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pg 2 Human Sex Trafficking Symposium

WHAT’S INSIDE

pg 3 2014 Phenomenal Woman Awards Luncheon

May 2014

YWCA Greater Los Angeles Convenes Groundbreaking Symposium Aimed at Combating Domestic Sex Trafficking

Welcome to ONE VOICE,

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If you would like to receive One Voice via email, please email monica.galindo@ywcagla.org.

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Human Sex Trafficking Symposium continued on page 3.

On April 25th, YWCA Greater Los Angeles, in partnership with Southern and Northern California Legislators, Community Service Providers, Corporations and Survivors hosted a groundbreaking Symposium to explore next steps in combating Domestic Human Sex Trafficking. The symposium was an astounding success thanks to partners and friends who joined in the effort.

The event took place in the Peltz Theater at the Museum of Tolerance and featured expert panel discussions addressing:• TheChallengesWeFaceinCombatingDomesticSexTraffickingofChildrenin California• LosAngeles,SanDiegoandBayAreaDomesticSexTraffickingPrevention InterventionModelsandBestPractices• BuildingMulti-SystemCapacitytoRespondtoSexTrafficking

These efforts provided the platform for the discussion and proposal of innovative solutions to eradicate the crime of sex trafficking and rescuing vulnerable women and children from its terrible grasp.

“For too long, many have been silent on this issue that is greatly affecting communities across our state. The time is now for all of us to join together to plot out real solutions aimed at ending this abhorrent crime,” said Faye Washington, YWCA Greater Los Angeles President and CEO. “That is why we at YWCA Greater Los Angeles convened this symposium to speak out loudly for those victims whose voices have been silenced by fear and violence.”

The symposium opened with a welcome from Liebe Geft, Director of the Museum of Tolerance, followed by a video message from City of Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti highlighting the vital importance of the symposium.

CaliforniaAttorneyGeneralKamalaD.Harris,CongresswomanKarenBassandLosAngelesDistrictAttorneyJackieLaceyKeySpeakersatMuseumofToleranceEvent

pg 6 Sexual Assault Awareness Month

YWCA Greater Los Angeles expert panelists and speakers included

California Attorney General Kamala D. Harris, Congresswoman Karen Bass, Los Angeles District Attorney Jackie

Lacey, State Senator Holly Mitchell and White House Official Lynn Overmann

along with representatives from various legislative offices and community partners in the fight to stop sex

trafficking and provide comprehensive support to victims in our community.

We create a safe space to live, learn and grow.Top legislators and government officials who participated

in the event included Congresswoman Karen Bass, California Attorney General Kamala D. Harris, Los Angeles District Attorney Jackie Lacey, Los Angeles County Supervisors Mark Ridley-Thomas and Don Knabe, California State Assemblymember Isadore Hall, III, California State Senator Holly Mitchell, Alameda County District Attorney Nancy O’Malley, San Diego County District Attorney Bonnie Dumanis and City of Compton Mayor Aja Brown.

“We need at the very least a county-wide strategic plan that will involve all offices addressing sex trafficking working together to better share information and formulate solutions,” said Mayor Brown speaking on the panel discussing multi-system response to sex trafficking.

Also featured as a panelist was Lynn Overmann, Senior Advisor to the U.S. Chief Technology Officer in the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy, who offered an expert view on Federal efforts to develop technologically advanced solutions in combating sex trafficking. Ms. Overmann said the office is working on a tool to identify traffickers by pulling phone numbers, phrases and other details form trafficking ads.

California Attorney General Kamala D. Harris gave the keynote address focused on how law enforcement can best address the issue. “When we think about what should be done, our response understandably is we want to protect that child, hug her,” said Attorney General Harris, who as a prosecutor once

specialized in child sexual assault cases. “But to really do justice, to make justice a reality, it’s not just about hugging the victims. It’s about prosecuting the offender.”

During the event, one of the nation’s top business moguls and human rights activist, Kathy Ireland, was introduced as the first celebrity Ambassador for the YWCA Greater Los Angeles and she spoke of her passionate support of the YWCA GLA’s effort to combat domestic human sex trafficking as well as her own encounters with girls who were lured into that world during her time as a model.

The symposium concluded with a powerful “Call to Action” from Faye Washington who charged those in attendance to go beyond forming task forces to study the issue and move towards systemic change and concrete solutions.

