The Red Sand Project: Raising Awareness about Human Trafficking

In recent years, human trafficking has become a more popular topic in the news. Yet for all of the attention that this crime has received, there are still a lot of misconceptions about what human trafficking is and who it affects.

This September, Blackburn Center is teaming up with the Westmoreland Human Trafficking Task Force for the Red Sand Project, an annual art installation to raise awareness about human trafficking. Read on to learn more about this project – and how you can get involved.

What Is the Red Sand Project?

Founded in 2014 by artist Molly Gochman, the Red Sand Project is a global art installation that is designed to raise awareness about human trafficking. Red sand is used to fill cracks in sidewalks, creating a visually stunning effect that serves a much bigger purpose. Each grain of sand is a symbolic representation of a person who fell through the cracks and became a victim of human trafficking. Today, the Red Sand Project has taken place in all 50 states in the United States, as well as in more than 70 countries.

Human trafficking is a much larger problem than many people realize. It is a multi-billion-dollar industry affecting 24.9 million people around the world. In many cases, the victims of human trafficking are some of society’s most vulnerable people. The Red Sand Project seeks to draw attention to the problem of human trafficking with art installations throughout the country.

There are 2 primary types of human trafficking: sex trafficking and labor trafficking. Both involve the use of force, fraud, or coercion to induce another person to either work or sell sex. Worldwide, experts believe that there are more labor trafficking situations than sex trafficking cases. Labor trafficking occurs in both illegitimate and legitimate industries (such as restaurants, salons, cleaning services, and construction).

Importantly, human trafficking rarely involves things like kidnapping. Instead, traffickers often rely on psychological tactics like recruitment and grooming to lure or coerce a person into performing sex work or providing labor. In many cases, a trafficker exploits someone that they know, such as a romantic partner or a family member.

There are some groups of people who are more vulnerable to human trafficking. This includes people who:

• Have a history of sexual abuse

• Have a history of domestic violence

• Struggle with substance use disorder, or have a caregiver or family member with a substance abuse issue

• Are undocumented immigrants

• Have an unstable living situation

• Are dealing with poverty or financial need

• Are runaways

• Are involved in the juvenile justice or foster care systems

  
  

The Red Sand Project not only draws attention to the problem of human trafficking, but to its victims – who are often overlooked by society.

As individuals, we can’t stop human trafficking on our own. However, we can do our part to raise awareness about this crime and to support victims and survivors. Taking part in the Red Sand Project is a great way to do it.

Help Us Raise Awareness about Human Trafficking with the Red Sand Project

Together with the Westmoreland Human Trafficking Task Force, Blackburn Center is hosting a Red Sand Project installation this September. If you’d like to help, we would love to see you there. On September 6, 2025, we will be pouring red sand into sidewalk cracks in several locations:

• 9:30 a.m.: Westmoreland County Courthouse

• 9:30 a.m.: Westmoreland Transit Authority

• 9:30 a.m.: St. Clair Park

• 9:30 a.m.: Twin Lakes Extension

• 10:30 a.m.: Arnold Palmer Regional Airport

Other dates and locations include:

• September 2, 9:00 a.m.: Office of Representative Jill Cooper in Export, PA

• September 2, 10:00 a.m.: Office of Representative Jill Cooper in New Kensington, PA

• September 4, 9:00 a.m.: Independence Frick Hospital

• September 9, 10:30 a.m.: Country Cuts Hair Salon

• September 9, 11:30 a.m.: Jeanette Public Library

• September 11, 9:00 a.m.: Independence Latrobe Hospital

• September 11, 4:00 p.m.: Independence Westmoreland Hospital

• September 25, 11:00 a.m.: Rostraver Public Library

To learn more, you can call us at 724-837-9540 x 171 or email Caitlync@blackburncenter.org. You can also learn more about human trafficking and how to participate in the Red Sand Project by following the Westmoreland Human Trafficking Task Force on Facebook, X, and Instagram.

If you need help, we are here for you. Call anytime at 1-888-832-2272 (TDD available). Calls to our hotline are always free of charge and can be confidential.