GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) — A West Michigan survivor who was trafficked for sex on Grand Rapids streets as a teen has created a new online training program for those on the front lines of the war against predators.
“Fighting human trafficking is something I will never be able to stop,” Ruth Rondon told Target 8 in a recent interview. “It’s my passion. I’m in this for life.”
It’s personal for Rondon. Now 63 and retired, she was trafficked in Grand Rapids for 18 years in the 1970s and 80s, controlled by pimps who beat her and the drug addiction that helped her survive it.
In addition to creating the online training program and writing a book about her life story, Rondon also represents victims on the state’s Human Trafficking Health Advisory Board.
At a recent meeting of the Board, Rondon spoke about the elearning curriculum, W.A.R. on Slavery: Human Trafficking Awareness.
“I have noticed in my anti-human trafficking work, when I go to trainings, a lot of people fall asleep, or they’re on their phones and they really don’t want to be there.” Rondon said. “I fell in love with this (e-learning) format because it’s just three minutes a day and you can do it on your own time.”
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