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3 of 3 Premium Clicks used this month SUBSCRIBE Print + Online Subscriber Activation | Register x Forgot Password | Need an Account? e-edition | subscribe | newsletter | deals Home News Latest Stories 2-year-old drowns in irrigation ditch in Central Point Emergency services, April 5 Graduation rates among special ed students in Jackson County improve but fall short of 67 percent target Cute smiles, chubby cheeks win judges' hearts in annual Pear Blossom Baby Contest in Medford Learn about proposed 55-mile scenic bikeway outside Ashland Crime, Courts and Emergency Services Emergency services, April 5 Emergency services, April 4 Social media helped track down AmericanWest Bank robber, Medford police say Jury awards damages to Rogue River couple that lived next to noisy dogs U.S. Bank robbery suspect charged in Minute Market crime Politics and Elections Arthur I. Cyr: Afghanistan progress is uneven but undeniable Jackson County Commissioners plan no tax on marijuana for one year Arthur I. Cyr: Iran – a crisis without end Arthur I. Cyr: South Korea represents long-term triumph – for them and for US Special election: Jackson County voters OK marijuana tax Education Graduation rates among special ed students in Jackson County improve but fall short of 67 percent target New SOU board hikes tuition 5 percent Southern Oregon Education Service District superintendent to retire in June Which comes first: The rocket or the egg? Medford School District one of most accident-prone in state Environment A sea-foam change Rogue Valley lions on their way to California Corps hopes to clear Lost Creek Lake of debris Beetles taking toll on Ashland pines Mt. Ashland Ski Area to host party March 28 State News City rules drive Uber ride-hailing service out of Eugene District fires Oregon's 2014 Teacher of the Year Oregon lawmakers consider increasing highway speed limits State releases 94,000 emails from former first lady Cylvia Hayes Man accused of arson in Albany high school cafeteria fire Nation - World Obituaries William D. Enyart Gordon Geeseman Patricia Anne Johnson Patricia E. Rees Gary Dahl Weather Photo Galleries Since You Asked Videos Web Cams Mail Tribune 100 Shareable Sports Latest Stories J.B. Holmes takes Houston Open Okafor, Kaminsky took different paths to Indy Giants open title defense on road Healthy choice Kentucky player apologizes for obscenity, slur Varsity 541 College Sports Okafor, Kaminsky took different paths to Indy Healthy choice Kentucky player apologizes for obscenity, slur Ducks' Buckner sidelined for spring 'Cats go pfft!, not perfect Pro Sports J.B. Holmes takes Houston Open Giants open title defense on road Blazers again hit 50-win mark Timbers dump Dallas for first victory Spieth grabs one-shot lead at Houston Community Sports Business Latest Stories Silvio Calabi: Scion tC style hides its utility Road to health: Bike and pedestrian paths play greater role in transportation project funding Jackson County median home price hits $215,000 in first quarter Blog: The Season for Cleaning Blog: Nothing succeeds like ... a good wine promotion Real Estate News Jackson County median home price hits $215,000 in first quarter East McAndrews Road sees a resurgence in commercial projects Business briefs: March 7 People In Business People in Business, March 26, 2015 Transportation Road to health: Bike and pedestrian paths play greater role in transportation project funding Rogue Disposal plans natural gas fueling site Alaska, United Express boost Medford airport to record February Agriculture Broth maker leaves San Diego for Medford Opinion Latest Letters to the Editor, April 5 Our View: State income tax sharing run amok Dana Milbank: Bob Menendez should resign Guest Opinion: If Courtney kills bill, $15 minimum wage will go to the ballot Michael Gerson: The virtues of the smoke-filled room Editorials Our View: State income tax sharing run amok Other Views: Rethink gillnet ban on the Columbia Our View: Local water supplies are not unlimited Our View: Cheers and Jeers Our View: The tangled web at Medford's Northgate Centre Letters to the Editor Letters to the Editor, April 5 Letters to the Editor, April 3 Letters to the Editor, April 2 Letters to the Editor, April1 Letters to the Editor, March 31 Columns Dana Milbank: Bob Menendez should resign Guest Opinion: If Courtney kills bill, $15 minimum wage will go to the ballot Michael Gerson: The virtues of the smoke-filled room Guest Opinion: Phoenix embraces Bee City USA designation Matthew T. Mangino: Prison deaths on the rise Guest Opinions Guest Opinion: If Courtney kills bill, $15 minimum wage will go to the ballot Guest Opinion: Phoenix embraces Bee City USA designation Guest Opinion: Marijuana offers Oregon benefits, drawbacks Guest Opinion: How to end the influence of money in elections Guest Opinion: How schools teach U.S. history raises hackles Lifestyle Latest stories Silvio Calabi: Scion tC style hides its utility Southern Oregon Journal: The famous Southern Oregon Coast Easter lilies Adopt a Pet A little fiction is like salt Solving the caregiving riddle takes care Food