On January 4th of this year, President Obama declared January “National Slavery and Human Trafficking Prevention Month, 2010” and February 1st to mark the annual celebration of “National Freedom Day.” To observe this proclamation and in the tradition of observing January 11th as National Day of Human Trafficking Awareness, IRC’s Arizona League to End Regional Trafficking (ALERT) sponsored two local events. On January 8th, ALERT collaborated with Paradise Valley Community College and the Arizona Coalition against Domestic Violence, holding the Second Annual Conference on Human Trafficking.
This year’s theme, “Childhood Not Chains,” addressed the effects of human trafficking on youth as victims, survivors, and activists in the fight against modern-day slavery. Many community partners presented at the conference, including local and federal law enforcement, legal professionals, victims, service providers, GS GEMS, and a local Girl Scout group that routinely conducts peer education to end trafficking.
The theme of “Childhood Not Chains” was carried into an arts reception held at local art venue, The Firehouse, in downtown Phoenix on January 11th. The reception displayed art created by local high school students in response to the issue of human trafficking and showcased the premier of “Human Trafficking,” by Tenisha, a local performance artist.
To find out more about the ALERT Program, please contact Katie Resendiz, Acting ALERT Program Manager, at katie.resendiz@theIRC.org or 602.433.2440 ext. 220.
