Action Alert: Justice for Victims of Trafficking Act

Please Ask Senator Leahy to Consider the  

Justice for Victims of Trafficking Act!

  

The Justice for Victims of Trafficking Act (JVTA) (S. 1738) provides funding and protections for victims of human trafficking here in the United States. It is the ONLY comprehensive legislation that provides funding for critical services victims need to heal and training for law enforcement so that they can better respond to victims and identify and prosecute traffickers.

 

We Need Your Help

On Friday May 30, please join national advocacy groups in calling Senator Patrick Leahy's (D-VT) office to let him know that you want him to put JVTA on the calendar for the Judiciary Committee. The House has already passed JVTA, so now we need Senator Leahy, as the Chair of the Judiciary Committee, to take up the legislation in the Senate if we want it to actually become law!  

 

Call (202) 224-4242 and ask to speak with Emily Livingston.

 

Use the talking points below to guide your discussion:

• I am an advocate calling to ask Senator Leahy to put the Justice for Victims of Trafficking Act (S.1738) on the calendar so that it can be considered by the Judiciary Committee.
• JVTA is the ONLY comprehensive human trafficking legislation that provides funding and resources so that child victims of trafficking can receive critical services they need to heal.
• JVTA promotes interagency collaboration, which allows for law enforcement, child advocacy centers, social service agencies, healthcare providers, legal services programs, courts, and housing agencies to provide safety for child victims.
• JVTA clarifies existing laws, making it clear that those that abuse and buy children for sex must be held accountable for the harm they cause by law enforcement and prosecutors.
• Just last week, the House passed the JVTA unanimously on a 409-0 vote. We hope that the Senate can show similar support for our domestic victims of trafficking.

Background on Justice for Victims Trafficking Act

JVTA was originally introduced November 19, 2013 by Senators John Cornyn (R-TX), Ron Wyden (D-OR), Mark Kirk (R-IL), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), and Marco Rubio (R-FL), the bill now has 20 bipartisan co-sponsors (13 R - 7D)!  The House passed an amended version of the bill by unanimous consent on May 20, 2014, but it has to be taken up in the Senate if we want this important legislation to become law.

 

The Justice for Victims of Trafficking Act (JVTA) addresses domestic sex trafficking in four critical ways:

1. Creates a fund for domestic victims of trafficking using fines for certain enumerated crimes.
2. Corrects administrative barrier within the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) denying U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents (LPRs) access to services and support available to foreign victims of trafficking.
3. Encourages cross-system collaboration between law enforcement, child welfare systems, juvenile justice officials, courts, and victim service organizations (and where applicable tribal authorities).
4. Reduces demand for sex trafficking by calling on law enforcement and prosecutors to investigate and prosecute buyers, not just pimps/exploiters. 

(Source)

It's That Simple To Make An Impact

I hear many people ask the question "What can I do?"  I heard at a conference not too long ago that if you don't know what to do then find someone who does and help them.  Truckers Against Trafficking (TAT) knows what to do.  They recognize that truck stops are a prime spot where trafficking happens.  They recognize that truckers are the eyes and ears of the nation's highways and are in a unique position to identify potential victims. 

 

A while back our group had the chance to hear a representative from TAT speak.  One of our volunteers was so impacted by that talk that she has stepped out and taken action.  She took a bunch of the TAT wallet cards that were available that night and carries them around in her car.  Each time she sees a truck parked somewhere she will go over and hand the driver one of the cards and tell them to call the number listed on it if they should ever see anything suspicious. 

 

I was with her one of the times she did this and was able to get a picture of her in action.  She explained to the trucker who TAT was, what they were about and how he could help.  He was very open to speaking with her and said that he had many friends that were on the road trucking and that he would share it with them.  He also said he would post something on his Facebook page. Our volunteer simply spent 5-10 minutes talking to this trucker, but the rippling effect of those few minutes is now going to reach many more.  It's that simple to make an impact!

She has also inspired me.  I now have a sandwich baggie full of TAT wallet cards in my car. 

