Bloomington-Normal has five brothels.
That's according to Catalyst Ministries President and Founder Julie Ryan.
Ryan is leading an effort to turn the community into central Illinois’ only safe haven for girls and women in the Human Trafficking industry.
Ryan cites a study that claims nearly ninety percent of trafficked women would go to a safe place, if they knew of one.
Catalyst Ministries holds an awareness event this evening to get more support and volunteers. It's from 6:30 to 8 at the Evangelical Free Church in Bloomington.
An Open House is also planned in the Catalyst Ministries new business office at 202 Eldorado Road (Suite C-1) in Bloomington, November 15th, at 6:30p.
In this conversation with GLT correspondent Maria Henneberry, Ryan says it’s difficult to know how many area women are involved, because it’s secretive. The issue, she says, is right in front of us, even if we don’t think so.