A spokesperson for Southeast Coalition Against Trafficking says exploitation against children is a lot broader than the extreme cases of trafficking we see on television.

The coalition held its second annual Grandmothers Walk in Steinbach Saturday. Since 2007, Manitobans of all ages have been following the wisdom of grandmothers and walking together to raise awareness about the need to protect children from sexual exploitation.

"This is really an issue that is a lot broader than the human trafficking we may have seen in film or on TV or the really extreme kinds of stories of trafficking that get reported in the news," says Stephanie Klassen.

She notes it can be more subtle. Klassen says it happens when someone in a position of authority manipulates a child into doing something that is absolutely wrong.

"That doesn't change based on which community you live in or how urban or how rural, those kinds of things," notes Klassen. "Children are just as at risk when they are with adults."

Klassen says she was involved with a Grandmothers Walk in northeastern Manitoba about five years ago and wanted to bring this campaign to her home community. She thinks it is important to have these difficult conversations, noting the original walk in 2007 happened because grandmothers wanted to take a stand after a family did not receive the support they should have after experiencing a tragic event of child abuse.

"We need to rally together and have (conversations) in a community setting so that we all feel equipped and well informed instead of making a really intense emotional response to this stuff," she adds.

Klassen notes the team that makes up this coalition is comprised of representatives who work with youth in the community, those who work with RCMP, those who have aided people who have experienced violence, people working with the school system, those in Churches and even mental health.

"We're fortunate to have such a well informed team," she says. "And people who are in all kinds of different places in our community to then spread the word or make sure best practices are happening in those places as well."

Klassen says if you held a lecture on this topic, it could be really informative, but is not very approachable or accessible. She notes by hosting a walk, they are making a public stand and by walking past places where youth hang out, they are letting those children know they are genuinely cared for.

"I know a walk is symbolic," says Klassen. "This symbol of coming together, we're willing to have this conversation."