Baptist Hospital Fights Against Human Trafficking with Red Sand Project

Baptist Memorial Hospital - Carroll County and the Carroll County Health Department collaborated on Tuesday, August 5, to host a Red Sand Project event. The event, which took place at the main entrance of the Baptist Memorial Hospital in Huntingdon, attracted hospital staff, local leaders and community member participants.

Sarah Pitcher, manager of marketing at Baptist Memorial Hospital, said, “This event is part of our hospital’s commitment to being not just a place of healing but also a voice for justice and advocacy.”

The Red Sand Project, in which participants fill sidewalk cracks with red sand, is meant to raise awareness about human trafficking and exploitation. The red sand in the sidewalk represents the victims who slip through the cracks of current social systems.

“Human trafficking isn’t just an urban problem. It happens everywhere, including in Tennessee’s rural counties,” said Pitcher.

Human trafficking is defined as the use of force, fraud or coercion to exploit someone for labor or sex. The Tennessee Department of Health describes human trafficking as modern-day slavery. On average, a child is bought or sold for sex every two minutes in the United States. In 2024, the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation reported 1,170 human trafficking tips — with over 500 tips involving minors.

The Carroll County Health Department had a table at the event offering handbills and information cards about indicators of human trafficking and the 988 Suicide and Crisis Hotline.

“Raising awareness is the first step toward prevention, identification and intervention,” said Pitcher. “Small acts like today’s demonstration can start big conversations and potentially save lives.”

The National Human Trafficking hotline is 1-888-373-7888. Tennessee’s hotline is 1-855-558-6484 and connects callers to local law enforcement, victim services and resources within the state. Both hotlines are confidential, toll-free and available at all times.