopeful they can host a conference for youth about sex trafficking in 2024. Yates said he is available to speak to businesses and groups about sex trafficking in Nebraska. More information is available at ivegotaname.org.
The Connect to Protect Conference was made possible by a grant from Union Bank & Trust and other local sponsors.
Several of the presentations from the conference, including Fr. Sean Kilcawley’s talk, are on our Catholic Diocese of Lincoln YouTube channel.
