Jon Heiden learned an important lesson during his time in India before entering law school. He worked then for the International Justice Mission, an organization that addresses slavery, sex trafficking and other abuses.
An attorney with West & Dunn, Jon talked at the Nov. 15 Rotary meeting about his time in India with IJM, helping to investigate sex trafficking. There he learned he could make a difference.
“Ordinary people can do extraordinary things,” Jon said.
IJM has rescued thousands and protected millions also from sexual violence, police abuse of power and land grabbing.
In India, their goals are to help those in forced labor and used for sex trafficking by first rescuing victims, bringing criminal justice and helping the survivors.
Jon helped with prosecution but he also with rescue operations in Kolkata, where he described a “concentration of brothels in the prettiest parts of the downtown.” He said you sense an invisible shield in these areas, basically a line of people standing on watch with cell phones to control the zone.
Initially he imagined the rescue operation would involve a SWAT team with guns drawn, but instead police officers without guns or handcuffs showed up. Jon and others with IJM were there to keep watch.
It can be a battle to get the girls out of the brothels. Some have fake identification. Afterwards, the goal is to ensure they have the services they need.
The legal cases are difficult, relying mainly on witnesses, and the sentences are shorter, between five and 10 years. Jon seemed pleased to have assisted with convictions resulting in two longer sentences.
About Kolkata, he said, “Really, it was an awesome city. Everything happens in street.”
That included most of his meals, and he could find everything he needed just a within a few block’s radius.
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Other news:
–Roberta Baumann and Ken Ballweg gave their 90 seconds of fame. Roberta has lived in Waunakee since 1995 and is the editor of the Waunakee Tribune. She grew up in New York.
–Ken is a native of Waunakee, and remembers when the edges of the town were at Fifth Street and Fairview Court. It had only two churches back then and three schools. The high school was a smaller version of the current Heritage Elementary. Ken was in the same graduating class with Tom Kennedy. He has three children and three grandchildren, and began working at Endres Manufacturing as a painter while attending the University of Wisconsin. He then worked as a machinist, got into estimating and purchasing, and eventually became the CEO.
–The club presented a $500 check to Lisa Humenik of the Waunakee Neighborhood Connection to present to the Anderson family. This family has been through a lot of trauma and is now moving into a new living space.
–Nick Mischler announced that the Waunakee school board approved the final rendering for the sculpture project at the high school.
–Christmas cookies for the Santa at the Village Center event can be brought to the Nov. 29 meeting.
–Harry Ripp of the Madison East Monona Rotary Club distributed order forms for cheese and sausage. This is a big fundraiser for the small club of 14 members.
–Bob Pulvermacher is taking orders of poinsettias from the DeForest club.
–Work continues on the Rotary Lights. Show up in the mornings and weekends to help. Five dates are left to sign up for greeting at the gate.
–Several club members are looking to achieve Paul Harris Fellows as a result of Rotary Foundation Month, when every donation will be matched.
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Guests: Shana Dunn and Jon Heiden, guests of the club; Sarah Schaffer, guest of Harriet Statz; Ross Mauer, guest of Mark McFarland; Lisa Humenik, guest of Ellen Schaaf.
Visiting Rotarians: Harry Ripp, Madison East-Monona.
Birthdays: Nov. 30, Susan Vergeront; Dec. 6, Bud Zander.
Anniversaries: Dec. 3, Jim and Kathy Kattner
Greeters: Nov. 29, Scott Biba and Connie Blau; Dec. 6, Jonny Buroker and Kathy Cefalu.
