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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Thursday, July 17, 2007
Contact: Tara Wall
(202) 401-9215
Campaign Launched in Nashville to
Identify, Assist Victims of Human Trafficking
Nashville, Tenn. – The U .S. Department of Health and Human Services’ (HHS) Administration for Children and Families (ACF) today announced the formation of its
19th Rescue & Restore coalition. Rescue & Restore coalitions are designed to raise awareness on the topic of human trafficking, help identify victims and connect victims to services. Based in Nashville this newest coalition is a collaboration between law enforcement, federal and local officials and community organizations to combat human trafficking. In conjunction with the U.S. Attorney’s office in Nashville, HHS’ Rescue & Restore Victims of Human Trafficking campaign is part of a nationwide effort to train those most likely to encounter victims of human trafficking.
“Human trafficking is the equivalent of modern-day slavery,” said Martha Newton, the director of HHS’ Office of Refugee Resettlement . “This partnership in Nashville is critical to help identify and assist more victims through increased awareness and involvement of the local community.”
“Our goal both in the United States and around the world is to stimulate action that will end modern-day slavery, focusing on the victim,” said Ambassador Mark P. Lagon, the director of the Office to Monitor and Combat Trafficking in Persons at the Department of State. “Events such as these in Nashville call attention to the extraordinary work of the local organizations helping victims.”
Coalition representatives gathered to officially launch the effort to rescue and restore victims in Nashville and surrounding communities. Members of the Nashville coalition include World Relief Nashville, Southern Migrant Legal Services, the Tennessee Department of Health and Human Services, Madison Street United Methodist Church, the Tennessee Coalition Against Domestic & Sexual Violence, YWCA of Nashville & Middle Tennessee and others.
“Human trafficking is a greed-driven crime committed by persons who have no regard for the health, welfare or dignity of their victims. The victims of this crime are real and they are some of the most helpless and vulnerable we see,” said United States Attorney Craig Morford of the Middle District of Tennessee. “That is why it so important that we do all we can to attack and dismantle the criminal organizations that prey on these helpless victims and that we work closely with a vast network of care organizations who can help assist the victims of this heartless crime.”
An estimated 14,500 to 17,500 people are trafficked into the United States annually. Victims are trafficked across international borders from such regions as Southeast Asia, Latin America, the former Soviet Union and Africa. Often, they are forced into sex and slave labor.
The Rescue & Restore Victims of Human Trafficking campaign aims to educate Americans about the problem of human trafficking and how they can “look beneath the surface” to help victims in their own community. The 24-hour National Human Trafficking Resource Center, 1.888.3737.888, provides instant referrals for victims’ services through social service organizations in the caller’s city. For more information on the Rescue & Restore campaign, visit www.acf.hhs.gov/trafficking.
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Note: All ACF news releases, fact sheets and other materials are available at www.acf.hhs.gov/opa/index.html.