You can visit the Truckers Against Trafficking website to learn more about their organization and how you can get involved.  Take the time to watch the training video posted on their home page.  I guarantee it will leave you with the desire to do something. 

They have materials that can be ordered right from the website.  Maybe you want to order wallet cards just like our volunteer has and keep them in your car.  A wallet card just like this can have an impact like this story from the TAT website:

Mr. Speaker, Mike, a truck driver, pulled over at a rest stop. He noticed a young girl approaching multiple trucks. The girl, who was clearly under age, came up to his cab and offered him sex for money. She seemed scared, and he asked her a few questions. She told him that, if she did not bring in enough money for her trafficker, the beatings by him would get worse. Thank goodness she had the courage to call for help. Mike understood the signs of human trafficking through an organization called Truckers Against Trafficking. He called the National Human Trafficking Resource Center, and authorities immediately arrived. The trafficker was arrested, put in jail, and the girl was rescued. I commend Truckers Against Trafficking. It is critical for our citizens to be educated about sex trafficking so we can end this scourge. America cannot continue to be blissfully silent while modern-day slavery is occurring in our communities. And that's just the way it is.
-Congressman Ted Poe addressing the House Floor on 2-15-13

Do You Know About Amazon Smile?

Did you know you can raise money for your favorite charity or non-profit organization just by shopping online with Amazon?

It's true!  And it's really easy.

It's called Amazon Smile and you use it the same way you use Amazon.  It has the same products and pricing as Amazon.  You even use the same account, password, wish list and other account settings as Amazon. 

If you already have an Amazon account simply log in to www.smile.amazon.com. 

Once you are logged in you can search from over a million charity organizations.  You can even search by category.  A simple search of "trafficking" resulted in 543 choices including such great organizations as:

Polaris Project
Refuge For Women
Agape International Mission
Truckers Against Trafficking
Exodus Cry

Simply select the organization of your choice and start shopping as you normally would.  The organization you chose will automatically be saved for future purchases.  And you can change your selection at any time.

Amazon will donate 0.5% of your eligible purchase to you selected choice.

And that makes me smile!

To learn more go Here

Action Alert: Contact the FCC

The FCC (Federal Communications Commission) is responsible to enforcing decency standards on broadcast TV and radio, which prohibits profanity and nudity.
Yet, the FCC currently wants to allow nudity and profanity on broadcast TV. You can read the press release from the FCC here.

Specifically, if enacted, the new FCC policy would allow network television and local radio stations to air the f-word, the s-word and to allow programs to show frontal female nudity, even during hours when they know children will be watching and listening.
There's a new chairman (Tom Wheeler) about to be confirmed who can stop this change.

Take Action Now

1. Call Your Senator

Ask that they withhold confirmation of proposed new FCC Chairman Tom Wheeler until he commits to enforce decency standards.
Dial (202) 224-3121 and ask to speak to one of the Senators from your state.
Download a proposed call script here.