Community blog: Light lemon souffles are an easy Easter treat Page H. Onorato: Leftover ham and eggs make for some yummy dishes after Easter The journey from inspiration to written recipe Tammy Kelly: Lighten up traditional Easter desserts Kitchen Call: Goat cheese recipes worth bleating over Home and Garden Carol Link: Pruning rose plants, step by step How often should you paint the outside of your house? Carol Link: It’s time to get into shape for spring yard work Dear Monty: Relocation brings pay raise and challenges Garden Cameos: Planning for a fragrant garden year round Health Health Watch: Work out like a pro athlete Brent St. Germain: Feeling the burn again HealthStyle: Normal anxiety or anxiety disorder? Community blog: How to Get Rid of a Tension Headache St. Mary's student helps others with diabetes Hiking Biking Faith Religion briefs: Friday, April 3 Religion briefs: Friday, March 27 Religion briefs Religion News: Presbyterian Church gives approval on same-sex marriage Religion briefs: Friday, March 13 Milestones and Achievements Haga-Parks Exercise helps special-needs kids adjust to airport procedures Columnist for a Day Rogue Healthy Aging Tempo Latest stories Here's Tempo's 5 picks for entertainment this week Live Music in Local Clubs A Country Cajun Revival comes to the Unitarian Ashland's First Friday Art Walk showcases new exhibits by regional artists New exhibits open at Schneider Museum of Art Theater Auditions for youth musical set at Camelot Review: From past into present in OSF's 'Long Day's Journey' ‘A Dream of Red Pavilions’ at the Oregon Shakespeare Festival Review: Education and its discontents Next Stage Repertory presents 'Educating Rita' at the Craterian Theater Music Elias String Quartet plays at Southern Oregon University Bluegrass band Siskiyou Summit plays Bell Fiore Winery Oregon Old-Time Fiddlers at the Ashland Community Center Live Music in Local Clubs A Country Cajun Revival comes to the Unitarian Community Events MailTribune.com rolls out new calendar Hip-Hop Poetry Open Mic at the Oregon Shakespeare Festival Easter egg hunts are a long-standing tradition in the Rogue Valley Get Up & Go: Friday, April 3 Ashland's First Friday Art Walk showcases new exhibits by regional artists Dining RESTAURANT INSPECTIONS: Sunday, April 5 The Laughing Clam in Grants Pass offers seafood-heavy menu Standing Stone owners to open Medford brewpub and restaurant Restaurant Inspections: March 29 Basque-inspired cuisine at Eleven in Ashland Tempo Videos Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED » Obits Blogs TV Listings Movie Listings Oregon Outdoors Oregon Healthy Living Special Sections Business Services NEWS NOW Graduation rates among special ed students in Jackson County improve but fall short of 67 percent target ... Our View: State income tax sharing run amok ... Guest Opinion: If Courtney kills bill, $15 minimum wage will go to the ballot ... Graduation rates among special ed students in Jackson County improve but fall short of 67 percent target ... Our View: State income tax sharing run amok ... Guest Opinion: If Courtney kills bill, $15 minimum wage will go to the ballot ... Survivor to share personal account of human trafficking, sexual slavery Natasha Herzig, keynote speaker at a sexual assault awareness seminar planned Wednesday in Ashland, will speak about surviving the brutal world of human trafficking — a world that rolls right through the Rogue Valley, police say. By Sanne Specht MailTribune.com By Sanne Specht Posted Apr. 5, 2011 @ 12:01 am Updated Apr 5, 2011 at 12:40 PM By Sanne Specht Posted Apr. 5, 2011 @ 12:01 am Updated Apr 5, 2011 at 12:40 PM What: Sexual Assault Awareness symposium --> When: 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, April 6 Where: Southern Oregon University Music Recital Hall Admission: Free For more information: Contact Ashland Police Detective Carrie Hull at carrie.hull@as... » Read more X What: Sexual Assault Awareness symposium When: 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, April 6 Where: Southern Oregon University Music Recital Hall Admission: Free For more information: Contact Ashland Police Detective Carrie Hull at [email protected] » Social News p bs:newslist StartDate="20121121" EndDate="p bs:datecalc Months="3"" DateSort="1" UseObjects="1" ObjectClass="81" Taxonomywords="2325,665" ExactTaxonomyMatch="1" Image="1" Count="4" --> Natasha Herzig, keynote speaker at a sexual assault awareness seminar planned Wednesday in Ashland, will speak about surviving the brutal world of human trafficking — a world that rolls right through the Rogue Valley, police say. "Natasha has been so courageous in telling her story," said Ashland police Detective Carrie Hull. "She is getting ready to testify against her kidnapper, her pimp. And she has just testified on Capitol Hill on sex trafficking." Portland is listed as a national hub for child sex trafficking. Herzig's story of terror and triumph began in a Northern California town. The Rogue Valley is on the Interstate 5 corridor between the two, Hull said. "I don't want to panic everyone," Hull said. "And I know these are difficult