Friday, February 16, 2018
Walnut Hill Community Church to host panel on human trafficking
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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.
Save the date: YMCA in Ansonia to hold Healthy Kids Day in April
Central Connecticut Coast YMCA
Healthy Kids Day will be held from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. April 21.
The Valley YMCA is at 12 State St., Ansonia.
Mark your calendar and save the date!
Newsletter: Ansonia School Readiness, business opening in Derby
Dear readers,
Today's Valley Voice newsletter features Ansonia School Readiness, grand opening of Twin Peaks Counseling in Derby, and more.
Thanks as always for reading,
Patti
Banko's in Ansonia slates STOMP awards ceremony to honor students
ANSONIA - The Banko’s Music Foundation has scheduled its next STOMP ceremony to honor distinguished and stand-out music students for each marking period for all local public schools.
The ceremony will be held at 7 p.m. Feb. 23 at Banko’s Music Store, 360 E. Main St.
The Banko’s Music Foundation Mission is to advocate for public school music education and to award scholarships to students pursuing careers in music and music education. Visit www.BankosFoundation.org.
This information is shared from an online community calendar sponsored by The Community Foundation for Greater New Haven and The New Haven Independent.