Human Trafficking Awareness

AAUW NJ is an affiliated organization  of the New Jersey Coalition Against Human Trafficking
coordinating statewide community efforts to end sex and labor trafficking in New Jersey.

January is Human Trafficking  Awareness Month
January 11 is Human Trafficking  Awareness Day

Human Trafficking  AAUW NJ Contact:  Virginia Lyttle

If you want to learn more about the New Jersey Coalition Against Human Trafficking click here

Past State Human Trafficking Awareness Endeavors

September 27, 2019
Forum on Modern Slavery:  21st Century Solutions
See full write-up: Forum on Modern Slavery held at Seton Hall

AAUW NJ was represented at Seton Hall University on September 27, 2019.  As a member of the New Jersey Coalition Against Human Trafficking (NJCAHT), it was thrilling to be in attendance when Nadia Murad, the 2019 winner of the Nobel Peace Prize, was presented with an honorary doctorate degree from the Seton Hall University’s School of Diplomacy and International Relations.

The eradication of modern day slavery requires awareness and recognition of the problem, enforcement and monitoring of existing laws, and the elimination of the conditions which lead to bondage.  Look around:  see something; say something; do something.
Submitted by Ginny Lyttle, AAUW-NJ Representative to the NJCAHT

May 4, 2019
SOAP Distribution

There was a SOAP distribution to Hotels and Motels in Monmouth County on Saturday May 4.  Arlene Inglis and Ginny Lyttle participated for AAUW.  A picture was taken with Congressman Chris Smith, a staunch supporter of our efforts to eradicate Human Trafficking, Theresa Flores, author of A Slave Across the Street and developer of the SOAP project,  and Sue Flynn coordinator of NJHT SOAP initiatives.

Congressman Chris Smith, Theresa Flores, Virginia Lyttle, Arlene Inglis, and Sue Flynn - Saturday, May 4, 2019

Congressman Chris Smith, Theresa Flores, Virginia Lyttle, Arlene Inglis, and Sue Flynn – Saturday, May 4, 2019

NJ Human Trafficking Coalition does several Soap distributions a year around the state.  We start by showing the Motel or Hotel person a poster of local missing children and then go into a talk about looking for suspicious activities by clients.  We then leave soaps with the national hot line number at mom and pop establishments asking them to leave the soaps in the guests’ bathrooms. The soaps have been an effective way to reach people who can help free victims.

Here are some Statistics on Human Trafficking given by Teresa Flores and Chris Smith.

  • 2nd most profitable crime
  • 80% women and girls are trafficked and 20% men and boys
  • 1000,000 American kids are being trafficked right now
  • 13 average age of girl being trafficked
  • 3% are kidnaped
  • 35% are trafficked by a family member or friend of the family
  • 60% are blackmailed
  • 77% of adult prostitutes were trafficked as children
  • There are 1.3 million missing kids in America.
  • Social Media is the number 1-way traffickers meet victims.

The only way to stop this is to stop the demand.  We cut smoking by society pressure.

Freehold Area Branch, Freehold, NJ
The Freehold Area Branch arranged for their local communities to adopt proclamations regarding the problem, and declare January 11 as Human Trafficking Awareness Day.
Human Trafficking Proclamations

April, 23, 2014
Monmouth County Human Trafficking Awareness program
Sponsored by AAUW Freehold Branch – Held April, 23, 2014

Jefferson Township High School, Morris County, NJ
Human Sex Trafficking and the Super Bowl 2014