“We need to work toward preventing trafficking, prosecuting offenders, protecting survivors and partnering with civil society, state and local government, the private sector, and faith-based organizations to maximize resources and outcomes,” said Washington.

She added, “We have already received a great deal of positive feedback and national news coverage on the symposium and we truly value our partners collaborating with us in our commitment to bringing an end to this horrible crime. It is our hope that all of the information that was shared and the relationships that were formed will result in the passing of legislation, effective programs and funding that will change the lives of victims of human sex trafficking.”

Human Sex Trafficking Symposium continued.

DOMEST IC HUMAN SE X TRAFF ICK ING

SYMPOSIUM

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Special Edition

The YWCA Greater Los Angeles is honored to feature special speaker Rachel Thomas, Sex Trafficking survivor and Founder of Sowers Education Group, at the 2014 Phenomenal Women Awards Luncheon. Rachel has turned a horrific experience in her life into an opportunity to educate others and promote awareness of this heinous crime.

“To have survived something like Rachel has is life-changing indeed but to choose to speak out and teach others with the goal of minimizing the atrocity of sex trafficking requires a tremendous amount of courage. We applaud Rachel’s strength and are honored for her to join us at this year’s Phenomenal Women Awards Luncheon – an event designed to celebrate phenomenal women just like Rachel,” shared Faye Washington, President and CEO of the YWCA Greater Los Angeles.

To help spread awareness about the little-known type of pimp she encountered, Rachel and her husband founded a company called Sowers Education Group and coined the term ‘CEO Pimp’. To read Rachel’s survival story, see below.

“There is another side of trafficking. For years I buried my story, I was ashamed. I began to realize that no one was sharing a story like mine in the media and information regarding Sex Trafficking. I was a happy girl from a good family. I went to college. I was smart and headed on a good path. There are pimps out there with a different approach. They wear three piece suits and begin with legitimate business opportunities. Sex Trafficking is happening to women like me,” shares Rachel.

The goal of Sowers Education Group goes beyond sharing Rachel’s story and enlightening communities about the “CEO Pimp”. They work to address negative messages in media and challenge decision makers to share positive images of women and a respectful perspective of relationships. Sowers Education Group works with various law makers, youth and community groups to raise awareness of the influence of pop culture.

“Every message is like a seed that is sown – what goes in, comes out. This is why we work hard to raise awareness about the negative seeds that are often prevalent in pop music and culture when it comes to sexual violence and pimping.”

A recent accomplishment of the organization was the completion of a pilot of their 12-week curriculum entitled “Ending the Game”. This curriculum is geared toward women who are still loyal to their pimp and/or a lifestyle of commercial sexual exploitation. The positive results were encouraging

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as most women reported significantly decreased feelings of attachment to their pimps. In the future, Sowers Education Group plans to have a series of curricula for survivors of trafficking to help them embrace their survivorship and rebuild self-esteem and learn again how not to be coerced or manipulated.

“The YWCA has a special place in my heart. My first job when I was 16 years old was working with a YWCA program in Pasadena called ‘Just For Girls’. The YWCA believes that each woman has strength and they encourage women to see that strength and they give them a license to be bold. I’m so glad to be able to lend my voice to the current efforts of the YWCA Greater Los Angeles.”

Proceeds from this year’s Phenomenal Women Awards Luncheon will benefit YWCA Greater Los Angeles programs that address Violence against Women. Join with Rachel in supporting the YWCA Greater Los Angeles and help us fight sexual assault and trafficking.

Rachel’s story: RachelwasinherjunioryearatEmoryUniversitywhenshe

unknowinglymetherpimp:aprofessionalandwell-spoken‘modelingagent’.Hehadbusinesscards,aportfolioofcontractswithrecognizablemodels,andconnectionsthroughoutAtlanta.Hegroomedherwithhigh-quality,all-expensepaidphotoshootsandlegitimatemodelingworkinvariousmusicvideosandmagazines.Heconvincedhertostartexoticdancingtoraiserevenueforhermodelingcareer.Then,toreceivepaymentfromavideo,heaskedhertofilloutaW4(includingher

Phenomenal Women Awards Luncheon Raises Funds to Eradicate Violence Against WomenEvent Features Special Speaker Rachel Thomas, Human Sex Trafficking Survivor

Continued on page 8.

