Media Contact:
Education & Engagement Director, Damascus Road Project Inc.
Terra Koslowski
920-659-0050
terra@damascusroadproject.org
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Volunteers and police department partner to spread awareness in the community
Oshkosh, WI– Sunday, January 11, volunteers from Damascus Road Project, in partnership with the Oshkosh Police Department, will be gathering at Opera House Square from 1-3pm to hold signs for the annual “Stop the Traffick: Make Some Noise Human Trafficking Awareness Day Rally.” This year, a second location has been added at the Public Square Gazebo in Waupaca from 11:30am-1:30pm. The rallies are open to the public. Signs and warm beverages will be provided.
January 11 is dedicated as National Human Trafficking Awareness Day, which was set by the 110th Congress and passed by the Senate on June 22, 2007. In addition, the entire month of January is known as National Human Trafficking and Slavery Prevention Month. To honor the month, an additional free community awareness training will be held at Damascus Road Project, located at 1528 Oregon St. in Oshkosh on January 27 from 6:00-8:00pm. The training will discuss common recruitment tactics used by traffickers, red flag indicators, myths and truths of trafficking, prevention tips and more.
According to the International Labor Organization, human trafficking generates $236 billion in illegal profits annually worldwide. It involves the exploitation of a person through force, fraud, or coercion for the purpose of commercial sex or forced labor. Victims are targeted by traffickers due to a variety of vulnerabilities. They are often manipulated through promises of love, food, shelter, fear, fame, a sense of belonging or employment then coerced or forced into manual labor, prostitution, or sexual exploitation. Children are especially at risk. Traffickers use social media, mobile devices, and interactive gaming as tools to access and build relationships with minors.
Damascus Road Project is a local 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that began in 2009. It is dedicated to raising awareness and assisting victims of human trafficking in Oshkosh, The Fox Valley, and throughout Wisconsin by presenting prevention education to schools, churches, and community groups, partnering with law enforcement to locate victims, and provide aftercare resources to survivors. Since 2017, Damascus Road Project has assisted 743 survivors of human trafficking or commercial sexual exploitation.
Additional information can be found at damascusroadproject.org.
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