News & Media

Call to Freedom in the News

Social media depictions of trafficking can cause harm

by: Jacob Newton Posted: Sep 19, 2023 / 05:36 PM CDT Updated: Sep 20, 2023 / 05:31 AM CDT   SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO) — You’ve likely seen the posts. A friend of a friend posts a screenshot of a post [...]

September 25, 2023|
Raising awareness of human trafficking before Sturgis Rally

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (Dakota News Now) - Survivors of human trafficking shared their stories at Call to Freedom’s “Hidden in Plain Sight” event. Call to Freedom is an organization that works to raise awareness of human trafficking while helping [...]

August 7, 2023|
Prevention training at Sandborn Central

Guest speaker discusses important subject for today’s youth at Sanborn Central By: admin Published March 28, 2023, in Headline News, School STEVE STERNHAGEN, Youth Navigator from Call to Freedom, spoke to students last week. Steve Sternhagen is a Youth Navigator in the [...]

March 29, 2023|
Their New Job Makes a Difference

  By Steve Young, for Pigeon605 In a world where the missing, the murdered and the trafficked have become all too common of a storyline, South Dakota has hired two women – Allison Morrisette and Mary Beth Holzwarth – [...]

February 28, 2023|

Survivor Stories

Journey of a Human Trafficking Survivor: Eye on Keloland

Various organizations around the world and here in KELOLAND are working hard to help victims of human trafficking escape their scenarios and start over. Eight years ago, Mary came to Call to Freedom with one purpose. “I walked through the doors. [...]

February 10, 2023|
Survivor stories: Males impacted by sex trafficking

Male trafficking survivor shares his lived experience of the impact of human trafficking. When we hear the stories of human trafficking impacting the lives of victims, it’s often through a female lens. And while female-identifying people do make up [...]

February 9, 2023|
Survivor raising human trafficking awareness

About 50,000 human trafficking victims were detected and reported by 148 countries in 2018, according to the United Nations. Today, 44-year-old Rebecca Cary is the founder of a Texas-based anti-human trafficking organization called Hands of Justice. View the full story [...]

July 26, 2022|

Guest Podcast Appearances

KLOVE LOCAL Closer Look: Call to Freedom – Sioux Falls

Becky Hansen talks with Becky Rasmussen, CEO of Call to Freedom in Sioux Falls. Call to Freedom provides care, safety, commUnity and wholeness to people who have been impacted by sex and labor trafficking and exploitation. Rasmussen explains [...]

December 20, 2023|
Jon Michaels’ Forum: About Human Trafficking with Experts

Public Affairs Director Jon Michaels talks about human trafficking with expert heavy hitters speaking at the State Theater in Sioux Falls. Alisa Giorczyk – In addition to holding a master’s degree in international relations from Harvard University, Alisa is a [...]

August 1, 2023|
SDPB In the Moment: Ruth and Mary

On today's In the Moment... Human trafficking is a significant problem in South Dakota. But there is hope in helping victims get out. We gather a panel of experts to discuss sex and labor trafficking. Becky Rasmussen is the [...]

February 28, 2023|
Bringing Philanthropy to Life: Helping to Heal & Empower Victims

Becky Rasmussen joined South Dakota Community Foundation's (SDCF) Director of Development Jeff Veltkamp to discuss the critical care the organization provides. Since 1987, the South Dakota Community Foundation has been bringing philanthropy to life for a stronger South Dakota [...]

February 22, 2023|

News Archives

Help Furnish Call to Freedom’s new housing complex – KELO, February 21, 2022 Read More

UNL researchers aim to improve support for sex trafficking survivors – KLKN, January 24, 2022 Read More

Community-based research aims to improve support for sex trafficking survivors – University of Nebraska-Lincoln, January 13, 2022 Read More

Call to Freedom raising awareness during National Human Trafficking Awareness Month – Keloland, January 9, 2022 Read More

Call to Freedom preparing for Human Trafficking Awareness and Prevention Month – Dakota News Now, December 30, 2021 Read More

Call to Freedom looking for donations to help furnish Marissa’s House – KSFY, December 15, 2021 Read More

Holiday Giving – Inside Keloland, November 28, 2021 Read More

Nexstar Media Charitable Foundation and KELO-TV donate $5000 to Call to Freedom – Keloland, October 22, 2021 Read More

Woman Pleads Guilty to sex trafficking a child – Keloland, October 15, 2021 Read More

Call to Freedom’s CommUnity Breakfast raises money and awareness for human trafficking – Keloland, October 13, 2021 Read More

Call to Freedom raising money to help survivors of human trafficking – Keloland, October 13, 2021 Read More

Cocktails and Clothes event to benefit Call to Freedom – Keloland, September 15, 2021 Read More

Call to Freedom breaks ground on Marissa’s Project – Keloland, June 17, 2021 Read More

Call to Freedom to break ground on new housing project – Kelo AM, June 14, 2021 Read More

Call to Freedom visits Family Crisis Center in Redfield – The Redfield Press, June 11, 2021. Read More

Call to Freedom seeking donations to fund new housing facility – DakotaNewsNow, June 10, 2021. Read More

