MEDIA ADVISORY

December 1, 2009
For Immediate Release

2911 South Fourth Street Louisville, KY 40208 (502) 637-9786 (502) 637-9780 fax www.cclou.org

CONTACTS: Marissa Castellanos Program Manager, Kentucky Rescue and Restore Victims of Human Trafficking (502) 636-9263  Bart Weigel Director of Communications and Development (502) 637-9786 / 502-550-9866

The Kentucky Rescue and Restore Victims of Human Trafficking Liberation Awards Honor Outstanding Volunteers

WHAT:

(Lexington, KY) On December 3, seven volunteers will be honored for their efforts in alleviating the hidden crime of human trafficking. These awards will be presented by the Kentucky Rescue and Restore Victims of Human Trafficking Program at the Kentucky Alliance for Sexual Assault Programs annual conference in Lexington.

“The time and talent provided by these individuals has been integral to the success of the project,” said Marissa Castellanos, Kentucky Rescue and Restore Program Manager.

In February 2008, Catholic Charities of Louisville and its statewide partners Bluegrass Rape Crisis Center in Lexington, the Kentucky Association of Sexual Assault Programs in Frankfort, and the Women’s Crisis Center in Covington were recipients of federal Rescue and Restore Victims of Human Trafficking Regional Program funding. Since the Kentucky program’s inception that spring, 81 victims, including both foreign nationals and U.S. citizens, have been identified and served.

In addition to victim identification and assistance, the KY Rescue and Restore project is charged with raising public awareness about the crime of trafficking. The Kentucky Rescue and Restore Coalition has been established, which includes six regional task forces: Louisville, Lexington, Bowling Green, Covington, Somerset and Lake Cumberland. To date, the coalition has provided 164 hours of training regarding human trafficking to 2,803 persons. These workshops provide the information necessary for community individuals, especially first responders such as emergency medical services, fire departments, and law enforcement, to identify and appropriately refer victims for services.

"In addition to first responders,” said Castellanos, “anyone can help identify a victim by referring a situation that doesn’t look quite right. Some victims have been identified by letter carriers, meter readers and neighbors willing to refer a situation in a home or business that raised suspicion.”

WHO:

The 2009 Kentucky Rescue and Restore Liberation Honorees:

Robin Valenzuela, Student Award Winner
Marilyn Jones, Volunteer Award Winner
Maxwell St. Legal Clinic, Agency Award Winner
Monica Woods, Community Advocate Award Winner
Gretchen Hunt, Dr. T.K. Logan and Senator David Boswell, Kentucky State Advocate Award Winners

WHEN:

12:00 Noon - December 3, 2009

WHERE:

Griffin Marriott - 1800 Newton Pike, Lexington, KY 40511

ABOUT THE HONOREES:

Robin Valenzuela worked as a student intern for the Kentucky Rescue and Restore Project in 2008. She arranged training for students, faculty and community members through the University of Louisville. Since her services with the Kentucky project, Robin continues her awareness efforts and received a fellowship with the Polaris Project, an anti-human trafficking organization in Washington, D.C.

Marilyn Jones has spent many hours providing information throughout the Kentuckiana region despite working part-time and serving other organizations. She has visited more than 200 businesses and agencies disbursing literature to help identify traffickers and also information about how victims themselves can obtain services.

Maxwell St. Legal Clinic (Lexington, KY) has offered services to marginalized populations since 1999. This organization’s willingness to identify and provide much-needed legal assistance allows victims to regain control over their circumstances and work toward self-sufficiency.

Monica Woods was a key individual in establishing the Bowling Green Human Trafficking Task Force. Through her role as Multi-Cultural Affairs Coordinator with the Bowling Green Police Department, Officer Woods has raised awareness with regional law enforcement agencies and has provided screening for potential victims in the Bowling Green area.

Gretchen Hunt is a staff attorney with the Kentucky Division of Child Abuse and Domestic Violence Services. She played a major role in developing the Louisville and Lexington Human Trafficking Task Forces and was largely involved in the movement for trafficking legislation at the state level and the development of local research on this issue. Gretchen was also instrumental in the application and receipt of the federal Rescue and Restore funding.

Dr. T.K. Logan is the author of the 2007 report, Human Trafficking in Kentucky, and is a professor at the University of Kentucky. Her vision also aided in the creation of the Louisville and Lexington Human Trafficking Task Forces. T.K.’s research proved a vital resource for the Rescue and Restore application process, and she has devoted her time and knowledge on multiple occasions to speak about the findings of her research and raise awareness about trafficking in our state.

Kentucky Senator David Boswell is from District 8 and has been a powerful force in the Kentucky state government in raising awareness, developing support and sponsoring legislation that criminalizes human trafficking at the state level. This legislation has been significant in engaging law enforcement in this effort. Senator Boswell continues advocating within the legislature to advance and improve human trafficking legislation.

Human Trafficking
After narcotics, human trafficking ties the illegal arms trade as the second largest criminal industry in the world today. Approximately 600,000 to 800,000 men, women and children are subjected to modern-day slavery as they are trafficked across international borders each year. Based on data from the U.S. State Department, the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops estimates that one-third of those victims are children. About 14,500 to 17,500 of those men, women and children come to the United States, and unfortunately, some make their way into our Commonwealth. Furthermore, not all victims are transported here. Our own citizens can be forced to perform acts against their will through fraud and coercion.

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