Alabama Gymnastics Coach Dana Duckworth Slated to Speak at Rescuing Hope West Alabama Events
4/19/2017 4:07:00 PM | Gymnastics
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – Alabama gymnastics head coach Dana Duckworth is slated to speak at a pair of Rescuing Hope West Alabama events on April 25 and 26 to help raise awareness in the fight to end human trafficking.
"Dr. Matthew Dunaway came to me with a great deal of passion and asked if I would read Rescuing Hope," Duckworth said. "Having a daughter of my own, I was immediately impacted by the book, by the growing statistics on sexual trafficking and a desire to do anything I could to make a difference in this vital fight."
Duckworth will be speaking alongside Susan Norris, the founder of Rescuing Hope and author of the book by the same name. Performing at each event will be Grammy Award winning Country/Gospel artist Mac Powell and rapper KB, whose recent album debuted No. 1 on the Billboard chart.
"The insidious way young girls between the ages of 9-14 are drawn in is terrifying," Duckworth said. "If we can communicate the dangers and heighten awareness of signs of trafficking to look for - ways to help or ways to save others - I felt compelled to become a part of the Rescuing Hope initiative."
The two community-wide events are scheduled for April 25 at 7 p.m. at Tuscaloosa County High School Stadium, and April 26 at Hillcrest High School Stadium. Doors open at 6 p.m. CT. More than 4,000 people are expected to attend each event. The goal is to educate students, parents and teachers about how to work together as a community to recognize and prevent trafficking.
Several West Alabama schools are coming together for the Rescuing Hope West Alabama events, including 50 schools from Bibb, Tuscaloosa, Hale, Fayette, Jefferson, and Pickens counties along with several groups from The University of Alabama and various divisions of local law enforcement.Â
In the United States, human trafficking is largely considered something that happens in other countries. In truth, about 300,000 children are believed to be at risk of being trafficked every year in the United States. It's called the "crime hidden in plain sight." The average age of girls taken is 12- 14 years old and the average life expectancy once taken is seven years. Only one percent are ever rescued.
For more information on Rescuing Hope go to www.rescuinghope.com.
Armbands for entry are available for a $5 donation at Tuscaloosa/Northport Taco Casa locations. All proceeds will be used for victim care and other awareness efforts.
