January 2020
Human Trafficking Awareness Month
What is Human Trafficking Awareness Month?
Human Trafficking involves the use of force, fraud or coercion to obtain labor or sexual acts. Human Trafficking happens all over the world in every country, county and city, to people of all genders and races. In particular, people of color and women/girls are disproportionate targets of trafficking.
January was proclaimed Human Trafficking Awareness month by US President Barack Obama in 2010, and January 11th is National Day of Human Trafficking Awareness as declared by Congress in 2007. Human Trafficking Awareness Month is intended to draw awareness and inspire action to help reduce and end trafficking, as well as helping to support trafficking survivors.
On this website page, you will find different ways to help contribute to the movement against trafficking and help those currently affected. During the month of January, there will be local events (largely virtual due to COVID-19) designed to inform and train individuals in identifying and responding to trafficking. Located on this page is a visual calendar which displays events and their details for easy access.
Here you will find various events and opportunities to get involved.
Attend
Human Trafficking Awareness Month Proclamation - Multnomah County Board of Commissioners
Thursday, January 9, 9:30am
Location: Multnomah County Board Room, 501 SE Hawthorne Blvd, Portland, Oregon
All are welcome!
Human Trafficking Awareness Day - Oregon DOJ event
Friday, January 10, 10:00am - 11:30am
Location: DOJ Building, 100 SW Market St, Portland, Oregon
RSVP at combatingtrafficking@doj.state.or.us
Cyber Safety Training - Shared Hope International
Saturday, January 11, 9:00am - 2:00pm
Location: Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church, 3131 NE Glisan St, Portland, Ore. 97232
Register at https://tinyurl.com/HTCyberAwareness
Candelight Vigil - East Portland Rotary
Saturday, January 11, 6:00pm - 8:00pm
Location: NE 82nd and Glisan in the Montavilla Park Community Bldg.
RSVP at rotaryendsextrafficking@gmail.com
Webinar - Human Trafficking 101: Identification & Treatment of Survivors of Human Trafficking
Thursday, January 16, 11:30am - 1:00pm
RSVP at mayl@irco.org
https://global.gotomeeting.com/join/348490405 dial in number: (224) 501-3412. Access Code: 348-490-405
Hospitality Training - East Portland Rotary, PPB, and DA's Office
Tuesday, January 21, 1:00pm - 4:00pm
Location: Holiday Inn Airport, 8439 NE Columbia Blvd., Portland, OR 97220
RSVP at rotaryendsextrafficking@gmail.com with your name, email, phone & business name
Meet & Greet - Juvenile System & Community Partners
Wednesday, January 22, 9:30am - 11:00am
Location: Juvenile Justice Complex, Large Conference Room, 1401 NE 68th Ave, Portland, Oregon
All criminal justice staff are invited to come meet the service providers who are here to support individuals who have experienced sex trafficking.
Webinar - Trafficking: Trauma and Trauma-Informed Advocacy at Points of Contact
Wednesday, January 22, 11:00am - 12:30pm
Registeration: https://ta2ta.org/webinars/registration/human-trafficking-webinar.html
Survivor self-care backpack drop off day*
Saturday, January 23, 12:00am - 2:00pm
Location: Bridgetown Church (2120 NE Tillamook St. Portland, OR 97212) in the back parking lot off Tillamook St.
COVID Precautions: This will be a no-contact drop-off. Please wear a mask upon arrival and stay in your car. A volunteer, wearing a mask and gloves, will greet you. You can either hand them the backpack(s) through the window, or allow them to open your door to get the backpack(s). Thank you for helping to keep our community safe and healthy.
