Human Trafficking Engagement Day

This morning I woke up far too early and drove down to Olympia in the torrential rain for the Human Trafficking Engagement Day. Lawmakers, government employees, and grassroots organizers met to discuss the importance of raising awareness of human trafficking in America.

Of particular note was Linda Smith, former legislator and founder of Shared Hope International, who shared three important goals that her organization is working towards: 1). Protective, safe housing for child victims of human trafficking; 2). Decriminalization of child victims of human trafficking; and 3). Increasing the penalty for buyers/clients of trafficked victims. As human trafficking is such an overwhelming epidemic, I appreciated her comment that, "it would be worth it [combating trafficking] if it were for one person." An important truth for abolitionists to remember as they struggle against the powerful forces of human trafficking.
For more information, check out http://www.washingtonhte.com/ and http://www.seattleagainstslavery.org/