Advocates gear up for the Walk to End It

From its scenic attractions to its arts district and foodie destinations, the Richmond region – and its residents – can regularly boast of making it onto "Top 10" or "Top 100" lists of all kinds.

Unfortunately, Greater Richmond is also on at least one Top 20 list that does not inspire pride.

Because of its geographic location and proximity to major highways, the Richmond area is one of the nation's top 20 jurisdictions for sex trafficking. Henrico County, in particular, has seen an explosion of trafficking activity – right alongside the uptick in the the opioid crisis.

Faced with such appalling statistics, some locals might be inclined to shrug them off, or simply shake their heads and wonder, "What can be done?"

Brendan Paget is not one of them.

For six years, he has served on the board of Safe Harbor, a Henrico non-profit founded in 2000 as an emergency shelter for residents endangered by domestic violence.

Today, Safe Harbor programs have expanded to include comprehensive support services, ranging from shelter to counseling, for survivors of human trafficking as well as domestic violence and sexual violence.

As a father of two daughters, Paget says, volunteering for an organization like Safe Harbor is a no-brainer.

"I can’t imagine something [that] awful happening to them," Paget says. "But if it does, I want a place like Safe Harbor for them to go to."

Among the annual Safe Harbor events he and his family support is The Walk to End It, which on Nov. 6 will mark its fifth year. Held at Dorey Park in Varina, the walk is open to all and there is no fee to participate. Participants are encouraged, however, to raise funds for the human trafficking program. The event is made possible by support from corporate partners, including AT&T, Allianz Partners, Elephant Insurance, Patient First, Lawson Companies and Bey & Cotropia.

"The Walk was the idea of a client who was in our human trafficking program," explains Mary Maupai, development director for Safe Harbor.

The client so appreciated the help she received in rebuilding her life that she wanted to give back, and Safe Harbor developed her idea into a celebration that honors survivors and raises awareness in addition to funds.

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Paget can attest to the awareness-raising part, since the walkers stroll on trails that are lined with signs highlighting trafficking facts and stories.

”[The signs] sparked some great questions from my daughters, which in turn, sparked great conversations," he says. "It’s not something that you generally talk about in everyday family conversation, so I appreciated the awareness it brought and the thoughtful discussion about the issues."

Among other benefits of the Walk, Maupai adds, is allowing people who may not be survivors or know survivors the chance to join others in solidarity – simply to promote the cause of ending violence.

What's more, she says, the Walk often bring new friends and donors into the Safe Harbor family.

"The feedback from participants has always been positive, even when we had to walk in the rain in 2019," she says. Despite the weather, the 2019 Walk drew 161 walkers and raised more than $16,000.

But the Walk had to be held virtually the last two years, and – to no one's surprise – attendance has been down.

Paget readily admits that the virtual Walks were just not the same.

"I missed the people, the energy, and the sense of a shared community purpose," he says.

And needless to say, he and his fellow walkers are looking forward to Nov. 6 and the return to an in-person celebration.

"What’s not to enjoy?" Paget says. "First, you are surrounded by wonderful people. Second, the energy and vibe is electric and motivating. Third, everyone is there to support such a powerful mission.

"And fourth," he concludes, "you’re in the outdoors enjoying some exercise and activity. It really is a deeply moving event to see so many people walking for the same cause."

For details or to register for the Walk, click here.