*See below for backpack assembly instructions
Webinar - Strengthening Domestic and Sexual Violence Programs for Trafficked Survivors: Enhancing Indentification, Case Management, and Advocacy
Wednesday, January 29, 10:00am - 11:30am
Registration: http://fvpf.convio.net/site/R?i=Az9lYhG7qicO7diBiNebgQ
Training - Human Trafficking Training: Identifying and responding to human trafficking
Thursday, January 30, 12:00pm - 1:30pm
Target audience: Law enforcement, attorneys, prosecutors, advocates, DHS, and their partners
Mark O. Hatfield U.S. Courthouse, Jury Assembly Room
1000 SW 3rd Ave, Portland, OR 97204
Self-care backpacks & Gift Cards
Details:
Join in for an opportunity to provide support to individuals who have experienced sex trafficking by putting together a self-care backpack. Thank you for partnering with us and various county & city programs care for our neighbors in our community!
A huge thank you to Bridgetown Church for running this campaign!
Drop Off Date: Saturday, January 25th
Time: 10 - 2 PM
Location: Bridgetown Church (2120 NE Tillamook St. Portland, OR 97212)*
*The building will still be under construction. You can access the room can be accessed via the back parking lot - signs will be posted
Questions?
Contact Brooke at brooke.nolte@bridgetown.church
Share
Here you will find images available for download that may be used to raise awareness about human trafficking.
Learn
Find out more about the realities of sex trafficking from individuals who have gone through it themselves at thelifestory.org
Concerned community member?
If there is someone in your life that you are concerned could be experiencing harm, one of the best things you can do is know the resources you can connect them with when they are ready. Being a safe and supportive person that can listen without judgment, and help connect them to confidential professional services can make all of the difference. Check out our services page to learn more about local programming.
Provider in the community?
Learn more about supporting those who are experiencing sex trafficking by reading this Zine created by Gibson with Raphael House of Portland.
Are you a health care provider?
EMT Training that also serves as a 101 for individuals working with this population.
Online Webinar: SANE response to Sex Trafficking (1.5 hours) from the Sexual Assault Task Force.
SOAR has a free 2 hour online webinar and a PowerPoint presentation.
Give
We support individuals of all genders (with the greatest percentage being female-identified). When creating the bag, please provide items that are gender neutral as much as possible,
Hygiene Products
Shampoo/Conditioner (shampoo bars with a case are great too!)
Hair products for African Americans (i.e. cream, oil, silk wraps, leave-in conditioner, detangler, etc.)
Wash cloth
Flip flops
Q-Tips
Liquid body wash & Loofa
Face wash
Acne specific face wipes
Body lotion
Deodorant
Feminine products: tampons, pads, and pH balancing wipes
Razors & shaving cream
Toothpaste & toothbrush
Medicated chapstick
Eyebrow tweezers
Brush & comb
Nail clippers & file
Optional Products that Promote Dignity
Nail polish
Hair ties
Gift card to get nails done
Gift card for hair products (i.e. Mid-K Beauty Supply has hair supplies for a variety of hair types)
Gift card for clothing (i.e. Target / Fred Meyer)
Backpacks
Backpacks should be generic bags appropriate for everyday use. Please avoid backpacks with characters, bright colors, animals, jewels, or other embellishments. All bags should be easy to clean and have pockets.
Guidelines for Purchasing/Assembling
Items should be new or very gently used. A good way to think of it: if you would feel funny receiving the quality of item as a gift, they would likely feel the same. We want to promote dignity and respect through the items, honoring these resilient, amazing individuals.
Hygiene products need to be normal size and of quality. Full size quality products rather than travel size. Also, if you would not want to use it on your body, or it is half full, or used....it would not feel as honoring to receive that as a gift.
Items ideally as gender inclusive as possible. There are more women/girls than men/boys who engage in the services, but often they desire items that look older than their own age. Things that are more gender neutral help. Please no frills, sparkles, or animated animals.
Feel free to include a note! Comments that promote dignity and are encouraging are great (i.e. “You got this, I think you’re amazing” “I’m glad you exist” “You matter”). Please refrain from comments about them being saved, rescued, or escaping. Please keep envelope unsealed.
Gift cards are incredibly helpful! Please keep the amount to $10-$50. Places like Fred Meyer, Target, or Starbucks are great. Please write the amount provided on the card.
Please no religious material (i.e. bibles, verses, journals with scripture)