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YWCA Greater Los Angeles Highlights:them being assaulted again decreases. We work with law enforcement individuals helping them know what to say to survivors. They cannot provide crisis counseling – this is not their job. We ask them to encourage the survivor into counseling and inform them of the services available. Officers respect our partnership and efforts because the survivors need our services. We are available 24/7. We accompany survivors to court, to the hospital, and to the police department. Why are you committed to your work at YWCA Greater Los Angeles and why is it important from the community’s perspective?I am committed to my work at the YWCA GLA, because it is respectable work that will affect the lives of those we serve for the rest of their lives. Our efforts educate and protect the community. The YWCA GLA does this work very well – we have a strong team. We work closely together and are grateful for great therapists, advocates, and volunteers. The goal is always to get each individual who walks through our door or calls our hotline to progress from victim to survivor to ‘thriver’. We want them to not only survive but thrive so they can help others. We have a good plan for survivors especially if they stay and take advantage of all the services we offer. “Nugget Moment”: what has been a special event or experience you have had while working at YWCA Greater Los Angeles?When I had the opportunity to advocate for a deceased victim who had no one in court representing her during the trial, this was a powerful moment. She was raped and killed by a man and the evidence was clear. I was given the opportunity to write and read an Impact Statement on her behalf. An Impact Statement is a powerful tool for a survivor. It is a document that is read aloud during trial to the perpetrator and it exclaims that they have no power over the survivor. I shared her story – that she was a school teacher, loved children, and that she had a loving father. It was satisfying to see this perpetrator proven guilty and sentenced to 25 years to life. What is something interesting about you that others might not know?I have a twin brother. He’s two minutes older. My dad named us “Vance and Vannessa” and he wanted my name to have two ‘n’s so the names would flow better together.

Vanessa Robinson, YWCA Greater Los Angeles Sexual Assault Response Team Coordinator

Meet Vannessa Robinson, YWCA Greater Los Angeles Sexual Assault Response Team (SART) Coordinator. Vannessa has been working at the YWCA for the last nine years. She began as the Crisis Advocacy Specialist and moved on to working more closely with volunteers, First Responders and Forensic Nurses. Vannessa is on the front lines of

the fight against Sexual Assault.

Why does the mission of the YWCA resonate with you personally? I am honored to work for an agency that is dedicated to eliminating racism. For every SART call I do and for every hotline call I answer, my focus is to empower the individual who needs assistance. What is your role as the SART Coordinator?As the SART Coordinator, I have a functioning relationship with each team member of the SART group, which includes law enforcement and Forensic Nurses. I work hard to make sure these relationships work well so we can most effectively help survivors. I travel between the three hospitals the YWCA GLA responds to for SART calls - Community Hospital Long Beach, Little Company of Mary San Pedro, and Little Company of Mary Torrance. I also perform regular SART presentations at law enforcement agencies. This helps educate officers regarding the best practices and how to approach a survivor of Sexual Assault. The first call they make is to the Forensic Nurse – this will ensure the proper evidence is collected in a SART kit for the detective - the second call is to our team. As the SART exam can be invasive and frightening for a survivor, we offer accompaniment services and will sit with a survivor through the exam. Why is it crucial for YWCA GLA to build and maintain strong working relationships with other agencies and partners including law enforcement and health professionals?These strong working relationships benefit the communities we serve. Our goal is to decrease the number of Sexual Assaults. If a survivor comes to us, the possibility of

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Meet Cari Dugas, YWCA Greater Los Angeles Volunteer Coordinator. Cari has been a member of the YWCA Greater Los Angeles Sexual Assault Crisis Services team for a year. She began in June 2010 as a volunteer advocate for the YWCA and accepted the Volunteer Coordinator position in March 2013. She holds a

Bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice and Sociology and has a passion for fighting inequality and injustice.

Why does the mission of the YWCA Greater Los Angeles resonate with you?There is so much injustice and inequality in the world. It is empowering to work for an organization which fights to correct this imbalance. Especially after my college experience focusing on Criminal Justice and Sociology, I wanted to be somewhere I could help those who are being discriminated against. The YWCA Greater Los Angeles is providing holistic, free care for women who could never otherwise afford these services and I’m proud to be part of this team. Explain your role in the Sexual Assault Crisis Services department.My job is to recruit and retain volunteers as well as provide the Sexual Assault Crisis Services Training to prepare them for receiving hotline calls and responding to the hospital. During the 56 hours of training, we cover a myriad of topics including: Rape Trauma Syndrome, oppression and discrimination, barriers in the LGTB community, and dispelling myths surrounding Sexual Assault. The training covers Crisis Intervention, handling suicide callers, various cultural responses to Sexual Assault, Domestic Violence and how this can intersect with Sexual Assault. We bring in SART members and discuss the role of the police, Forensic Nurse, and the Criminal Justice System. At times this is tough, heart-breaking work so we also incorporate a focus on self-care for the volunteer into the training. We encourage them to find time to take care of themselves by going to the spa, getting their nails done, or even just watching a funny movie. We want them to be able to help survivors get connected to life-changing services offered at the YWCA Greater Los Angeles.

