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Cassandra Clifford

Executive Director and Founder of BTFF

Monday, February 3, 2014

Modern Slavery News Round-Up

College Conference Invites Public For Human Trafficking Awareness DAVIE (CBSMiami) — Broward College in Davie is inviting the public to become more aware of human trafficking in Florida and in the rest of the world, through a conference Thursday. The free, day-long conference is being held in recognition of National Anti-Slavery and Human Trafficking Awareness Month.

AG awards human trafficking victims grants
TOPEKA, Kansas (AP) – Five Kansas groups have been awarded funds from the attorney general’s office to help victims of human trafficking. The assistance program was established last year after the Legislature passed new laws cracking down on the crime. The attorney general’s office said Thursday the grants total nearly $70,000 and will be used by groups that aid human trafficking victims in Lawrence, Kansas City, Topeka and Wichita. More than 200 human trafficking victims were identified for services by the organizations since passage of the 2013 legislation.

EmberHope receives grant to combat human trafficking
EmberHope received a grant of $20,442 from the Human Trafficking Victim Assistance Fund, which was created by the new Kansas human trafficking law enacted last year. During state fiscal year 2013, Schmidt said, more than 200 trafficking victims were identified by victims service organizations in Kansas.
Along with EmberHope, which is the new name for Youthville and features expanded services, other grant recipients were:
• Veronica’s Voice, Kansas City: $14,957
• GaDuGi Safe Center, Lawrence: $13,384
• YWCA Center for Safety and Empowerment, Topeka: $23,000
• SafeHomes, Winfield: $13,000

Fighting human trafficking in Kalamazoo
The state is setting in motion its plan to combat human trafficking, Michigan Attorney General Bill Schuette told an audience in Kalamazoo yesterday evening. Earlier Thursday state lawmakers announced that they would seek changes in the way state law treats victims of sex trafficking so they’re not prosecuted for prostitution. Advocates also say they’re working hard to raise public awareness of an issue they say hides in plain sight.