Red Sand Project brings awareness to victims who've 'fallen through the cracks'

Jay Powell, The Daily Herald
·3 min read
Volunteers from around Maury County stand together for a group photo after participating in a Red Sand Project event at the Maury County Courthouse to raise awareness of the vulnerabilities that lead to human trafficking in Columbia, Tenn. on Apr. 27, 2023.
Volunteers from around Maury County stand together for a group photo after participating in a Red Sand Project event at the Maury County Courthouse to raise awareness of the vulnerabilities that lead to human trafficking in Columbia, Tenn. on Apr. 27, 2023.

Sometimes it's easy to forget about the ones who need help the most, victims of horrific crimes, sexual violence and human trafficking, often occurring at a young age.

The fight to raise awareness for victims of human trafficking was recognized Thursday with the Red Sand Project, an international public art exhibition celebrated in more than 70 countries around the world. In Columbia, the Red Sand Project was presented by local sexual and domestic assault nonprofit Center of Hope and the Maury County Health Department, which has become an annual tradition over the last five years.

During the Red Sand Project, participants spread sand along the front of businesses, on sidewalks and other walkways, filling in the cracks to represent human trafficking victims, or "those who've fallen between the cracks of society." They will then share photos to social media with the hashtags #centerofhopetn, #RedSandProjectTN and #ITHasToStop.

Chaz Molder, mayor of Columbia, pours red sand into the cracks outside of the Maury County courthouse to raise awareness of human trafficking during a Red Sand Project event in Columbia, Tenn. on Apr. 27, 2023.
Chaz Molder, mayor of Columbia, pours red sand into the cracks outside of the Maury County courthouse to raise awareness of human trafficking during a Red Sand Project event in Columbia, Tenn. on Apr. 27, 2023.

"People all over the world celebrate this, which of course honors the victims of human trafficking and the red sand standing for that," Mayor Chaz Molder said. "But Center of Hope makes it local, brings it to us. Without Center of Hope, we would not have this kind of awareness, which is what they are so good at doing, bringing public awareness to issues that might otherwise not have awareness."

MCHD Public Health Educator Jennifer Kinzer Parks, one of the event's organizers, said she got involved in public service after becoming a victim of domestic violence and sexual assault. To her, raising awareness is important because it can connect victims with resources to better their life, and that her story is an example of how it is possible.

Jennifer Kinzer Parks, public health educator to Maury County Health Department, stands in the center of a heart drawn in red sand following a Red Sand Project event in Columbia, Tenn. on Apr. 27, 2023.
Jennifer Kinzer Parks, public health educator to Maury County Health Department, stands in the center of a heart drawn in red sand following a Red Sand Project event in Columbia, Tenn. on Apr. 27, 2023.

"People who come into the health department who are like who I used to be, they get to see somebody who has thrived and survived and overcome this," Kinzer Parks said. "I want to be a voice for those who feel they don't have a voice, because we need to break the silence, and secrets make us sick."

She said events like the Red Sand Project are important because it gives the victims that voice and brings a greater public awareness to the problem in ways that hopefully lead to solutions.

Birdie Hardison, a resident of Columbia, pours red sand into the cracks outside of the Maury County courthouse during a Red Sand Project event hosted by her daughter, Jennifer Kinzer Parks, in Columbia, Tenn. on Apr. 27, 2023.
Birdie Hardison, a resident of Columbia, pours red sand into the cracks outside of the Maury County courthouse during a Red Sand Project event hosted by her daughter, Jennifer Kinzer Parks, in Columbia, Tenn. on Apr. 27, 2023.

"It's definitely a problem in Tennessee, but we do have our TBI and local law enforcement who have a national line that people can call," Kinzer Parks said. "During COVID, there was about 50,000 people or more who called, texted or sent out an alert that they could possibly be a victim of human trafficking. Those numbers represent people."

The Tennessee Human Trafficking Hotline can be reached at 1-855-55-TNHTH.

Hosting the event in April was also important, as April is recognized as Sexual Assault Awareness Month, as well as Child Abuse Prevention Month. Wednesday was also Denim Day, wherein participants are encouraged to wear denim in solidarity for victims of sexual assault.

Jennifer Kinzer Parks, right, public health educator to Maury County Health Department, and Cindy Sims, executive director for Center of Hope pose for a portrait in Columbia, Tenn. on Apr. 27, 2023. Sims and Parks collaborated on this years Red Sand Project at the Maury County courthouse to raise awareness of the vulnerabilities that lead to human trafficking.

Center of Hope Executive Director Cindy Sims said she was pleased with Thursday's turnout, which drew city leaders, first responders, nonprofit groups and citizens, all joining together at the Maury County Courthouse to pour bags of sand. Many local businesses, nonprofits and civic groups also took part in the Red Sand Project.

"It was so much wonderful having so much support in this community," Sims said. "We are so excited to have this opportunity to raise awareness. That is what is important, right? Center of Hope is here, and we are here to help and are in this community. This is what we do."

For more information on Center of Hope, visit www.CenterofHopeTN.org or call (31) 840-0916. For more information on the Maury County Health Department and its resources, call (931) 388-5757 or visit the main building at 1909 Hampshire Pike.

This article originally appeared on The Daily Herald: Red Sand Project fights for victims of human trafficking