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TRAFFICKING AWARENESS MONTH, JANUARY 2017
JOIN US FOR DULUTH'S FIFTH ANNUAL COMMUNITY GATHERING TO HONOR AND SUPPORT VICTIMS AND SURVIVORS OF TRAFFICKING. MONDAY, JANUARY 9, 2017 NOON-1:00 PM TREPANIER HALL 212 W. SECOND ST., Duluth, MN MAYOR EMILY LARSON ALONG WITH CITY LEADERS WILL SPEAK. A RED SHAWL HEALING CEREMONY WILL BEGIN THE PROGRAM. COMMUNITY AND LEAGUE MEMBERS ARE INVITED AND ENCOURAGED TO ATTEND TO LEARN HOW TOGETHER WE CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE. SEX TRAFFICKING. IT'S HERE. HELP END IT! CO-SPONSORS TO DATE: Woodland Hills, Neighborhood Youth Services, Cambia Hills, Lutheran Social Service, League of Women Voters Duluth, AAUW (American Association of University Women), Life House, PAVSA, Men As Peacemakers, Lake County Sex Trafficking Task Force, North Homes, St. Louis County Public Health and Human Services, First Methodist Church, Duluth Sister Cities International, Duluth Seaway Port Authority, Native Sisters Society, Mending the Sacred Hoop, AICHO, Duluth Public Library, Unitarian Universalist Congregation Duluth, Essentia Health. |
2017 January Trafficking Awareness Month Area Events
January 2017 marks Duluth’s fifth annual community observance of Trafficking Awareness Month. The League of Women Voters Duluth, along with a number of other organizations, is sponsoring several events during January to raise awareness around the commercial sexual exploitation and trafficking of girls and women in the Twin Ports area. League members are encouraged to attend the following programs to learn how, as individuals and as an organization, we can make a difference. January 9, 2017: Press conference to kick-off Trafficking Awareness Month events, Noon-1:00 PM, Trepanier Hall, 212 W. Second Street. The focus of this event is to highlight how community members are and can join together to end trafficking. “Sex Trafficking. It’s Here. Help End it. “ January 17, 2017: Panel Discussion with Jeff Bauer, Family Partnership, “Safe Harbor for All”, Zinema Theatre, 222 E. Superior Street. Watch for a future E-News for more information. February 11, 2017: Nepali dinner, Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Duluth, 835 W. College St., 5:00 PM, to raise funds for PAVSA’s Emergency Fund for Victims and Survivors of Trafficking. The dinner will be catered by Shunu Shrestha who was born and raised in Nepal and is the current Trafficking Program Coordinator for the Duluth area. Seating is limited, so make a reservation early. If interested, contact Gail at gail4duluth@gmail.com. 2017 January Trafficking Awareness Month Area Events January 4, Two Harbors.4:30 PM, Annual Press Conference and Candlelight Vigil, Atrium (second floor), Lake County Courthouse. January 12, 7:00 PM, Documentary, “With Impunity”, Two Harbors Community Center. January 14, Fond du Lac Pow Wow, all day at Black Bear, Red Shawl Ceremony to remember and honor victims and survivors of trafficking. January 16, 7:00 PM, Documentary, “With Impunity”, Silver Bay, Parks and Rec Center. January 17, Panel and Discussion, “Safe Harbor for All”, Zuccone Theatre, 222 E. Superior St. January 19, Book Read sponsored by the Duluth Public Library, “The Guest Room” by Chris Bohjalian, Main Library, 520 W. Superior St., Gold Room, 6:30 PM. All are invited. January 20, Men As Peacemakers releases its, Don't Buy It Project. 5:00 pm Trepanier Hall January 29, 3:00 PM. Live performance of the play, “Bottom”, Two Harbors High School Auditorium. TBD: Native Sisters Society Program February 1: Brave Art Exhibit, Trepanier Hall, 5-7 PM. February 11: Nepali Dinner to raise funds for PAVSA’s Emergency Fund for Victims and Survivors of Trafficking, Unitarian Universalist Congregation, 835 College Street, Duluth, 5:00 PM. Email gail4duluth@gmail.com for reservations. CO-SPONSORS OF TRAFFICKING AWARENESS EVENTS TO DATE: Woodland Hills, Neighborhood Youth Services, Cambia Hills, Lutheran Social Service, League of Women Voters Duluth, AAUW (American Association of University Women), Life House, PAVSA, Men As Peacemakers, Lake County Sex Trafficking Task Force, North Homes, St. Louis County Public Health and Human Services, First Methodist Church, Duluth Sister Cities International, Duluth Seaway Port Authority, Native Sisters Society, Mending the Sacred Hoop, AICHO, Duluth Public Library, Unitarian Universalist Congregation Duluth, Essentia Health, UMD Women’s Resource Action Center. Background Information: The commercial sexual exploitation of children is one of the worst, yet unaddressed, forms of child abuse in the U.S. It happens in every city and town including Duluth. The average age of a Minnesota girl that is first prostituted (trafficked) for sex is thirteen, many as young as eleven. According to FBI data, Minnesota is one of the top thirteen places for trafficking of underage girls. Approximately 213 girls are sold for sex in Minnesota, an average of four to five times per day--each month-- through the internet and escort services. (Statistics taken from MN Girls Are Not For Sale website) Sex Trafficking. It’s Here. Help End it! |