Life after Trafficking: Reintegrating Survivors into our Communities

After severe weather forced a postponement, U.S. Representative Randy Hultgren (IL-14) announced he will host the 14th Congressional District Forum, “Life after Trafficking: Reintegrating Survivors of Human Trafficking Back into our Communities,” on Tuesday, September 22, from 5:00 to 6:30 p.m. CT at the Warren Township Senior Center in Gurnee. The event will highlight stories of hope for survivors of human trafficking and sex slavery, and what steps northern Illinois can take to help reintegrate these brave victims back into the community. It is estimated that 25,000 women and children are trafficked throughout the Chicago region every year.

“Our community has worked to raise awareness of the problem of human trafficking right in our backyard so we can save victims and prosecute the perpetrators who force women and children into the horrible practice of sex slavery,” said Rep. Hultgren. “But there’s hope and life after trafficking for these survivors around the world and right here in northern Illinois. I look forward to hearing stories of hope from survivors, and expert insight to find concrete ways to help reintegrate these victims back into flourishing and successful lives.”

Rep. Hultgren has made defending victims of human trafficking a top priority while in office, from hosting key anti-trafficking experts for Capitol Hill briefings, to convening community leaders in Illinois to fight the growing problem, and introducing legislation pushing nations to clamp down on the demand for commercial sex within their borders, a major factor contributing to the prevalence of sex slavery. For his efforts, Rep. Hultgren was recently appointed to the Executive Committee of the bipartisan Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission (TLHRC) with the mission to promote, defend and advocate internationally recognized human rights.

WHAT:

14th Congressional District Forum on Life after Trafficking: Reintegrating Victims and Survivors of Human Trafficking Back into our Communities

WHO:

Congressman Randy Hultgren (IL-14)
Karen Schultz, City Director, Refuge for Women/Chicago
Julietta Sanchez, human trafficking attorney, Administer Justice, and Attorneys Targeting Labor and Sex Trafficking (ATLAST)
Darci Jenkins, Midwest Regional Service Coordinator, Northern Tier Anti-Trafficking Consortium (NTAC)/Heartland Alliance
OR…
Megan Mahoney, Director, Northern Tier Anti-Trafficking Consortium (NTAC)/Heartland Alliance

WHEN:

Tuesday, September 22, 2015
5:00 to 6:30 p.m. CT (Registration begins at 4:45 p.m.)

WHERE:

Warren Township Senior Center
17801 W. Washington Street
Gurnee, Illinois 60031

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