2015 Chosen Advocates Association National Human Trafficking Summit at Infinity Park Glendale, Colorado
Victims
of sex trafficking become trapped in a prison of silence and bound by chains of
fear that are imbued with threats of extreme violence. As a victim of child sex
trafficking, there were many times that a health care worker armed with the
knowledge to recognize the suffering I endured could have changed my life.
Victims of human trafficking are denied the basic needs every person deserves
and access to health care is a tightly controlled commodity that leaves many
desperate and isolated from access due to the shame they bear and the lack of
specialized care they deserve. Chosen Advocates Association has courageously
moved to stand in the gap to build a refuge for victims of human trafficking
from the chaos and danger of the world they have become trapped in. The planned
facility will save countless lives and provide a beacon of hope in the darkness
that consumes the lives of sex trafficking victims. I wholeheartedly support
Chosen Advocates Association and their efforts to bring all victims and
survivors of human trafficking into the light of hope and into the arms of
recovery from all they have endured.
Please
join me on Friday September 11, 2015 for the
2015
Chosen Advocates Association NATIONAL HUMAN TRAFFICKING SUMMIT at Infinity
Park Events Center Ballroom, 4400 E. Kentucky Avenue. Glendale, Colorado 80246.
I will be a keynote speaker as well as presenting a seminar on trafficked boys:
Workshop
title: Trafficked Boys: Bringing male victims of sex trafficking out of the
shadows.
Workshop
description: Male victims of sex trafficking have historically been an
invisible population. Recent developments have begun to raise the curtain on
the expansive number of young boys being sexually trafficked in this country.
During my presentation, I will present a comprehensive look at the issue of
child sex trafficking and the evolution of the male victim. I will also present
strategies for the education and prevention of child sex trafficking and
discuss alternatives for the after care and recovery of male victims.
Also
joining me will be Susan Norris, author of Rescuing Hope, Dr. Laura Lederer -
President of Global Centurion Fighting Modern Slavery, Angela Graf, President
and Founder CAA, Heather Davis, Founder Mothers Against Human Trafficking
(MAHT), Dwayne and Terry Meeks, Executive Directors Urban Colors Arts &
Mentoring (UCAM) , Yvonne Williams, CEO and Founder Trafficking in America
Task Force-Human Trafficking in America (TIATF), Greg Bristol, retired FBI
agent who specialized in HT investigations.
Founder
of The Human Trafficking Training Institute (HTTI), CO State Legislator Rhonda
Fields, Polaris (TBD), and Celhia De Lavarene, Founder Stop Trafficking Of
People - STOP (STOP) international task force. (Mrs. De Lavaerne that has
participated in 3,000 rescues).
To
find out more or register for the event please visit the 2015 CAA NATIONAL
HUMAN TRAFFICKING SUMMIT website here:
I
hope to see everyone in Denver on September 11, 2015 when we will join together
to say we will no longer accept the heartache and pain of our loved ones and
friends being trafficked and sold by an evil that profits from the sale of a
child's innocence and the practice of rape for profit.
Warmest
Regards,
Jerome
Elam
Financial and Legal Resources for Victims of Sex Trafficking
Abolitionist William Wilberforce said, “You can choose to look the other way, but you can never say again you did not know.”
For Victims of Sex Trafficking:
Thistle Farms
Thistle Farms employs almost 60 Magdalene
residents or graduates. While working at Thistle Farms, women learn skills in
manufacturing, packaging, marketing and sales, and administration. It is a
supportive workplace where women acquire the skills they need to earn a living
wage. Employees have the opportunity to put a percentage of their earnings in a
matched savings account provided by Magdalene. Through Thistle Farms, the women
of Magdalene gain much needed job skills, and learn responsibility and
cooperation. Thistle Farms is housed in an 11,000 square feet sales and
manufacturing facility. Thistle Stop Cafe, and the paper and sewing studios are
also in the same building. We are committed to growing in order to employ more
women and have greater opportunities to share our stories of healing on a
larger scale.
Issues Affecting Women Programme (IAW)
In the Issues Affecting Women Programme (IAW),
we fund two priority areas (pillars): movement building and ending violence
against women. Within the first pillar, we fund initiatives that promote
movement building through women's funds, "anchor” women’s organisations
and networks. Within the second pillar, we focus more specifically on: human
trafficking and exploitation; intra-familial violence; and violence against
women that takes place in situations of crisis.
