A Closer Look at the Sex Trafficking of Local Girls
On Thursday, January 20, 2011, WFA collaborated with Seattle City Council, Seattle Human Services Department, YouthCare and Women’s Funding Network to host
Over 650 people came together for a powerful evening that included information and discussion about the national and local trends on this issue, what’s being done to help the victims, and how our area is prosecuting the predators (johns) and sellers (pimps). This event was part of a larger national movement of women’s funds from around the country to educate the public and spark action to protect our children and bring justice to criminals engaged in this activity.
Audience members were given information on actions they can take to end this exploitation of girls (see below). And we invite you to join us in each of these action steps! Additionally, if you would like to be kept abreast of latest information and future opportunities for action please join our online community to sign up for email alerts and news.
TAKE ACTION TODAY
What YOU can do to end sex trafficking of local girls
- Reach out to girls in your life that may be at risk: http://afuturenotapast.org/resources/warning-signs/
- Support organizations working to end sexual and domestic violence in Seattle. You can also donate to the Prostituted Children’s Rescue Fund through the City of Seattle. This fund supports The Bridge and the residential recovery program for commercially sexually exploited children. Please visit the City website to learn more about this issue and to make a donation at: http://www.seattle.gov/humanservices/domesticviolence/prostitutedyouth/
WATCH THE TOWN HALL FORUM
IN OUR OWN BACKYARD: A Closer Look at the Sex Trafficking of Local Girls (Seattle Channel)
THANK YOU to all the attendees, speakers, collaborators, sponsors, endosers and volunteers who helped to make this event successful.
MODERATOR
- C.R. Douglas, Host, Seattle Channel
FEATURED SPEAKERS
- Deborah Richardson, Chief Program Officer, Women’s Funding Network
- Tim Burgess, Seattle City Council Member
- Debra Boyer, Ph.D, Boyer Research
- Leslie Briner, MSW, Associate Director of Residential Programs, YouthCare
- James Vugel, Assistant Chief, Seattle Police Department
- Sean O’Donnell, Senior Deputy Prosecuting Attorney, King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office
PRESENTING SPONSORS
SUPPORTING SPONSORS
- aShadow Graphic Design
- KPCQ-TV (Q13 Fox)
- Odyssey Seafood
- Seattle Channel
- Seattle Woman Magazine
- Washington’s Most Wanted
ENDORSERS
This event is also endorsed and supported by:
- Asian & Pacific Islander Women & Family Safety Center
- BABES Network: YWCA of Seattle - King - Snohomish
- Breast Cancer Resource Center
- CityClub
- Economic Opportunity Institute
- Hilltop Artists
- Jewish Women's Funding Network
- King County Coalition Against Domestic Violence
- King County Sexual Assault Resource Center
- Kittitas Valley Counseling Center, LLC
- Northwest Indian College
- Philanthropy Northwest
- Planned Parenthood of the Great Northwest
- Port of Seattle
- Powerful Voices
- Real Escape from the Slave Trade (REST)
- Robin Shapiro, LICSW
- Seattle Women's Commission
- Seattle Youth Violence Prevention Initiative
- Tierra Madre Fund
- United Way of King County
- University of Washington Women's Center
- Washington Anti-Trafficking Engagement
- Washington Community Alliance for Self-Help (WA CASH)
- Washington Women’s Foundation
- YouthCare
- YWCA Pierce County
- YWCA Seattle-King-Snohomish
ESSAY BY PALOMA PINEDA
Thirteen-year-old Paloma Pineda attended our forum and had just started her project on sex trafficking. She passed along her completed essay, titled Human Trafficking: The Effects on the Victim, which she is using to educate her peers on this critical issue.
