Who do you see on the street corners? What words do you use to describe "them"? Does that man, woman, boy or girl, have any worth to our society? How do you talk about them once your a block further down the road. What do "they" look like? Why are "they" there at all? How did "they" get there? Do we know "them"? Do we want to?
That is the current situation. We don't know why they are there because we don't ask. There are a number of kids that spend their days on the street some purely by choice, others because of certain decisions they've made along the way, others because they've had no choice. For every kid we can see on the streets, there could be dozens that go unseen and unheard.
According to many in law enforcement, human trafficking is the largest organized crime industry in the world. It is a multi-billion dollar industry in the United States alone and we are not out of its reach here in Bellingham. What does human trafficking look like when we imagine it? Most likely it happens in South Eastern Asia or Africa and Americans are involved rarely, or if they are, only as patrons. Human trafficking happens here, in our neighborhood. In Whatcom County. We have to look at this together, think about it together, and make some changes to protect those most vulnerable in our community. This is our aim.
The Bridges Coalition is an alliance between and among individuals and groups in which they cooperate, each in their own self-interest, joining forces to eradicate the injustice of domestic minor sex trafficking. You play an essential role in our community. The Bridges Coalition aims to be an umbrella body unifying and facilitating training and action among individuals, social service providers, local authorities and the private sector for the purpose of this common cause .
We aim to do this by training those already working with an at risk population as well as educating the broader public about the realities of Domestic Minor Sex Trafficking in our community. This will include specifically:
-Accurate Identification of sexually exploited youth
-Safe reporting of tips to the proper authorities
-Responsibility and limitations of each of us as community members.
-Training for all potential first responders on DMST.
-The possibility of using the CASA program and/or other legal advocacy routes.
-Discovering what our local service providers need in public and private resources to provide the best possible care for victims of DMST, ie. Case management, juvenile detention advocate, education, etc.
Bridges Coalition Aims to work in 3 main arenas
1. Human Trafficking Victim Resources: This will range from partnering with a tip line or hotline, tip investigation (in partnership with law enforcement), facilitating receipt of services, job training, and community reintegration. We hope to facilitate the creation of protocol for community non-profit organizations on identification and response to a potential trafficking victim.
2. Connection/Training: In order for our goals to be met, a unification of purpose must take place between many different parties. An environment needs to be created to bring people together who do not often find themselves together. Here needs meet ability. Honesty meets comfort. In this arena people will be able to network with the other partners of the Coalition, get connected to serve, and bring training and/or information back to their own smaller communities. Some examples are: Community involvement with downtown Bellingham through volunteer service and receiving technical training on human trafficking and how to safely serve a community.
3. Communication/Exposing truth via the arts: This arena currently involves developing relationship with local artists in order to create and promote social entrepreneurship, commerce and a social stance against Domestic Minor Sex Trafficking.
We would like to invite you to become a partner in the Coalition. Please continue following this blog for updates on trainings, events, and information that could be pertinent to you and your place in this community.
During the next few months we will be developing community trainings targeting local service providers, community members, pastors, and other potential first responders. It is our duty and right as community members to be good witnesses of the injustices that happen before our eyes everyday but so often go unnoticed or if noticed, are misidentified.
If you are interested in the coalition or have questions about anything stated above. Please feel free to write any one of us at:
Robin Davis - Social Services Coordinator: robinmariedavis@gmail.com
Cameron Meyer – Training Coordinator: banjohand@gmail.com
Laura Converse – Arts Coordinator: laura.a.converse@gmail.com
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