Bucks Coalition Against Trafficking to Hold Community Meeting

As part of its work with the Bucks Coalition Against Trafficking (BCAT), NOVA will hold its quarterly community meeting on the topic of Bucks County’s new massage parlor ordinance. The meeting will take place via Zoom on October 12, from 5-6 p.m. The presenter will be Chelsey Jackman, Deputy Bucks County Solicitor. The presentation is free and open to Bucks County residents, business owners, as well as victim service providers and government officials, both in and outside of Bucks County. To register, go to https://novabucks.org/events/.

The massage parlor ordinance is the first of its kind in Pennsylvania and the presentation will cover how the ordinance will be implemented in the county, as well as how regulations like this one can keep the community safe. In particular, the ordinance seeks to both deter illegal activities that seek to exploit people under the guise of a legitimate business, with the ultimate goal of putting an end to human trafficking. There will also be information presented on how BCAT and NOVA plan to respond to any new victims or survivors of human trafficking. A Question & Answer session will follow the presentation. To learn more about BCAT, contact Elyse Hoekstra, BCAT Organizer at Elyse.Hoekstra@novabucks.org.

About NOVA

NOVA supports, counsels and empowers victims of sexual assault and other serious crimes in Bucks County and works to prevent and eliminate violence in society through advocacy, training, community education and prevention programs. Founded in 1974, NOVA is a non-profit 501(c)(3), community-based organization operating out of three offices in Fairless Hills, Jamison and Perkasie. Services are made possible through the financial support of federal, state and local government grants and contracts, corporations, foundations and private donations. All contributions are tax deductible to the extent provided by law. For more information, visit www.NOVABucks.org.