2. Email Your Senators, President Obama and the FCC Commissioners

Share

Take Action

Enter Your Contact Info

Mr Mrs Ms

Select Message Recipients

Your U.S. Senator

Tom Wheeler

Proposed New FCC Chairman

FCC Commissioners

Customize Your Message

Dear [Recipient's Name],

Dear Senator, We are writing to ask that you oppose Tom Wheeler, President Obama’s nominee to chair the Federal Communications Commission, unless he agrees to lead a vigorous effort to enforce the federal decency law, 18 U. S. C. 1464, which prohibits indecency and profanity on broadcast TV and on radio. Mr. Wheeler was given the opportunity to take a stand on decency enforcement during his nomination hearing but instead sidestepped the issue. Senator Tim Scott (R-SC) asked Mr. Wheeler, “Where would you take the broadcast decency policy?” In response, Mr. Wheeler’s recognized that indecency is a problem, referencing concern for his grandchildren, but did not discuss enforcement. Mr. Wheeler can’t just say there is a problem; he needs to say how he will use his enforcement authority as FCC chairman to fix it. The American public has a right to decency at home. No network or shock jock has any right to invade that sacred space with indecent programming. Yet, the immediate past chairman of the FCC, Julius Genachowski, refused to bring even one enforcement action on indecency during his four years in office. The FCC is the guardian of decency on broadcast TV and radio. The next FCC chair needs to show leadership on the issue and enforce the law, which he is free to do after the U. S. Supreme Court decision in FCC V. Fox of last June. It is time for the Commission to do its job and ensure the public airwaves are not filled with nudity and profanity. There is no question that broadcast decency is a critical issue with the American public. More than 100,000 people submitted comments recently to the FCC in opposition to a proposed weakening of decency enforcement standards. Only the networks and a handful of their supporters were for the proposal. The American people have had enough. We will be patient no longer. We will not sit by while the public airwaves are filled with pornographic images and profane speech. Senator, you have an opportunity to clarify Mr. Wheeler’s views on the enforcement of the Federal decency law before the U. S. Senate votes on his confirmation and we ask you to do so now.

 

Please keep me informed on similar issues

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 Make your voice heard

Local Event: Book Club "Refuse To Do Nothing"

Join us for a discussion of:  Refuse To Do Nothing: Finding Your Power To Abolish Modern Day Slavery

 

This is a great book to introduce you do the subject of human trafficking. It was written for the everyday person and seeks to encourage you into action.

Slavery didn't end in 1833, when William Wilberforce's decades-long campaign finally resulted in the Slavery Abolition Act. It didn't end in 1863, when Abraham Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation. It didn't end in 1949, when the United Nations declared trafficking "incompatible with the dignity and worth of the human person." The sad truth is, slavery never ended. It just went underground, where it continues to exploit powerless men, women and children in horrific ways throughout the world. Now for the good news: you have power. In Refuse to Do Nothing, "Abolitionist Mamas" Shayne Moore and Kimberly Yim share their stories of coming to terms with the power available to them in their normal, everyday lives

Purchase the book Refuse To Do Nothing by Shayne Moore and Kimberly McOwen Yim

Available on Amazon or order through your local Barnes and Noble

Read on your own and then join us for a discussion on June 26^th from 7-9pm

Willow Creek Community Church
220 Exchange Drive

 

Week 1: 5/26-6/1
Read Intro, Chapters 1-4, and reflect on end of chapter questions

Week 2: 6/2-6/8
Read Chapters 5-8 and reflect on end of chapter questions

Week 3: 6/9-6/15
Read Chapters 9-12 and reflect on end of chapter questions

Week 4: 6/16-6/22
Read Chapters 13-15, Epilogue, and reflect on end of chapter questions

What is the TVPRA? Act Now

January is Human Trafficking and Sex Slavery Awareness month.  Some of this information was contained in a previous post, but it's so important that it deserves it's own post. 

The TVPRA stands for the Trafficking Victims Protection Reauthorization Act.  The TVPA is the centerpiece of all U.S. laws against human trafficking and created the first comprehensive federal law to address human trafficking and modern-day slavery.  It was first introduced in 2000 and subsequently renewed in 2003, 2005 and 2008. The current TVPRA of 2008 expired on September 30, 2011.  In late 2012, there was a push to get it reauthorized, but congress failed to do so. 

The TVPA was designed to combat trafficking in the U.S. by increasing the charges of trafficking from a misdemeanor to a felony crime.  It also provides assistance for survivors and visa protection for victims that have been trafficked across international borders.  It also established a global minimum standard for confronting trafficking and slavery as published in the The Trafficking in Persons report.  This report examines the status of 184 countries for both human trafficking violations and efforts to stop human trafficking. Those efforts include passing prohibitive legislation, arrests of perpetrators, and convictions following arrests.

Is your Senator on the list for supporting the TVPRA?