FULL-RIDE SCHOLARSHIP FOR SEX TRAFFICKING VICTIMS IN THE WORKS AT CHRISTIAN COLLEGE
Sabre sets up first-ever educational scholarship program for human trafficking survivors -
See more at: http://www.sabre.com/newsroom/sabre-sets-up-first-ever-educational-scholarship-program-for-human-trafficking-survivors/#sthash.qssMsbwW.dpuf
University of Michigan Free Legal Services for Human Trafficking Victims:
The
HTC is the first legal clinic solely dedicated to human trafficking in
the United States. It offers students at the University of Michigan Law
School the opportunity to gain practical skills in the legal fields
related to helping victims of human trafficking. The students in the
clinic also run community outreach and education initiatives and conduct
research about the state of laws relating to human trafficking. Not
only do the students gain valuable advocacy skills, they have been and
will continue to be instrumental in protecting victims' rights, in
shaping the policy conversation, and in drafting the language used in
amendments to trafficking laws.
http://www.law.umich.edu/clinical/humantraffickingclinicalprogram/Pages/default.aspx
THOSE MOST VULNERABLE TO HUMAN TRAFFICKING ARE IN OUR SCHOOLS AND YOUTH ORGANIZATIONS
In the United States, the average age of entry into sexual slavery is 13, and about 80% of sex buyers do so for the first time before age 25.
NEST equips teachers and youth leaders with age-appropriate curriculum and resources to educate and empower youth – teaching them how to avoid being trafficked, how to stand up for victims of trafficking, and how to spread the word in their communities so that sexual exploitation and human trafficking become a thing of the past.
http://nesteducators.org
National Educators to Stop Trafficking
THOSE MOST VULNERABLE TO HUMAN TRAFFICKING ARE IN OUR SCHOOLS AND YOUTH ORGANIZATIONS
In the United States, the average age of entry into sexual slavery is 13, and about 80% of sex buyers do so for the first time before age 25.
NEST equips teachers and youth leaders with age-appropriate curriculum and resources to educate and empower youth – teaching them how to avoid being trafficked, how to stand up for victims of trafficking, and how to spread the word in their communities so that sexual exploitation and human trafficking become a thing of the past.
http://nesteducators.org
How To Identify A Human Trafficking Victim
• Seems anxious, fearful or paranoid. Avoids eye contact.• Tearfulness or signs of depression.
• Unexplained bruises or cuts or other signs of physical abuse.
• Appears to be in a relationship with someone who is dominating.
• Never is alone and/or always has someone translating or answering questions on their behalf.
• Not in control of their own finances.
• Presents with secrecy or unable to answer questions about where they live.
• Inconsistent details when telling their story.
• Has no identification such as a license, passport or other ID documents.
Inability to leave their job or residence. Says they cannot schedule appointments.
Being a recent arrival to the United States and does not speak English.
Is under 18 and providing commercial sex acts. Or at any age unwillingly providing commercial sex acts.
Is afraid of law enforcement or receiving help from an outside entity.
If you can find an opportunity to get he/she alone, ask him/her the following screening questions:
Can you leave your job or house when you want?
Where did you get those bruises or is anyone hurting you?
Do you get paid for your employment? Is it fair? How many hours do you work?
(If foreign national) How did you get to the U.S. and is it what you expected? Are you being forced to do anything you don't want to do?
Are you or your family being threatened?
Do you live with or near your employer? Does your employer provide you housing? Are there locks on doors or windows from outside?
Do you owe debt to anyone?
If you suspect they are a victim of human trafficking,take the following actions:
Ask the person if you can help them find a safe place to go immediately.
If they need time, create an action plan with them to get to a safe place when they are ready.
Call and make a report to the human trafficking hotline at 1.888.3737.888. The hotline has language capabilities, so any individual can call directly if they choose.
The Department of Homeland Security online training about how to spot the signs of and report suspected human trafficking:
The Department of Homeland Security's Blue Campaign is now offering online training about how to spot the signs of and report suspected human trafficking. The training is aimed at the general public, the Federal workforce, first responders, and airline employees and focuses on:• Defining human trafficking
• Differentiating between human trafficking and human smuggling
• Recognizing populations vulnerable to human trafficking
• Recognizing indicators of human trafficking
A glossary and additional resources also are provided. View the Human Trafficking Awareness Training on the Department of Homeland Security's website:
http://www.dhs.gov/xlibrary/training/dhs_awareness_training_fy12/launchPage.htm
Jerome Elam
Staff Writer and Columnist for Communities Digital News http://www.commdiginews.com
Read my column here:
A Heart Without Compromise; Advocating for Children:
http://www.commdiginews.com/column/a-heart-without-compromise-advocating-for-children-2/
Follow me on Social Media:
Stories by Jerome Elam : Contently
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An end to silence blog by Jerome Elam :http://bit.ly/J17wWz
"The world is a dangerous place, not because of those who do evil, but because of those who look on and do nothing." - Albert Einstein
Always remember that you are never alone and that others have walked the healing path before you and are here to lift you up! Also remember that as survivors and victims, alone we may be strong but together we are unbeatable!
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