First Lady Donna Edwards announced a new human trafficking public awareness campaign and resource center. Edwards said the campaign received input from human trafficking survivors and is entitled Stop Trafficking LA: Human Trafficking is Real REAL.
“And the REAL stands for R, recognizing the signs; E, educating others; A, acting immediately; and L, listening to and supporting victims,” said Edwards.
The awareness campaign will launch in April during the NCAA final four basketball tournament in New Orleans. Edwards said large sporting events are often the perfect environment for the crime of trafficking to flourish.
“So, we wanted to kick it off around a large event so we could have this campaign as people drive in and come into our state, they know that we’re saying no, no to trafficking,” said Edwards.
Dr. Dana Hunter, executive director of the Louisiana Office of Human Trafficking Prevention also introduced the first web-based human trafficking prevention resource center at HumanTrafficking.la.gov.
“This site has an interactive map that provides region-specific resources and services for victims,” said Hunter.
Edwards said that 60% of children in foster care have some type of connection to human sex trafficking.
Comments