LINN — Rescue Innocence founder Brent Messimer returned to Linn last week as the ninth annual 5K raised funds to continue the fight against human trafficking on Saturday. A total of 54 participants gathered at Linn City Park for a 5K Run/Walk to benefit Rescue Innocence. They walked or ran (or both) the course that took them to Maguire Park and back.

“It’s not easy to put together a 5K year after year,” said Messimer. “Diane (Hopke) and her team do an incredible job every year of promoting the event in advance, and we appreciate their efforts.”

This year, Messimer was also able to present information about human trafficking to high school students and adults at Community Christian Church during Sunday School and a church service. “That consistency, I think, really helps people continue to be invested.”

Messimer and his family took part in the 5K with local participants, and after the race, talked about how critical it is to support those who survive human trafficking.

“The run itself has become a family event for a lot of the people in the Linn community, and that awareness and being a part of the run are key to helping with educating and preventing future potential victims,” said Messimer. “It carries into when we meet with survivors, because we do talk about family, and we’re working with survivors.

“The importance of each step they’re taking is that it leads their children away from the environment and the influences of the people that traffic them,” he continued. “So it’s all connected, and it’s all part of stopping that sort of generational enslavement.”

Rescue Innocence is based in Columbia, with shelter and resources available to those freed from trafficking.

Messimer spoke of a newer member, who was enslaved by human traffickers for over 20 years, during which she raised a daughter. “There were times she could have walked away, but addictions kept her in it,” said Messimer. “So, she intentionally decided a year and a half ago that she was going to stop with the drugs. She gave her life to Christ, and she’s been sober and drug-free for a year and a half. Her daughter saw that and made the same decisions, and now her daughter has a job. She’s coming to her meetings, and it’s a complete turnaround. So, it’s a generational freedom that they’re finding in Christ and with the support through our organization.”

He added that several members were trafficked as infants but found rescue thanks to this organization.

“We let the people we work with in Columbia know about the 5K and they’re very grateful there are people in Linn who are willing to help educate and spread awareness of human trafficking. There’s something very special about the 5K in Linn. It’s unique because of all the hills and the people involved.”

Messimer added that he’s excited about next year’s 10th anniversary, which he said would be heavily promoted.

Hopke, who organized and has overseen the 5K, agreed that community support for the event is amazing.

“When we started holding the event, many people hadn’t even heard of human trafficking,” she said. “Now, most people have heard of it but are not aware how prevalent it is. Most have no idea that Missouri is considered fourth in number of people trafficked. The atmosphere at the race is amazing. Although there is friendly competition among the runners, there is positive encouragement among all participants. Some people come to the event just to encourage us in our efforts to end this horrific crime.”

Phoenix Rising Inc. defines human trafficking as the following:

— The transfer and harboring of individuals through force or coercion for the use of sexual exploitation or forced labor. 

— Commercial sexual exploitation of children (CSEC) is a commercial transaction that involves the sexual exploitation of a child, such as the prostitution of children and child pornography.

​— Child exploitation includes prostitution, child pornography, and sexual torture.

— Many are repeatedly raped, gang-raped, beaten, isolated, branded, tortured, terrorized, and threatened with death.

According to the National Human Trafficking Resource Center, signs include sudden changes in academic performance; behavioral issues such as avoiding eye contact, gaps in memory, or resisting being touched; physically, victims may have visible scars or bruises, appear malnourished, or show evidence of drug or alcohol addiction; low self-esteem, depression, anxiety or fear, or sudden outbursts of anger may be present; and socially, victims may have a much older partner, live in an unstable or abusive home, or have an online sexual profile.

Hopke noted that the FBI, Homeland Security, and several not-for-profit organizations, such as Rescue Innocence, offer resources.

She encouraged everyone to be vigilant, particularly of their children and young people.

In the men’s division, the overall winner was Cavan Deardorff, and Kellien Kuschel won the overall women’s event. 

Women’s Results — 20U: Hadassah Carman (first), and Sophia Lopez/Alainna Fisher (second); 21-39: Kellien Kuschel (first), and Anne Sevy (second); 40-55: Lara Oidtman (first), and Emily Kliethermes (second); 56U: Venny Groene (first), and Wanda Fowler/Doris Stieferman (second).

Men’s Results — 20U: Cavan Deardorff (first), and Reid Baker (second); 21-39: Perry Scott (first), and Kody Deardorff (second); 40-55: Mark Baker (first), and Jeff Miller (second); 56U: Tom Luebbering (first), and Mike Bock (second).

Sponsoring the event were gold sponsors American Realty & Dev., LLC, Annie’s Station, Casper’s 66, Classic Buildings, Cole County Industries, Inc., Community Christian Church, Curt Kliethermes Construction, DJ’s Repair Service, Edward Jones, Foster Mini Storage, H&M Christian Retreats, Inc., Hometown Lumber, L&M Rentals/Deeken Farms, Legends Bank, Linn Fire Protection District, Linn First Church, Linn Lions Club, Linn Printing, Mid America Bank, Moonlight Dent, Morton Chapel, Mox Properties, Muenks Insurance, R&D Construction, Rudroff Bus Co., Salon Dash, Schnitzler Tax Service, and Symbols of Success; silver sponsors Osage Ambulances, Shelter Insurance, and Linn Thriftway Supermarket; and bronze sponsors Elliott Chiropractic, Family Care Clinic/JCMG, Fennewald Auto Center, Jim Butler, MFA, and Mid State Land Surveying, LLC.