Restoring Faith in NYC

Did you know that:

·New York has been determined as a major entry point for trafficking of human beings? (U.S. Department of State, 2002)
·Recent press highlights the degree of sex trafficking in New York and lack of survivor support as a core issue? (Various newspaper clippings; Stop Human Trafficking NY, 2008)

I didn’t know these facts, until I was fortunate enough to sit down with Faith Huckel (Executive Director, Restore NYC) on my last trip into NYC. While exploring potential partners for the GVNF Anti-Trafficking Fund, I came across this impressive organization, which provides support to survivors of sex trafficking. On September 18th, Courtney Montague (Executive Director, GVNF) and I met with Faith in NYC to understand more about her organization and their fight against sex trafficking in NYC.

Like myself, Faith is part of the growing community of people outraged by the epidemic of sex trafficking, and embarked on her own response to the issue by setting up Restore NYC (non-profit) in 2004. Faith and three friends developed the concept around a kitchen table, and in a remarkably short period of time, established what is known today as Restore NYC. Restore provides aftercare services for internationally sex trafficked women in NYC. In fact, Faith informed us that it is the only organization solely focused on providing long-term aftercare services for international survivors of sex trafficking in NYC. I was shocked to hear that sex trafficking enslaves thousands of women in New York, and the numbers are growing.

I was impressed by Faith’s commitment to the cause, and unwavering focus on the support and rehabilitation of the survivors. Faith provided us with the legal, physical, mental, societal and financial implications of sex-trafficking for the victims, and generously shared numerous resources for us (which I will share with you in the coming weeks). Restore’s long-term plan is to open NYC’s first safe-house for victims of sex-trafficking.

This meeting was important on many levels – understanding the issue of sex-trafficking on a domestic level, becoming familiar with implications for victims who don’t have proper rehabilitation services, but most importantly, meeting Faith Huckel, and realizing the synergies between both our missions. I am posting the details of our meeting on this blog to provide an example of how one person, just like you and I, can respond to the issue of sex trafficking in such a substantial way. If one person can make this type of impact, just imagine what would happen if we all were motivated to take action, like Faith did?

A Night of Hopes & Dreams With Somaly Mam

Hero isn't a word I use lightly. It's reserved for an individual who has overcome almost impossible odds and prevailed. More than simply prevailing, though, a hero is an individual who, against all odds, commits acts of remarkable courage. Somaly Mam is my hero, and on September 17th, 2009, I was privileged to attend "A Night of Hopes & Dreams," in her honor, in NYC.

For those of you not familiar with Somaly Mam, she overcame child sexual slavery in the brothels of Cambodia, to dedicate her life to saving other victims of sexual slavery in Cambodia. In the last 10 years, she has literally saved thousands of children and women who had been victims of sex trafficking. It was remarkable to hear her speak, and witness her grace, courage and loving spirit fill the room. What I find so extraordinary about my hero is that she never limited herself by playing into the fear she most undoubtedly felt. She understands that love is worth the risk, and lives in her complete truth, accepting her past, and using her experience to make the lives of everyone around her better.

The most moving portion of the event was when a young survivor, by the name of Day Le, sang a haunting song to open the evening. While I couldn't understand the words, I could feel the meaning. Pain, shame, redemption, resilience. Truly amazing.

Late last week I spoke to the Executive Director, Bill Livermore, of the Somaly Mam Foundation about the kind of support services offered to the survivors. Their approach is holistic in nature, encompassing everything from basic needs like food and shelter, to job training and education. If the survivors who spoke at the event were any indication of the effectiveness of their rehabilitation model, it certainly appears that it is working very well.

I can't think of many crimes more heinous then the sex trafficking and slavery of women and children. Somaly Mam has responded to this epidemic by giving hope, love, stability and education to those young women and children who have been violated sexually, physically and mentally. As I continue to work with GVNF to develop our response to the growing issues around sex trafficking, I will hold my experiences from this evening close to my heart. It was clear to me after attending "A Night for Hopes & Dreams," that with the right support services, survivors of sex trafficking can not only overcome their tragedy, but also flourish, just like my hero.

The Journey Begins...

The partnership with GVNF was born back in June when I was fortunate enough to spend a week at the Be The Change social entrepreneurship course, led by the Founder of Global Volunteer Network, Colin Salisbury. 

I came to the course knowing two things -- 1) I have zero tolerance for injustice, and 2) I can't imagine a more heinous crime than sex trafficking and sexual slavery of children and women. Colin, and the Executive Director of the Foundation (Courtney Montague) shared my passion, and the framework of the GVN Anti-Trafficking Fund was born. The development of this Fund is already proving to be a journey which has, and will, be a vehicle to meet like minded people refusing to ignore the growing epidemic of sex trafficking. I know my research and travels will expose me first hand to the atrocities of sex trafficking, and the strength and resilience of the survivors. 

Progress has already been made through the identification of potential partner organizations, and a upcoming site visit to a safe house in Chiang Mai, Thailand. We intend to build a sex trafficking awareness campaign, give a platform to hero organizations, and raise money to support specific programs providing assistance, job training and rehabilitation to the survivors of sex trafficking/slavery. 

Never before has one of my favorite quotes rang so true:

"You must be the change you wish to see in the world." Gandhi

I'm ready to be the change.