News & Media

Call to Freedom in the News

Immigration Hurdles Harm Labor Trafficking Crackdown

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. – The first time Sioux Falls Police Chief Jon Thum saw evidence of labor trafficking, he didn’t recognize it. As a young patrol officer nearly 20 years ago, Thum entered a house that had no real [...]

August 19, 2024|
Looking Out for Human Trafficking at Sturgis

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO) – The 84th Sturgis Motorcycle Rally starts on Friday and with the excitement also comes a somber reminder about human trafficking. Last year, five men were arrested following a sex trafficking sting operation at the [...]

August 6, 2024|
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|

Survivor Stories

Guest Podcast Appearances

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|
Jon Michaels’ Forum: Human Trafficking Education

Public Affairs Director Jon Michaels talks with Becky Rasmussen, Executive Director of Call to Freedom in Sioux Falls about their education plans for human trafficking in Sioux Falls and South Dakota. THE PROBLEM Human trafficking is the illegal trade [...]

January 27, 2023|
La Salle University TV interview with a human trafficking survivor

January is National Human Trafficking Awareness Month. Human trafficking is the illegal trade of people, mainly for forced labor or sex trafficking. In this episode of The Power of One, community advocate Melany Nelson explores the world of [...]

January 10, 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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