What does being a SACS volunteer entail? After we provide the 56 hours of training, we ask for a commitment of one year with four six hour shifts per month. After that first year, many volunteers choose to stay but often with reduced hours as this work can be quite taxing. We have anywhere from 20 to 30 volunteers at a time. When a volunteer is ‘on call’ they speak with individuals who call the hotline and their job is to talk the caller through their crisis. Sometimes the assault is recent or it could be an assault that happened some time ago and they are experiencing a trigger – some external influence like a smell or visual element that reminds them of their assault and puts them emotionally back in that moment. Volunteers inform the caller about YWCA GLA Counseling Services and ask them if they would like follow up. We contact them within three days and get them services they need. Other times the call is an officer and we are requested to meet a survivor at the hospital. When we accompany them at hospitals, our job is to help the survivor feel more comfortable and not alone. We are here to make this horrific event easier for them. When a survivor is supported they are more likely to have the courage to report the crime. Why are you committed to your work at YWCA Greater Los Angeles? Why is it important from the community’s perspective?We need to help change the way people think. We must be aware of how society and pop culture support the objectification of women in music, advertising, TV and other arenas. We must work to dispel the myth that it is ‘just music’ or ‘just a movie’. Unfortunately, so many young men actually believe that women want what they see in TV, that ‘no’ means ‘try harder’ and that if it leads to Sexual Assault that is what women want. Thankfully, there are many men in this movement but we must include even more men in this fight against harmful attitudes and behavior that allow for and lead to Sexual Assault. We need to teach our young people to have a healthy view of sex and their bodies and women’s bodies. What is something interesting about you that others might not know?I have been a certified scuba diver since I was 18 years old and I love the ocean. It was empowering for me to go back to college in my 40s and attain two bachelors’ degrees.

Cari Dugas, YWCA Greater Los Angeles Volunteer Coordinator

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Sexual Assault Awareness MonthGiving Victims Back Their Voices

Since 2001, April has been recognized as “Sexual Assault Awareness Month” in the United States and YWCA Greater Los Angeles, along with many other organizations nationwide, uses it as a platform to draw attention to the devastating effects of rape. This year, the YWCA GLA accomplished a variety of community events across the region focusing on awareness and prevention.

“The YWCA Greater Los Angeles has been leading the fight against sexual assault in the Los Angeles region for over 30 years,” shared Alva Moreno, YWCA Greater Los Angeles Director of Sexual Assault Crisis Services. “The effort that began in our Compton rape crisis center in 1985 has grown to three active, impactful rape crisis centers across the Los Angeles area serving thousands of women annually with a strong group of staff and volunteers through a variety of services. Having an entire month dedicated to shining a light on sexual assault definitely allows us to increase our impact by drawing awareness to the issue.”

The month long awareness campaign commenced on April 1, 2014 with Ms. Moreno and Long Beach Empowerment Center Site Manager Olivia Alvarez joining with fellow members of the Long Beach Police Chief’s Women’s Advisory Group as Long Beach Mayor Bob Foster and the City Council proclaimed April 23rd, 2014 Denim Day in Long Beach. The Mayor urged citizens to join with YWCA GLA and its partners in combating sexual assault and helping to heal victims.

YWCA GLA also commemorated Denim Day in the city of Compton partnering with Mayor Aja Brown for a community event in the city’s courtyard in an effort to shine the light on the effects of rape.

“The idea of wearing jeans on Denim Day began years ago in protest to an Italian court which demonized a victim of sexual assault because she was, in their perspective, inviting rape due to the tight jeans she was wearing,” explains Alva Moreno. “The purpose is to fight against skewed attitudes and perceptions that allow for sexual assault to exist in our society.”

On April 26th, the YWCA Greater Los Angeles partnered with Supervisor Mark Ridley-Thomas and Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti as they led a march to bring awareness to child Sex Trafficking in Los Angeles County. The almost two mile march centered on Western Avenue which is one of the more active areas of child Sex Trafficking in Los Angeles. Over 1,000 individuals joined the march.

