Community Engagement Night:
SPOTLIGHT - Finding Housing in MA
We are pleased to present representatives from the Bakhita House and Homeland Security who will lead a discussion about the need for housing services for the population across New England. All are welcome. Event is free.
First Parish Church of Stow & Acton, FREE March 15th, 7pm, RIA House sponsored, click here for flyer
US SENATE REPORT: EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
For more than twenty months, the Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations has investigated the problem of online sex trafficking. The investigation led the Subcommittee to focus on Backpage.com, the leading online marketplace for commercial sex. Operating in 97 countries and 943 locations worldwide—and last valued at more than a half-billion dollars—Backpage is the world’s second-largest classified advertising website. Backpage is involved in 73% of all child trafficking reports that the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) receives from...(to read more click here)
METROWEST COMMISSION ON THE STATUS OF WOMEN RELEASES A REGION-WIDE SURVEY ASSESSING THE LIVES OF WOMEN
The MetroWest Commission on the Status of Women (MWCSW) is charged by the Commonwealth with identifying the challenges that women face in MetroWest communities and working at the local level to address these challenges. In an effort to better understand how they might positively impact conditions that affect the daily lives of women and girls, the Commission has released an online survey to hear directly from MetroWest women. This survey comes at a time when the MWCSW is forming its priorities and focus areas for 2017 and planning for a legislative breakfast with MetroWest senators and representatives on March 15th.
“The MWCSW has seen first hand how focusing on issues that affect women and girls improves not only their lives but also the lives of families, and benefits the community as a whole,” said Commission Chair Patricia Hohl. “Dismantling barriers faced by women opens paths to economic, social, and physical well being for all.”
Women living in the MetroWest can participate in the survey by linking to https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/933LLGP or find the survey link on their Facebook page, MetroWest Commission on the Status of Women.
HEAL TRAFFICKING:
NEW BOOK & WEBINAR
A recently published book, Human Trafficking Is a Public Health Issue: A Paradigm Expansion in the United States, is the first book of its kind, with a comprehensive look – from a public health perspective – at human trafficking in the US. This web conference will explore the problematic nature of human trafficking in our communities through the public health lens and how it is linked to sexual violence and domestic violence. We will identify fundamental types and essential elements of human trafficking to consider and incorporate while developing primary prevention programs. We will also highlight examples of anti-human trafficking prevention work being pursued by community health organizations and discuss strategies and actionable goals to create programs to prevent human trafficking in your communities.
ANTI-TRAFFICKING LAWS RE-INTRODUCED
TO MASSACHUSETTS LEGISLATORS
Three new pieces of legislation have been been reintroduced in the Massachusetts Legislature: SD1083 strengthens the anti-trafficking law; SD 1085 enhances the lives of survivors of human trafficking including vacating convictions; and SD1086 prevents human trafficking and sexual exploitation in bodyworks establishments. Please reach out to your colleagues and networks as all three pieces are looking for co-sponsors.
