Call to Freedom in the News
Higher Penalties for Human Trafficking in South Dakota
SIOUX FALLS S.D. (KELO)– Human trafficking involves the use of force, fraud, or coercion in exchange for labor, services, or a sex act. Becky Rassmussen founded Call to Freedom 10 years ago because she saw a need to help [...]
Touchstone Energy Cooperatives Who Powers You contest: Allen Ludens & Carol Hasz
Touchstone Energy Cooperatives have nominated Allen Ludens and Carol Hasz for the Who Powers You contest, who have been making a difference in their communities. Allen Ludens volunteers with Call to Freedom, helping survivors access vital resources and secure [...]
Call to Freedom to relocate, expand services
SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO) – Working to help the victims of human trafficking and sexual exploitation, Call to Freedom will continue its mission at a new location in Sioux Falls. “For us, to serve those that walk through the [...]
Skilled trades volunteers battle human trafficking with expertise
SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO) — On April second almost 3 dozen well-organized volunteers from around the country traveled to Sioux Falls. They came to help Call to Freedom prepare their new headquarters “So down here is just cosmetic paint [...]
Labor trafficking surfaces in Sioux Falls area with theme of promising a better life
April 14, 2025 A rare case including elements of labor trafficking is one of a growing number in recent years, according to those who serve victims and survivors. At least three people connected to Hibachi Grill & Supreme Buffet [...]
Survivor Stories
Journey of a Human Trafficking Survivor: Eye on Keloland
Various organizations around the world and here in KELOLAND are working hard to help victims of human trafficking escape their scenarios and start over. Eight years ago, Mary came to Call to Freedom with one purpose. “I walked through the doors. [...]
Survivor stories: Males impacted by sex trafficking
Male trafficking survivor shares his lived experience of the impact of human trafficking. When we hear the stories of human trafficking impacting the lives of victims, it’s often through a female lens. And while female-identifying people do make up [...]
Survivor raising human trafficking awareness
About 50,000 human trafficking victims were detected and reported by 148 countries in 2018, according to the United Nations. Today, 44-year-old Rebecca Cary is the founder of a Texas-based anti-human trafficking organization called Hands of Justice. View the full story [...]
Guest Podcast Appearances
Jon Michaels’ Forum: Human Trafficking in Sioux Falls – Call to Freedom – Marissa’s House
Public Affairs Director Jon Michaels (since 1977) talks with Becky Rasmussen, CEO and President for Call To Freedom, and McKenzie Huska, Director of Outreach Services and Marissa's House. from their website: Alpine Cares Concert Fundraiser – Johnny Holmes – [...]
Call to Freedom: Labor Trafficking in South Dakota
Sunday Focus With Christine Manika We have been talking with the CEO and Founder of Call to Freedom Becky Rasmussen about this amazing organization and survivors. But one area we haven't mentioned is labor trafficking. What is labor trafficking [...]
Movie Night with Call to Freedom
Sunday Focus With Christine Manika We have been talking with the CEO and Founder of Call to Freedom Becky Rasmussen about Call to Freedom in a variety of segments, which includes topics of sex and labor trafficking, survivor stories, [...]
Sunday Focus with Christine Manika – Call to Freedom: The Volunteers
Sunday Focus With Christine Manika We have been talking with the CEO and Founder of Call to Freedom Becky Rasmussen about this amazing organization and survivors. But now once a victim comes forward and visits Call to Freedom, how [...]
A Conversation with the 2024 Bush Prize: South Dakota Winners
A Conversation with our 2024 Bush Prize: South Dakota Winners South Dakota Community Foundation (SDCF) in partnership with the Bush Foundation, is thrilled to offer the Bush Prize: South Dakota program. This prestigious award recognizes organizations deeply valued in [...]
News Archives
Help Furnish Call to Freedom’s new housing complex – KELO, February 21, 2022 Read More
UNL researchers aim to improve support for sex trafficking survivors – KLKN, January 24, 2022 Read More
Community-based research aims to improve support for sex trafficking survivors – University of Nebraska-Lincoln, January 13, 2022 Read More
Call to Freedom raising awareness during National Human Trafficking Awareness Month – Keloland, January 9, 2022 Read More
Call to Freedom preparing for Human Trafficking Awareness and Prevention Month – Dakota News Now, December 30, 2021 Read More
Call to Freedom looking for donations to help furnish Marissa’s House – KSFY, December 15, 2021 Read More
Holiday Giving – Inside Keloland, November 28, 2021 Read More
Nexstar Media Charitable Foundation and KELO-TV donate $5000 to Call to Freedom – Keloland, October 22, 2021 Read More
Woman Pleads Guilty to sex trafficking a child – Keloland, October 15, 2021 Read More
Call to Freedom’s CommUnity Breakfast raises money and awareness for human trafficking – Keloland, October 13, 2021 Read More
Call to Freedom raising money to help survivors of human trafficking – Keloland, October 13, 2021 Read More
Cocktails and Clothes event to benefit Call to Freedom – Keloland, September 15, 2021 Read More
Call to Freedom breaks ground on Marissa’s Project – Keloland, June 17, 2021 Read More
Call to Freedom to break ground on new housing project – Kelo AM, June 14, 2021 Read More
Call to Freedom visits Family Crisis Center in Redfield – The Redfield Press, June 11, 2021. Read More
Call to Freedom seeking donations to fund new housing facility – DakotaNewsNow, June 10, 2021. Read More
Call to Freedom asks city for $500,000 to house human trafficking victims – Argus Leader, June 8, 2021. Read More
Sioux Falls Area Community Foundation’s Youth Advisory Council grants $9,000 to local non-profits including Call to Freedom – May 20, 2021 – Read More
Across the Table with Becky Rasmussen
Our Executive Director, Becky Rasmussen, sat down with Keloland Living. Read More
KELO, March 23, 2021
Downtown Burger Battle raises $31,000 for Call to Freedom
Thanks to Matt Paulson, founder of MarketBeat, for donating $1 for every burger sold. Read More
Argus Leader – February 5, 2021
Premier Inc. Honors Call to Freedom with National Award and $100,000 for Community Initiative
South Dakota nonprofit recognized for providing immediate safety, stable housing and healthcare to human trafficking victims. Read more.
