Page 4
kitsapweek
AroundKitsap Continued from page 3
Bremerton, OurGEMS, Scarlet Road and local law enforcement. Approximately 70 people attended. The purpose: to increase awareness of human trafficking in the region and discuss ways to stop it. The event included a screening of the movie “Chosen,” about sexual exploitation in Kitsap County. “Everyone — men, women, service providers and our entertainment world — must participate to increase awareness and join the fight to overcome the exploitation of these victims,” Sheriff Gary Simpson said. “These are our sisters, our children … that are being dragged into this evil environment.” Children as young as 10 are being targeted for sexual exploitation, with children in grades 8-10 the most targeted, according to information presented at the seminar. The offense of “Domestic Minor Sex Trafficking” is the act of forcing children and teens into sexual slavery, Simpson said. This can include child pornography, prostitution, and sexual entertainment like that found in strip clubs. “These are not victimless crimes,” Bremerton Police Sgt. Randy Plumb. “Our culture’s perspective and the movies we watch are far from reality. The victims of human trafficking are always subject to assaults, threats, fear [and] intimidation as well as being enslaved to drug addiction. Their participation is far from voluntary.” Ahlfors is the co-founder of Scarlet Road, a local non-profit organization established in 2008 to help victims of sexual exploitation in Kitsap County. “The term ‘human trafficking’ is in the media a lot, but we prefer the term ‘sexual exploitation.’ Trafficking doesn’t always happen, however, exploitation always does. It is clear and keeps a wider spectrum.” Ahlfors explained how Scarlet Road assists victims. “We work to gain their trust and help them to tell their
Friday, March 20, 2015 story. We walk with our clients until they are able to stand on their own two feet. When a girl moves, we move with her.” Her job as an outreach worker is to find victims and help them escape. “In five minutes, I can pick out the most vulnerable girls from a crowd. In the next five minutes, I need to find out who’s hunting them.” Ahlfors said of the tragedy of sexual exploitation, “I see the brokenness of [the sex] industry against humanity. It turns people into products and takes away their value as human beings. It pulls women away from their human life and puts a dollar sign on it.” When asked what community members can do to help, Kitsap County Prosecuting Attorney’s investigator Natalie Mays said one way is to donate clothing and bedding. “In many situations, once a girl is rescued from this lifestyle she cannot return back to retrieve her things,” Mays said. “It’s far too dangerous.” Donations can be made at the Kingston and Silverdale locations of Lucky Star Clothing Consignment, under the account “Scarlet Road.” Mentors are also needed, to be a stable and trustworthy companion for those recovering from exploitation. And, officials said, spread the news. Simpson said he hopes to continue making presentations throughout the region. “There are 280,000 people in Kitsap County, and around 50 people in this room,” Plumb said, “We need you to spread the news about this important issue.” Event organizer Audrey Wolf said she has a wait list of people who want to host seminars in Bainbridge Island and South Kitsap. HOTLINE: If you or someone you know needs help, call the Scarlet Road hotline, 360-850-9718. — NorthKitsapHerald.com
PORT ORCHARD inDEPEnDEnT Fathoms queen crowned: Charlotte Whitten was crowned queen at the
We’ve Got You Covered
Reach Your Constituents
Reach 2.7 Million Readers Advertise in Community Newspapers, a Key Source of Local Political News One Call • One Payment
Call this Newspaper Bainbridge 206.842.6613 Port Orchard 360.876.4414 Central Kitsap 360.308.9161 for Details Poulsbo 360.779.4464 Bremerton 360.782.1581
A Division of Sound Publishing
Victoria Ahlfors, co-founder of Scarlet Road: “We build women up and give her strength so she can be what she was created to be.” Sophie Bonomi
Left, Charlotte Whitten holds back tears as she is crowned queen by Devenn Miller, the 2014 Fathoms queen, during the 2015 Fathoms o’ Fun Festival scholarship pageant at Christian Life Center. Dannie Oliveaux 2015 Fathoms o’ Fun Royalty Scholarship Program, March 7 at Christian Life Center. More than 325 people watched as outgoing Queen Devenn Miller crowned Whitten, who won six of the 10 awards during the night. The event’s theme: “the Superhero in You.” The 18-year-old South Kitsap High School senior won the Congeniality Award (chosen by contestants), Spirit Award (chosen by outgoing royalty), Impromptu Question Award, Best Oral
Essay Award, Formal Wear/ Modeling Award, and Top Ticket Sales Award. “I am overwhelmed right now. I am so happy,” Whitten said shortly after she was crowned queen. Thanks so much to the judges and fellow contestants that voted me for Miss Congeniality. I am so thankful and so humbled.” During her year of reign, Whitten plans to get more familiar with the community. “I’m looking forward to getting to know Port
Orchard better and getting to know my community, and making stronger bonds with my court,” said Whitten, the daughter of John and Anna Whitten. Her platform was “The Power of Music” and she played a vibraphone during the talent competition. Cheyenne Werbelo, a 17-year-old SKHS senior, and Tamara Medal, a 17-year-old SKHS senior, were selected as princesses for the senior court. Werbelo, the daughter of Pete and Mandy Werbelo, won the Talent Award playing the harp, while Medal performed a sword fight demonstration. Medal is the daughter of Robert and Darlene Medal. Werbelo’s platform was “Creating Angelic Noise” and Medal’s was “America for the Arts.” First runner-up was Caylain Dandridge, a 17-year-old senior at SKHS. Karla Lewis, the second runner-up for the senior court, won two awards for top button/pin sales and top sponsor sales. Lewis is an 18-year-old senior at SKHS. The Mayor’s Award, presented by Mayor Tim Matthes, went to 2014 Fathoms Princess Soriandy Sutman. She received the award for putting in the most hours at community event. Sutman also was crowned duchess for this year’s court. Aaron Thomas, the 2013 Fathoms king, ended his time serving as the 2014 ambassador. Serving as senior court judges: Gary Linstrom, store director for the Sedge-
wick Albertson’s; Kristine Ramsdell, 2010 ambassador; Alan Johnson, 2007 Fathoms o’ Fun prince; Shelia Cline, development manager for the Arthritis Foundation in Washington state; and Matt Murphy, executive director of the Port Orchard Chamber of Commerce; Madilynn Mackie, Maria Hoyt and Alli Newhouse were chosen as princesses for the first-ever Junior Royal Court. Abbey Hicks was the first runner-up and Neko McKay was second runner-up. Mackie, a 15-year-old ninth-grader at Marcus Whitman Junior High, won the Debbie Macomber Best Written Essay Award for her essay on teaching. Hoyt, 12, was the youngest contestant and is a seventh-grader at Cedar Height Junior High School. Newhouse, the younger sister of outgoing senior princess Sami Newhouse, is a 14-year-old eighth-grader at John Sedgwick Junior High School. Hoyt’s platform was “Creating Change” and Newhouse’s platform was “Born Deaf, But Born to Dance.” Helene Jensen said the junior court will be mentored by the senior members to help prepare them for future senior court participation. Each contestant read a 500word essay, “What Brings Out the Superhero in You,” before a panel of judges — Stephanie Clark, Don Ryan and Brianna Martin, along with Miller, Thomas and Sutman. — PortOrchardIndependent.com