MEDFORD COUSINS JOIN INTERNATIONAL JUSTICE MISSION TO ADVOCATE FOR VICTIMS OF HUMAN TRAFFICKING AT U.S. CAPITOL

Medford residents and cousins, Dianna Sawyer and Sandy Smith, met with members of Congress to advocate for better policies to combat human trafficking and slavery.

MEDFORD, MA (June 16, 2014) – Medford residents and cousins, Dianna Sawyer and Sandy Smith, returned home late last Tuesday evening from Washington D.C. after meetings with the Massachusetts Congressional delegation. Dianna and Sandy were among nearly 300 individuals from 45 states who took part in a day of advocacy organized by human rights agency International Justice Mission (IJM). Participants met with more than 250 Congressional offices to build support for targeted U.S. investments to combat child slavery abroad.

In 2013, Congress authorized the State Department to secure “Child Protection Compacts” with individual governments for the purpose of supporting successful models for eradicating child trafficking. Earlier this year, Congress appropriated $5 million to kick-start the program. Sawyer, Smith, and fellow advocates from Massachusetts advocated for the selection of Ghana and the Philippines as the first two recipients of this new pilot program.

Both Ghana and the Philippines face a significant problem of children trafficked into sexual or labor exploitation. An IJM investigation into the fishing industry on Lake Volta in Ghana confirmed widespread use of child slaves; interviews with nearly 800 children revealed that an estimated 60% of children interviewed on the fishing boats were actual slaves. In the Philippines, specialized anti-trafficking police units have made strides in the effort to crack down on child sex trafficking, but the Philippines needs technical help in addressing the growing problem of on-line child sexual exploitation.  

Though all government agencies have faced budget cuts in recent years, U.S. citizens’ interest in eradicating slavery has kept the issue high on the political agenda in Washington for the past decade. “The message from the American people is clear: Congress needs to strengthen U.S. leadership in eradicating global slavery. There is strong public support for a much more robust foreign aid budget to fund victim rescue and law enforcement to put human traffickers behind bars,” said IJM Vice President Holly Burkhalter. “The nearly 300 abolitionist advocates from across the U.S. who joined us in Washington, D.C. are just the tip of the iceberg.”

“Both Sandy and I had advocated with IJM before, but this year was particularly special,” said Sawyer. “Not only did we speak up for 30 million slaves worldwide, but we had the chance to thank many members of the Massachusetts delegation - including Congresswoman Clark - for their partnership in the fight against human slavery and trafficking. It was a privilege to represent the town of Medford, knowing that our representatives are leading the way in these efforts. The reality that slavery exists in our world is sickening - but speaking up and advocating reminded us that we can make a change - it can start with us. It was also really special for Sandy and I to represent our family together.”         

IJM lawyers, investigators and aftercare professionals secure justice for victims of slavery, sexual exploitation and other forms of violent oppression. In 2013, IJM and IJM-trained partners brought relief to 3,555 victims of violence around the world. For more information about International Justice Mission visit www.ijm.org.

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