Premier Inc – October 28, 2020
Eight Days of Hope, Call to Freedom Partner to Build Housing Center for Survivors of Human Trafficking in SD
A national organization just announced it is partnering with Call to Freedom to build a brand new housing project for victims of human trafficking in South Dakota. Read more.
KELO – October 15, 2020
New Anti-Human Trafficking Bill Introduced at the State Capital
New laws meant to crack down on human trafficking were introduced at the South Dakota Capital. These laws should increase Shared Hope’s D rating of South Dakota when it comes to addressing human trafficking. Read More
Public News Service – January 24, 2020
Advocates: Human Trafficking Bill Would Help Children Sold by Families
A bill that would help child victims of sex trafficking get earlier help from state services would be instrumental for survivors to move forward with their lives, advocates say. Read more.
Argus Leader – January 23, 2020
Human Trafficking Round Table
On this edition of South Dakota Focus: we examine human trafficking. Read More
South Dakota Focus, SDPB – November 26, 2019
Shared Hope Highlights Call to Freedom Impact – Shared Hope International – 11.14.18
Compass Center, Call to Freedom Changing Spaces, Expanding Services – Argus Leader – 7.27.18
A Message from Becky Rasmussen, Call to Freedom Executive Director – 6.18
Life 96.5 Recaps Call to Freedom Hands & Feet – Life 96.5 – 4.18
End It Movement Reaches KELOLAND – KELO – 2.22.18
Nebraska Officials Crack Down on Sex Trafficking – KMTV – 1.29.18
Call to Freedom Receives 50k Grant – KELO – 1.17.18
KELOland Living – Call to Freedom – KELO – 1.15.18
Local Advocates Push Human Trafficking Awareness Month – KELO – 1.12.18
Awareness, intervention focuses of Anti-Human Trafficking Month – 1.12.18
A Call To Action On Human Trafficking – KELO – 1.11.18
Sioux Falls-based Nonprofit Raises Human Trafficking Awareness – KSFY – 1.11.18
Becky Rasmussen and Rep. Tom Holmes; Booneman; and Mike Cooper – The Patrick Lalley Show – 1.9.18
Sanford Award & Avera Tradition of Caring – KELOLAND – 1.7.18
Nine Arrested in Sturgis Rally Sex Trafficking Sting – Argus Leader – 8.16.17
Anti-Sex Trafficking Message Blankets Sturgis Before Motorcycle Rally – Argus leader – 8.6.17
YOURS: Combating Human Trafficking at the Rally – Rapid City Journal – 7.25.17
Texas Case Highlights Local Concern about Human Trafficking – KELOLAND – 07.24.17
A Closer Look at Human Trafficking in South Dakota – KSFY – 07.24.17
Groups Team Up to Fight Human Trafficking in the Hills – KEVN Black Hills Fox – 07.23.17
Who Are the Victims of Child Porn? – KELOLAND – 05.10.17
Victims, Survivors of Sexual Violence Use Art to Heal – KSFY – 3.30.17
Human Trafficking Troubles Continue in the Midwest – KSFY – 3.22.17
Wear Red to END-IT For a Sioux Falls and Nationwide Effort – KSOO 1140 AM -2.23.17
Prosecutors Dropped Trafficking Case After Losing Witness – Argus Leader – 2.8.17
Sex Trafficking Bill in the Legislature – KELOLAND – 2.8.17
New Rules Aim to Remove Sioux Falls as a ‘Destination City’ for Human Traffickers – Argus Leader – 2.6.17
South Dakota Legislature Reviews Bill Strengthening Sex Trafficking Laws – KSOO 1140 AM – 2.5.17
Sioux Falls Lawmaker Files Human Trafficking Bill – KELOLAND – 1.27.17
Raising Awareness Through Faith – KELOLAND – 1.11.17
Backpage.com Shuts Down Adult Section – KELOLAND – 1.11.17
Wear Blue for Human Trafficking Awareness Day – KIKN 100.5 – 1.10.17
Holiday Season Can Be Hard for Survivors of Human Trafficking – Argus Leader – 11.28.16
Human Trafficking Awareness Spread Across South Dakota – KSFY – 8.15.16
Nonprofit Organization That Helps Sex Trafficking Victims Expands – KDLT – 7.24.16
Tackling the Sex Trade in South Dakota – KELOLAND – 6.9.16
