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| Walnut Hill Community Church in Derby. |
DERBY - Walnut Hill Community Church will host a community event at 7 p.m. March 1 to raise awareness of human trafficking and sexual exploitation of children.
Pastor Walt Mayhew from Walnut Hill’s Valley Campus detailed why the church decided to get involved.
“The sexual exploitation and human trafficking of our children is rising dramatically," Mayhew said. "Yet many in our community are unaware. Our hope is to raise awareness by having experts in the field of social services and criminal justice share what is taking place.”
According to statistical information provided by the church human trafficking and sexual exploitation is a world-wide, $99 billion industry.
In Connecticut referrals to DCF of suspected domestic minor sex trafficking has risen by 7,000 percent since 2016.
The state is broken up into six regions for statistical reporting purposes. The region in which the Valley is located is tied for the highest rate of referrals. Since 2008 (as of third quarter, HART Data 2017) more than 800 children have been referred to Connecticut’s Department of Children and Families as being suspected of being victims of human trafficking, the youngest being just two years old.
“The time is at hand to raise awareness and mobilize out communities so our children can be protected and we want to do our part,” Mayhew said.
The state is broken up into six regions for statistical reporting purposes. The region in which the Valley is located is tied for the highest rate of referrals. Since 2008 (as of third quarter, HART Data 2017) more than 800 children have been referred to Connecticut’s Department of Children and Families as being suspected of being victims of human trafficking, the youngest being just two years old.
“The time is at hand to raise awareness and mobilize out communities so our children can be protected and we want to do our part,” Mayhew said.
The event features a panel discussion/presentation by experts in the field, including:
- Annmarie Boulay: Director of Women’s Ministry, Wintonbury Church and co-founder of The Underground;
- Jillian Gilchrest: Director of Health Professional Outreach at CT Coalition Against Domestic Violence;
- Tim Palmbach: Professor and Chair of Forensic Science at the University of New Haven;
- Theresa Leonard: Co-founder of The Underground, Survivor of DMST;
- Yvette Young: Project Director, Human Anti-trafficking Response Team for DCF, Village for Families and Children.
Walnut Hill Community Church’s Valley Campus is located at the corner of Smith and Ninth Streets.
For more information visit www.walnuthillcc.org/valley-campus or call 203-732-5220.
For more information visit www.walnuthillcc.org/valley-campus or call 203-732-5220.
This is a release from the church.
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