You can increase the chances that the bill is revived in the new Congress by showing support for reintroduction.  Contact your state senators and and ask them to support the reintroduction and immediate passage of the Trafficking Victims Protection Reauthorization Act (TVPRA). Visit here for a Sample Letter. Visit here for a Sample Phone Call

You can also take the 100 postcard challenge issued by IJM.  Sign up here to have IJM mail you 100 Abolition Postcards, along with instructions and helpful tips. You collect signatures from friends, family, colleagues, etc and mail them back to IJM in the envelope provided.  The postcards will be delivered to your Member of Congress' offices in Washington, D.C. by IJM. 

This is a great opportunity to make your voice heard.

Take Action to Stop Backpage

If you aren't familiar with Backpage.com please read my post The Ugly Truth

FAIR Girls has created an online ad that tells the true story of what happened to a 13-year-old girl who was sold on Backpage.  The ad also dispels the myth that girls are always trafficked by someone they don't know.  The fact is that in 46% of the cases the victim knows her captor.

It is estimated that Backpage.com generates about $29 million in prostitution ads over a 12 month period.

FAIR Girls has also started on online petition to urge the owners to stop the site's adult section where young women and girls are advertised and purchased for sex.  It's already gotten more than 41,000 signatures.  You can take action and  Sign the Petition Here

You can also write your senators and inquire what is being done to stop Backpage ads in your state.  If you aren't sure who your senators are you can search by zip code at Congress.org  Once you search, click on each individual for their contact information. 

Christmas Gifts that Give Back

With Christmas just around the corner most of us will be doing lots of shopping for our friends and family.   Why not shop for something that goes beyond just the gift itself?  There are many organizations and shops whose proceeds go towards helping those in need.  I wanted to highlight some of my favorite that help women and children who have been or are at risk of being trafficked.

WAR Chest Boutique is an arm of Women at Risk International.  Traffic victims are given shelter and care in one of their 5 safe houses and trained with a skill to help them go forward in life.  The items are sold online at their website, but they also have 3 store front locations in Naperville, IL as well as Wyoming and Rockford, MI.  They sell many different types of items, but this is one of my favorites.  A metal engraved bookmark made by a woman in Thailand.   Cost $10

Freeset offers women of the Sonagichi red-light district of Kolkata employment and the opportunity leave a profession they never chose.  Some of the women working there being as young as thirteen.  Freeset sells quality jute bags and organic cotton t-shirts.

Freeset has also teamed up with the MOB Society to offer this cute bag.  With 250 bags purchased, they can rescue FOUR WOMEN out of trafficking and train them for freedom.  These MOB Society bags are especially designed with blue-hued recycled sari’s (the dresses the beautiful women wear.)  Each bag is made by a woman freed from human trafficking. To read more or to purchase one of these bags go Here.


IJM (International Justice Mission) is a human rights agency that brings rescue to victims of slavery, sexual expoitation and other forms of violent oppression. This Christmas CD was written and performed by many of the biggest names in Christian music.   Every CD purchase helps to rescue another victim of Slavery.  Family Christian stores are selling for just $5.   Purchase online here

World Vision is a Christian relief, development and advocacy organization dedicated to working with children, families and communities to overcome poverty and injustice.  As a family you might want to purchase something from their catalog to help victims of human trafficking.  You can read more about that idea in my World Vision Post

Books - Give yourself or someone else the gift of knowledge.  While this subject is a hard one, it is one that needs to be made known.  Sold is the story of what typically happens to young girls living in Nepal who are smuggled into India and sold into prostition.  You can read my review Here or purchase from Amazon.

Half the Sky is a book that has started a whole movement.  It is a passionate call to arms against our era’s most pervasive human rights violation: the oppression of women and girls in the developing world.  Takes on the problems of sex trafficking and forced prostitution, gender-based violence, and maternal mortality. This book has moved many people to action.  Purchase from Amazon.

Do you have a Coffee lover to shop for?  The The Catalyst Foundation works passionately in Vietnam to prevent human trafficking by attacking its root cause - poverty and ignorance. They've teamed up with Vietnamese Coffee  to offer coffee where a portion of the proceeds will be donated directly to this worthy cause.

