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Local Soroptimists to Host Human Trafficking Awareness Event Focusing on Victim Services

Soroptimist International to Host Human Trafficking Event Focusing on Victim Services to Create Public Awareness and Access to Resources.

Posted Mon, Nov 30, 2015 at 5:39 pm ET

A $32 billion annual industry, modern day trafficking is a type of slavery that

involves the transport or trade of people for the purpose of work. According to the U.N., about 2.5

million people around the world are ensnared in the web of human trafficking at any given time. Human

trafficking impacts people of all backgrounds, and people are trafficked for a variety of purposes.

Women and girls are typically trafficked into the commercial sex industry, i.e. prostitution or other forms

On Saturday, January 9, 2016, local chapters of Soroptimist International of the Americas will jointly

host a public awareness event that will provide information on the regional impact of human trafficking

and services for victims. The event will be held from 11am until 2:30pm at the Edward L. Kelly

Leadership Center, 14715 Bristow Road in Manassas. Admission is free. Light snacks and water will be

provided or attendees may bring a brown bag lunch.

Invited panelists include Tina Frundt, founder and director of Courtney’s House; Candace Wheeler,

founder and executive director of Restoration Ministries; and Dr. Kimberly Mehlman-Orozco, executive

director of the Justitia Institute. There will be an exhibition area providing additional resources for

attendees and a performance by local singer/songwriter Erin Ochoki.

This event is jointly hosted by Soroptimist International of Manassas, Soroptimist International of

Woodbridge and Soroptimist International Mid-Atlantic Online. All three clubs are a part of Soroptimist

International of the Americas, a global organization that works to improve the lives of women and girls

through programs leading to social and economic empowerment. Local members join with almost

80,000 Soroptimists in about 120 countries and territories to contribute time and financial support to

community-based projects benefiting women and girls. For more information about Soroptimist

International of Manassas, visit www.simanassas.org.