Additionally, throughout the month of April, the Clothesline Project was on display at the Long Beach Public Library. Each shirt in this collection represents survivors of sexual assault and it symbolizes the need to ‘air out the dirty laundry of violence against women’. On April 22nd and 23rd, YWCA Greater Los Angeles Sexual Assault Crisis Services staff displayed the clothesline at Cal State University Long Beach and provided blank supplies for victims to express their story through designing a shirt.

Long Beach Mayor Bob Foster and the City Council proclaimed April 23rd, 2014 Denim Day in Long Beach.

YWCA Greater Los Angeles participated in a march to bring awareness to child Sex Trafficking in Los Angeles County.

YWCA Greater Los Angeles Sexual Assault Crisis Services staff displayed the clothesline project at the Long Beach Public Library and at Cal State University Long Beach.

YWCA Greater Los Angeles Service Locations:

To support the work of the YWCA Greater Los Angeles visit: www.ywcagla.org

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Sexual Assault Outreach Specialist, Olivia Alvarez closed out the activities of “Week Without Violence” with a Community Self-Defense Class at Union Pacific.

Supervisor Gloria Molina Community Empowerment CenterGrand Opening June 14, 2014! 7515 Pacific Blvd. Walnut Park, CA 90255Programs:Child Development, Sexual Assault Crisis Services

YWCA GLA at Osborne12059 Osborne Street Sylmar, CA 91331 Programs: Seniors, Transitional Housing

Angeles Mesa Empowerment Center 2501 W. Vernon Avenue Los Angeles, CA 90008Programs:Child Development, Sexual Assault Crisis Services

North Valley Child Development Center 11133 Omelveny AveSan Fernando, CA 91340Programs: Child Development

Faye Washington Youth Empowerment Center1020 South Olive Street Los Angeles, CA 90015Programs: Job Corps, Workforce Training

Studio Club Empowerment Center1215 Lodi Place Los Angeles, CA 90038Programs: Transitional Housing

South Bay Sexual Assault Crisis Center920 Atlantic Avenue Long Beach, CA 90813Programs: Sexual Assault Crisis Services

Felicia Mahood Senior Center11338 Santa Monica Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA 90028Program: Seniors

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Union Pacific Empowerment Center 4315 Union Pacific Avenue Los Angeles, CA 90023Programs: Childcare, Seniors, Youth

North Valley Empowerment Center1200 North Maclay Avenue San Fernando, CA 91340Programs: Child Development

Compton Empowerment Center 1600 E. Compton Blvd. Compton, CA 90221Programs: Child Development, Sexual Assault Crisis Services

greater los angeles

CREATING MOMENTUM FOR THE FUTURE

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The YWCA Greater Los Angeles is dedicated to eliminating racism, empowering women and promoting peace, justice, freedom, and dignity for all.

Become a member today and ADD YOUR voice to help change YOUR community and empower lives! Visit ywcagla.org/membership for more information.

The YWCA Greater Los Angeles: Safe space to live, learn and grow.

Officers:Eleanor Beasley Board Chairwoman

Lisa D. Cagnolatti Board Vice Chair

Alva P. Adams-Mason Secretary

Patricia Keane Treasurer

Elected Members:Margaret Leong Checca

Dr. Annalisa EnrileGerald M. FordMaria L. Garcia

Vivian D. Howell Amanda J. Lee

Patricia Reed-Cunningham

Faye Washington President and CEO

YWCA Greater Los Angeles Board of Directors

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Phenomenal Woman Awards story continued.

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parent’shomeaddressandSSN).Shortlyafterthis,theirrelationshipturneddangerous.Hebeganforcinghertohavesexwithclientsfromthestripclubandanyoneelsewhowouldpay.Hethreatenedtokillherfamily,killher,openlinesofcreditinhername,andmore.Hebecamephysicallyandmentallyabusive.Thankfully,anotherofthepimp’svictimsbroughtthecasetothepolice.Twoyearslater,Rachel’spimpwassentencedto15yearsinprison.Uponhisarrest,theFBIfoundoutthatthismanhadvictimizedmorethan75girlsforoversevenyears,preyingonnaivecollegegirlsofallraceswhowereawayfromhome.TolearnmoreaboutSowersEducationGroupvisitsowerseducationgroup.com.