Call to Freedom asks city for $500,000 to house human trafficking victims – Argus Leader, June 8, 2021. Read More

Sioux Falls Area Community Foundation’s Youth Advisory Council grants $9,000 to local non-profits including Call to Freedom – May 20, 2021 – Read More

Across the Table with Becky Rasmussen

Our Executive Director, Becky Rasmussen, sat down with Keloland Living. Read More

KELO, March 23, 2021

Downtown Burger Battle raises $31,000 for Call to Freedom

Thanks to Matt Paulson, founder of MarketBeat, for donating $1 for every burger sold. Read More

Argus Leader – February 5, 2021

Premier Inc. Honors Call to Freedom with National Award and $100,000 for Community Initiative

South Dakota nonprofit recognized for providing immediate safety, stable housing and healthcare to human trafficking victims. Read more.

Premier Inc – October 28, 2020

Eight Days of Hope, Call to Freedom Partner to Build Housing Center for Survivors of Human Trafficking in SD

A national organization just announced it is partnering with Call to Freedom to build a brand new housing project for victims of human trafficking in South Dakota. Read more.

KELO – October 15, 2020

New Anti-Human Trafficking Bill Introduced at the State Capital

New laws meant to crack down on human trafficking were introduced at the South Dakota Capital. These laws should increase Shared Hope’s D rating of South Dakota when it comes to addressing human trafficking. Read More

Public News Service – January 24, 2020

Advocates: Human Trafficking Bill Would Help Children Sold by Families

A bill that would help child victims of sex trafficking get earlier help from state services would be instrumental for survivors to move forward with their lives, advocates say. Read more.

Argus Leader – January 23, 2020

Human Trafficking Round Table

On this edition of South Dakota Focus: we examine human trafficking. Read More

South Dakota Focus, SDPB – November 26, 2019

Shared Hope Highlights Call to Freedom Impact – Shared Hope International – 11.14.18

Compass Center, Call to Freedom Changing Spaces, Expanding Services – Argus Leader – 7.27.18

A Message from Becky Rasmussen, Call to Freedom Executive Director – 6.18

Life 96.5 Recaps Call to Freedom Hands & Feet – Life 96.5 – 4.18

End It Movement Reaches KELOLAND – KELO – 2.22.18

Nebraska Officials Crack Down on Sex Trafficking – KMTV – 1.29.18

Call to Freedom Receives 50k Grant – KELO – 1.17.18

KELOland Living – Call to Freedom – KELO – 1.15.18

Local Advocates Push Human Trafficking Awareness Month – KELO – 1.12.18

Awareness, intervention focuses of Anti-Human Trafficking Month – 1.12.18

A Call To Action On Human Trafficking – KELO – 1.11.18

Sioux Falls-based Nonprofit Raises Human Trafficking Awareness – KSFY – 1.11.18

Becky Rasmussen and Rep. Tom Holmes; Booneman; and Mike Cooper – The Patrick Lalley Show – 1.9.18

Sanford Award & Avera Tradition of Caring – KELOLAND – 1.7.18

Nine Arrested in Sturgis Rally Sex Trafficking Sting – Argus Leader – 8.16.17

Anti-Sex Trafficking Message Blankets Sturgis Before Motorcycle Rally – Argus leader – 8.6.17

YOURS: Combating Human Trafficking at the Rally – Rapid City Journal – 7.25.17

Texas Case Highlights Local Concern about Human Trafficking – KELOLAND – 07.24.17

A Closer Look at Human Trafficking in South Dakota – KSFY – 07.24.17

Groups Team Up to Fight Human Trafficking in the Hills – KEVN Black Hills Fox – 07.23.17

Who Are the Victims of Child Porn? – KELOLAND – 05.10.17

Victims, Survivors of Sexual Violence Use Art to Heal – KSFY – 3.30.17

Human Trafficking Troubles Continue in the Midwest – KSFY – 3.22.17

Wear Red to END-IT For a Sioux Falls and Nationwide Effort – KSOO 1140 AM -2.23.17

Prosecutors Dropped Trafficking Case After Losing Witness – Argus Leader – 2.8.17

Sex Trafficking Bill in the Legislature – KELOLAND – 2.8.17

New Rules Aim to Remove Sioux Falls as a ‘Destination City’ for Human Traffickers – Argus Leader – 2.6.17

South Dakota Legislature Reviews Bill Strengthening Sex Trafficking Laws – KSOO 1140 AM – 2.5.17

Sioux Falls Lawmaker Files Human Trafficking Bill – KELOLAND – 1.27.17

Raising Awareness Through Faith – KELOLAND – 1.11.17

Backpage.com Shuts Down Adult Section – KELOLAND – 1.11.17

Wear Blue for Human Trafficking Awareness Day – KIKN 100.5 – 1.10.17

Holiday Season Can Be Hard for Survivors of Human Trafficking – Argus Leader – 11.28.16

Human Trafficking Awareness Spread Across South Dakota – KSFY – 8.15.16

Nonprofit Organization That Helps Sex Trafficking Victims Expands – KDLT – 7.24.16

Tackling the Sex Trade in South Dakota – KELOLAND – 6.9.16

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