January is a great time to raise awareness on human trafficking, but it is also important to keep the spirit of human trafficking awareness going. To assist, PCAR wants to share a few resources to help carry this issue throughout the year.
Helpful Resources
A Legal Guide to Human Trafficking in Pennsylvania: For Sexual Assault Legal Advocates
This guide is designed guide to help legal advocates be a voice for the voiceless. The guide reviews federal law along with Pennsylvania law and its application to some of the first cases prosecuted under Act 105, Pennsylvania’s Anti-Human Trafficking Law. Information on assistance available to victims of human trafficking in Pennsylvania is provided.
Understanding the Complex Trauma of a Trafficking Survivor: Webinar Series
This three-part series, presented by Heather Evans, LCSW, offers insight into the impacts of trafficking on survivors and provide recommendations and considerations for offering effective services and interventions. This webinar series is located on the PCAR/NSVRC e-learning campus.
SART Toolkit Sexual Assault Response to Human Trafficking
Sexual Assault Response Teams or SARTs, can and do play a critical role in responding to human trafficking when faced with it in your community. This section of the most recent SART Toolkit deeply examines the many aspects of human trafficking and has numerous connected resources to add advocates and allied professionals throughout the year.
Legislative News
Safe Harbor, SB 554, was signed into law on October 24, 2018 by Gov. Tom Wolf. Senate Bill 554 creates immunity for victims of human trafficking and sexual exploitation from some crimes; gives direction to the Department of Human Services to coordinate specialized services for sexually exploited children; requires training for law enforcement on how to identify and help victims; and establishes the Safe Harbor for Sexually Exploited Children Fund to support car for victims and to prevent human trafficking (“New Safe Harbor Law Will Protect Child Victims of Human Trafficking,” 2018).
Get Involved
PCAR offers an online community group for PCAR funded rape crisis centers on human trafficking networking and information sharing. This community is a great place to connect with rape crisis center staff from around the commonwealth to share ideas, programs, trainings and resources. Interesting in joining? Contact Tatiana Piper at tpiper@pcar.org or 717-728-9740 x162.
Wait, There’s More!
The PCAR Library is always a great place to look when searching for new and innovative research regarding human trafficking. Resources from the PCAR Library include reports, curricula, professional journal articles, coalition newsletters, and more pertaining to sexual violence, prevention, child sexual abuse, research, evaluation, and many other topics. You can search the online library catalog at any time.
Interested in becoming a patron? Contact Melissa Powers at mpowers@pcar.org or 717-909-0710 x175.