Kallan Arkeder: Syracuse University students have to look both ways before crossing the street for traffic. But it’s not this kind of traffic I’m talking about.
Kallan Arkeder: Students have been approached by a religious group named “Mother of God” and are fearful of it being a sex trafficking ring.
Taylor Scarpa: Everyone says if someone approaches you like even about this thing called ‘Mother God’ not to interact with it because it’s like code for like some type of sex trafficking or something.
Kallan Arkeder: Students read posts on social media telling them to beware of “Mother of God.” and that they are luring students into their bible study to kidnap them.
Taylor Scarpa: I was coming along Comstock and there were these two women and they kind of blocked me in a little. They were like well what do you know about ‘Mother God’ and immediately I thought of what I saw on social media. Could that like be a sex trafficking thing so I was like I don’t want to talk about it.
Kallan Arkeder: All over social media you can find posts from people sharing their experience with “Mother of God” recruiters.
Sarah Grinnell: She starts telling me about this church. She’s like oh like I run this church ‘Mother of God.’ And then I knew because I’d seen the posts on facebook and word of mouth that there were other people out there trying to recruit you for a bible study group. And luckily the crosswalk changed so I was able to walk away but it was really scary.
Kallan Arkeder: According to Chief John Sardino from the Department of Public Safety, this information surfaces every year but they don’t have any evidence that indicates these speculations are true.
John Sardino: We haven’t really determined that their intent is anything but bringing the word of the lord to campus.
Kallan Arkeder: If you or someone you know has been approached by a group non affiliated with Syracuse University, DPS recommends reporting the incident for further investigation. NCC News, Kallan Arkeder.
