ITEM PHOTO BY OWEN O’ROURKE
From left, Becky Abbott, Kristin Fallica and Amee Otto each wearing a shirt from the three different years the Race for Freedom has been run.
BY GAYLA CAWLEY
LYNN — More than 110 people will be running to end human trafficking on Saturday.
Kristin Fallica, a Lynn English High School teacher, is organizing the third annual Run for Freedom, which starts at 9:30 a.m. at 57 Munroe St. outside the Haven Project building.
The Lynn nonprofit, Run for Freedom, started the 5K race to raise community awareness about human trafficking. The organization, sponsored by the East Coast International Church, raises money to support groups that fight the problem and support victims.
Human trafficking is the illegal trade of humans against their will for the purposes of sexual exploitation, forced labor or modern day slavery.
Fallica said the group’s goal is to raise $8,000 with the run, with $5,000 of that going towards Amirah, a Boston-based safe house. The rest would be used to implement programs to educate students about the issue.
Kenjon Barner, a running back with the Philadelphia Eagles, is expected to participate in the run to support the cause. Fallica said the Super Bowl is one of the largest human trafficking events in the U.S. each year because wealthy people are usually able to purchase tickets.
“The pimps will take the girls there so they can make money,” Fallica said.
Prostitution is considered trafficking, as it isn’t usually a choice that people wake up and make, she said. Most women involved have experienced sexual or emotional abuse. Sometimes there is grooming, where the girl thinks they might be in a relationship with a man who is slowing earning her trust. The man will then ask her to do favors for him.
That was the story of Jasmine Marino, of Revere, who inspired Fallica to start the run for freedom. Fallica said she attended an event in Saugus where Marino told her story of being a sex trafficking survivor, which included a powerful art show and performance. She learned that it could happen to anyone, as the average age for human trafficking is 14.
“It was really powerful and opened my eyes to what human trafficking was,” Fallica said.
City Councilor Richard Colucci supports the run for the cause. He said girls don’t make the decision at age 10 to become a prostitute and that something pushes them into it.
“All of these young girls, they get picked up and then they get trafficked,” Colucci said.
Registration begins at 8:30 a.m. Adults pay $30 and children younger than 12 pay $5. Race day will feature music, experts providing education and resources, a kids run, drinks and snacks, and prizes from local businesses.
Gayla Cawley can be reached at gcawley@itemlive.com. Follow her on Twitter @GaylaCawley.