 IDHS Assistant Secretary Grace Hou and hundreds of volunteers from
every corner of the state canvassed neighborhoods and hung thousands
of posters advertising the national human trafficking line,
888-3737-888, and encouraged the public to rescue and restore
victims of human trafficking. The event kicked off on Thursday at
the Salvation Army College of Officer Training at 700 W. Brompton in
Chicago."Human trafficking is tied with the illegal arms industry
as the second-largest criminal industry in the world today, and it
is the fastest growing," said Hou. "This is a hidden problem in many
communities across the state. Oftentimes these people feel trapped
and don't know where to turn. We're trying to reach victims so they
know help is available."
The U.S. government estimates that 14,000-17,500 people are
trafficked into the United States annually. Victims are trafficked
across international borders from such regions as Southeast Asia,
Latin America, the former Soviet Union and Africa to work in labor
and sex trades.
The Illinois Rescue and Restore campaign, launched in 2005 by
Gov. Rod Blagojevich and HHS, is a coalition comprised of local
agencies, state agencies, law enforcement and the faith community to
raise awareness of the problem and help victims. Illinois is the
first state to form this unique and cutting-edge collaboration with
HHS, which is seen as a model for other states.
"Efforts to eradicate trafficking go back to the early chapters
of our history," said Maj. Patty Richardson, director of Women's
Services of The Salvation Army. "It is unfortunate that this evil
behavior (human trafficking) still rears its ugly head. Now, The
Salvation Army is part of a reviving movement for the abolition of
trafficking. It is a pleasure to team up with the Illinois
Department of Human Services on April 26 to raise awareness in
southern Illinois about the evils of human trafficking."
As part of the outreach, posters have been displayed across the
state through partners that include the Illinois Department of
Transportation, Chicago Police Department, Illinois State Police,
and many local community and faith-based social service agencies.
Volunteers will target locations where a potential victim of
trafficking or a first responder might see the message, such as in
highway rest stops, libraries, gas stations, health clinics,
restaurants, laundromats and retail stores. Various types of posters
have been produced in English, Spanish, Russian, Chinese, Korean,
Thai and Vietnamese.
[to top of second column]
 |
Outreach is one of the five statewide goals for the Illinois Rescue
and Restore coalition, along with training first responders,
prosecuting offenders, coordinating services for victims and
collecting data on human trafficking.
In 2005, Blagojevich signed House Bill 1469, the Trafficking of
Persons and Involuntary Servitude Act, making it easier to prosecute
human trafficking offenders and to assist victims.
The legislation established penalties for the offenses of
involuntary servitude, sexual servitude of a minor and trafficking
of individuals for forced labor and services. Forcing a person into
servitude ranges from a Class 4 to a Class X felony if kidnapping or
injury is involved. The bill also allows for restitution to pay back
a victim for forced labor. Further, the law allows Illinois
Department of Human Services, subject to availability of funds, to
provide emergency victim services.
The toll-free Trafficking Information and Referral Hotline,
1-888-3737-888, is designated to provide assistance to organizations
and victims of trafficking. The line helps organizations and victims
of trafficking by providing instant referrals to pre-screened aid
organizations in their city. Calls are referred to local service
agencies equipped to provide initial services to trafficking
victims.
To learn more about the campaign, visit
www.acf.hhs.gov/trafficking for information and resources or the
Illinois
Rescue and Restore site.
[Text from
Illinois
Department of Human Services
file received from
the
Illinois Office of
Communication and Information]
 |
