Day One Assembles Task Force To Address Sex Trafficking in RI
Tuesday, November 26, 2013
Day One, the state's only agency organized specifically to deal with the issue of sexual assault as a community concern, has assembled a task force to address the issue of sex trafficking in Rhode Island. Recently, the state has seen a rise with these cases and there is no formal or effective process for dealing with them.
“We are dedicated to bringing this topic to the forefront,” says Day One's executive director, Peg Langhammer. “Sex trafficking is a statewide issue, and we know we can’t fight it alone. The task force will provide a forum for us to collaborate with all the right stakeholders to determine the best approach.”
The goals of the task force are to:
GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLAST- Review existing policies and protocols used in investigation, prosecution and victim advocacy
- Provide crisis intervention training to law enforcement, social services, medical treatment providers and schools
- Educate the community about warning signs and how to report suspected cases
- Generate a process for what happens to victims after the crime has been identified
- Develop a best practices model, through team collaboration, to effectively address this crime
The initial team, which includes representatives from federal, state and local law enforcement, the Department of Children Youth and Families, healthcare providers and more; will develop goals and divide efforts among strategic subcommittees focused on victim services, education and training, and best practices for investigating and prosecuting these cases.
“The goal is to reach beyond the agencies that go through regular training sessions to the community at large, teachers, doctors, neighbors, – the people who see these victims every day and can recognize the red flags,” says Langhammer. “It’s clear the time has come for a formalized approach.”
For more than five years, the issue of sex trafficking has been a key part of Day One’s training curriculum. Law enforcement, social services, medical staff and educators are trained to recognize warning signs of sex trafficking victims, how to talk to victims, specific questions to ask, and the unique dynamics of these sensitive cases.
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