Local Groups, People Unite to Fight Sex Trafficking (Part three in the spotlight on sex trafficking)

(Originally published in the Pine County Courier February 2, 2018) Emilee Franklin Local groups, people unite to fight sex trafficking Part III in the spotlight on sex trafficking Whether you first heard about it last week or have been hearing about it for years, sex trafficking affects everyone and our community is not exempt. According […]

Sex Trafficking Facts May Be Surprising (Part Two in the Spotlight on Sex Trafficking)

Originally published in the Pine County Courier January 25, 2018 Emilee Franklin Sex trafficking facts may be surprising (Part two in the spotlight on sex trafficking) According to “Mapping the Demand: Sex Buyers in the State of Minnesota,” Executive Summary August 2017, by the Women’s Foundation of Minnesota, Robert J. Jones Urban Research and Outreach-Engagement […]

Community United to Fight Sex Trafficking – (Part One in the Spotlight on Sex Trafficking)

(Originally published in the Pine County Courier January 18, 2018) Emilee Franklin Community United to Fight Sex Trafficking (Part one in Spotlight on Sex Trafficking) What do health and human services employees, Pine County Sheriff’s Department, Duluth Police Department, judges, school employees, students, survivors and concerned citizens all have in common? On January 10, they […]

Sexual Assault Allegations are NOT a joke

Originally published in the Pine County Courier 7.6.17 Emilee Franklin Sexual Assault Allegations are NOT a joke Dear Mr. Cosby, Thank you for your time spent as Dr. Heathcliff “Cliff” Huxtable, named by many as “America’s father”. Cliff Huxtable was a fictional character on the NBC sitcom, The Cosby Show. He was a doctor, […]

Musicians ARE Heroes

Originally printed in the Pine County Courier: June 22, 2017. Emilee Franklin Musicians ARE Heroes For people who don’t understand why others mourn the death of artists, you need to understand these people have been a shoulder to cry on. Our rock. They’ve been family, friends, leaders, teachers and role models. Many have taught us […]

Breaking News: Rape is NEVER the Victims Fault

Emilee Franklin Breaking News: Rape is NEVER the Victims Fault After feelings of frustration, and anger, I finally felt motivated enough to write about a topic that is very dear to me. Recently I have heard or seen individuals blaming victims of sexual assault for their assault. These were individuals who did not know details […]

County Officials attempt to tackle underage drinking at community meeting in Hinckley

Originally Published in the Pine County Courier May 4, 2017. Emilee Franklin County Officials attempt to tackle underage drinking at community meeting in Hinckley On April 27, the Pine County Chemical Health Coalition hosted a community conversation around underage drinking at Hinckley-Finlayson Schools. A group of around 30 people gathered for the event which included […]

Paranoia “Will Destroy Ya”

Originally published in the Pine County Courier May 4, 2017. Emilee Franklin Paranoia “Will Destroy Ya” I have experienced the crazy, unacceptable cultural phenomenon a lot this past year; life without a cell phone. From August to February, I resided in China, teaching English. While there, I needed to purchase a phone that would work […]

Successful year for new WINDOW program

Originally published in the Pine County Courier May 4, 2017 Emilee Franklin Successful year for new WINDOW program In the past year since WINDOW launched their Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (SANE) program in April 2016, they have responded to 23 sexual assault victims. Eleven of these assaults were in Pine County, nine were in Carlton […]

My Story

Originally posted in the Pine County Courier April 27, 2017 Emilee Franklin My Story It has been over 730 days, or two years since the night that changed my life changed forever. Since that time I have dealt with anxiety, depression, post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and physical symptoms related to my assault of having […]