The Somaly Mam Foundation was Co-founded by sex slavery survivor Somaly Mam who was sold into sex slavery as a young child in Cambodia.  The foundation works to eradicate sex slavery, liberate its victims, and empower survivors to create and sustain lives of dignity. Buy a survivor-made product and help a survivor become financially self-sufficient as she embraces her new life. Wear your heart and hand to reflect your compassion for the enslaved, and your commitment to securing their freedom.



Freedom Firm is dedicated to the liberation of children enslaved in commercial sexual exploitation, to their effective rehabilitation, and to justice against those who have profited from their misery.  They sell beautiful hand-crafted jewelry made by women rescued from prostitution in India. Like this bracelet for $15.  Visit Ruhamah Designs to see more.


Sak Saum is a ministry that offers rescue, rehabilitation and restoration to vulnerable  women who have experienced the devastation of trafficking in Cambodia.  100% of the sales from the online store go back into Sak Saum's ministry budget for salaries, housing, transportation, healthcare, educational opportunities and more.  This super cute Apron Set for Mother and Daughter is $40.  Prices include shipping!

Love 146  works toward the abolition of child trafficking and exploitation through prevention and aftercare. They get their name from the number of a girl being sold in a brothel.  The ID number 146 was pinned to her red dress.  Love146 trains aftercare workers, multiplies safehomes, aids socioeconomic development programs in high risk communities and provides a voice for these victims of modern-day slavery.  For the man in your life, how about this T-shirt with the Martin Luther King quote? $20.

For the person who has everything how about Donating to a Cause in their name?  There are many great organizations out there.  I recently highlighted the work of Ink 180 in this post Here.  They are doing amazing work to help victims of human trafficking.

Or simply shop from a Fair Trade retailer.  I will talk more about Fair Trade in a future post, but here is a quick explanation.  Fair Trade retailers adhere to standards such as those banning child and slave labor and guaranteeing a safe workplace.

Happy Shopping...

I have linked up with Women Livng Well

Beyond the Shoebox

The past few Christmas seasons we have participated in Samaritan Purse shoebox drive.  As a family we would shop for simple items from a suggestion list for either a girl or boy, pack the items in a shoebox and drop them off at a local church.  The shoeboxes are then sent to needy children around the world.  If you would like to do this the National Drop off week is this week, November 12-19, 2012.  You can search their website for a donation drop off point near you. 




This year though we are going to do something a little different thanks to an idea I heard from one of the ladies in my bible study.  Our family sponsors a child through World Vision and each year around this time we receive a gift giving catalog from them.  Normally, I don't pay much attention to it and it eventually ends up being recycyled.  But this year we are going to choose an item from the catalog and bless someone with the gift.  Perhaps a gift from the catalog can bring happiness as well as a way to improve their circumstances.  Bringing blessings for days, months and years to come. 

There are a variety of items to choose from.  From school supplies to farm animals.  They even include help, hope and shelter for trafficked victims.  We won't be picking one of those as a family as my kids are too young to have something like that explained to them, but I love that they have this option available.  My youngest wants to send a bible in the childs own language and my older one is still deciding.  Perhaps this will become a family tradtion.  One that they can carry on once they begin their own families. 

We are so blessed in our country. We have so much compared to other places.

• Did you know that if you have food in the refrigerator, clothes on your back, a roof overhead and a place to sleep, you are richer than seventy five percent of the people in the world?
• Do you own a car?   93% of the world population doesn’t. And here in America most families have 2 cars.
• Almost half the world's population, 2.1 billion people, live on less than $2 a day. Of these people, 880 million live on less than $1 a day.

What a wonderful gift to give your children. Teaching them how blessed they are. Teaching them compassion - to think about those who are more needy than they are. Give them the gift of joy that comes from blessing another person.

Give a gift. Change a life.

When we show compassion and choose to bless someone else, we are ultimately blessing Christ and bringing glory to Him.

Matthew 25:40  "The King will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.'


World Vision Gift Catalog






I have linked up with Women Living Well, New Life Steward and NOBH