News – Human Trafficking Task Force

Project Hope Kits

Our Task Force routinely supplies our area law enforcement officers with Project Hope Kits to help victims of human trafficking that they encounter. If you can help, please consider donating any of the clothing, specific gift cards, or toiletry items that are needed for these kits. Donate Here Donations can be dropped off anytime during […]

Junior League of Billings

The Junior League of Billings Invites you to attend Tuesday, April 19, 2022. A panel discussion on the Fight Against Human Trafficking in Montana.

Penny Ronning

Co-Founder, Co-Chair, Board President, Steering Committee Member

As the daughter of a child victim of sexual violence, Penny Ronning learned early in life how trauma impacts families and how victims of childhood abuse live with the painful affects throughout their lives. During her years as a Court Appointed Special Advocate for abused and neglected children (CASA), Ms. Ronning again saw firsthand the impacts of sexual exploitation and violence on children. In 2016, Penny approached the FBI with an idea to create a community and law enforcement task force to fight human trafficking. Shortly thereafter, in coordination with the FBI and the United States Attorney’s Office, Penny Ronning and Stephanie Baucus partnered to co-found the Yellowstone County Area Human Trafficking Task Force, now the largest such task force in Montana.

Ms. Ronning has traveled throughout the state speaking on anti-trafficking work at the local, state, and federal levels of government, and she has trained thousands of people throughout Montana and the country on how to fight human trafficking. She has co-authored state legislation strengthening laws against crimes of sexual violence and has successfully increased funding for law enforcement at the state and local level. As an elected member of Billings City Council, Ms. Ronning successfully led on the creation and passage of a city ordinance that has effectively shut down the most illicit massage businesses within the state of Montana. In 2020, she was invited to participate in and attended the White House Summit on Human Trafficking.

Ms. Ronning volunteers her time helping to oversee the YCA Human Trafficking Task Force and helps communities build their resources to fight crimes of sexual violence, support victims, and strengthen laws to protect vulnerable populations and prosecute violent offenders. She also dedicates her time and energy to partnering with The National Center on Sexual Exploitation in championing federal legislation to protect
children from online predators and sexual exploitation.

Ms. Ronning earned a B.A. from Montana State University with a major in Film and an M.B.A. from the University of Mary. She lives in Billings with her two dogs and enjoys her work that takes her throughout the state and country.

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Project Hope Kits

Junior League of Billings

Michele L. Stewart

Zeno Baucus

Georgia Cady

Brandon Walter

Andrew Yedinak

Dr. Cynthia Brewer

Erin Lambert

Scott Koch

Penny Ronning

Melanie Tripp

Erin Walker

Stephanie Baucus