conversations to have. But it is simply too naive to believe sex trafficking is not happening here." It was spring 2001 when the then-19-year-old Herzig was approached in a well-populated mall by a woman who asked the pretty blond college student whether she wanted a job in the makeup industry. Herzig became uneasy during a follow-up meeting at a local restaurant. She excused herself on the pretext she needed to get her sweater from her car. Her plan was to leave and never come back. But it was too late. A man with a gun was waiting in the parking lot. She was forced into a black Mercedes. The man was James Vernon Joseph, aka "Spyder." He placed Herzig in "mental chains," breaking her down physically and mentally during her months of sexual slavery, Herzig said recently on "The Joy Behar Show," where she appeared with John Walsh, host of the "America's Most Wanted" television show. "Each day is a day of survival," Herzig said. To avoid the police attention of a missing person's case, Joseph had Herzig call her parents. Listening in on the calls, he coached her on precisely what to say, she said. "The entire time she was gone, her family thought she was fine," Hull said. "People think this only happens to kids who are out on the streets." Herzig said Joseph threatened to kill Herzig's family members, beat her on a regular basis, and forced her into prostitution. The pimp took Herzig and other young women to sporting events and conventions across the nation, selling them to men willing to pay thousands of dollars, Hull said. The trauma continued for 10 months until Herzig and another captive managed to escape in New York. Herzig said her breaking point came after seeing another victim beaten so badly her eye was nearly protruding from its socket. "I called somebody, and said, 'Please call my parents,' " she said. The police arrived. Herzig and her friend were saved. But Joseph was gone. Sexual assault experts know the process of recovery is never an easy one. Herzig's life was forever changed the day she was stolen. She told television producers it took years to reclaim her self-esteem. "When you feel like you're worth nothing, you're going to treat your body and yourself like you are worth nothing, and while you're healing you're making a lot of mistakes because you're trying to find out who you are," she said in an interview with "America's Most Wanted" producers. During that process, Herzig made a series of X-rated films. The media has hammered Herzig, Hull said, not understanding that acting out sexually can be a common experience among those who have been sexually abused. "There are reasons why that happened. She's been so courageous, knowing this is in her past. She could have turned to drug use or alcohol and people would have been much more understanding," Hull said. Herzig said in her interview with "Wanted" producers that girls who have survived sex trafficking often end up in clubs or on the streets because it is a reflection of their self-worth. "Your behaviors and actions that you display are now how you see yourself and that goes back to what you're being told when you're trafficked," she said. Herzig now is 29 years old, married and has children. She works with advocacy groups, is a guest speaker at law enforcement conferences and is doing what she can to bring awareness to sex trafficking. No specific laws regarding sex trafficking had been written until 2004, when the Child Protect Act was passed. In March, Herzig testified in Washington, D.C., in support of U.S. Sen. Ron Wyden's anti-sex-trafficking legislation, Hull said. Herzig is also preparing to testify against Joseph. The alleged pimp was arrested by U.S. marshals as he walked out of his upscale Woodland Hills, Calif., home just days before her story was told on Walsh's show. Joseph is slated to face charges for promoting prostitution and second-degree assault in New York. "I can't say enough about how courageous she has been. There are other victims of this guy who are afraid to (speak)," Hull said. Reach reporter Sanne Specht at 541-776-4497 or e-mail [email protected]. Correction: No tickets are required for admission or seating. By Sanne Specht MailTribune.com By Sanne Specht Posted Apr. 5, 2011 @ 12:01 am Updated Apr 5, 2011 at 12:40 PM » Comment or view comments /* $( document ).ready(function() { // Jquery mobile is trying to style the button and leaving a blank gry button on top of a white button $("#viafouracoms .vf-comment-controls li.vf-right").html(' Submit '); });*/ » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. calendar Connect with MailTribune.com Facebook Twitter RSS Back to top Reader Services Reader Services Home Subscriptions Subscriber controls Contact us Submissions Photos Events Letters to the editor Corrections Announcements Obituaries Story ideas Since you asked Alerts Email Alerts RSS Feeds Text Alerts Advertise Media Kit Home Products and services Ad rates Advertising contacts Mail Tribune Daily Tidings The Nickel Shop Our Valley Blogs Stay Informed Email newsletter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. 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