Campaign Launched to Increase Awareness of Human Trafficking

To combat the harrowing issue of human trafficking, the Montgomery County Human Trafficking Prevention Committee is introducing its inaugural education and awareness campaign. Montgomery County residents will soon encounter powerful anti-human trafficking messages displayed on buses, bus stops and various social media platforms. The ads will be placed on 12 buses in English and Spanish and be displayed at five bus transit shelters. The campaign will run through October.

The campaign is a collaboration of the County’s Human Trafficking Prevention Committee and the County Department of Health and Human Services.

"This campaign is not merely an initiative; it is a necessity to illuminate the issue of human trafficking," said County Executive Marc Elrich. “According to the U.S. Department of State, there are an estimated 27.6 million victims worldwide. It is crucial we take steps to educate all people on this topic as anyone can fall victim."

The campaign is fueled by statistics from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services that show:

• The number of individuals prosecuted for human trafficking surged from 729 in 2011 to 1,343 in 2020, marking an 84 percent increase.
• Convictions for Federal human trafficking offenses rose from 464 persons in 2011 to 837 persons in 2019. There were 658 persons convicted in 2020.

“This campaign is critical to raising awareness about human trafficking in the County,” said Wendy Stickle, chair of the Human Trafficking Prevention Committee. “Many people in the County do not know what human trafficking is, let alone that it exists in the County.”

In 2022, Montgomery County investigated 11 cases of sex trafficking and four individuals were charged with trafficking. Sex trafficking is an insidious crime that can victimize anyone regardless of age, gender, socioeconomic status or background.

“Trafficking in Montgomery County occurs in various places, including hotels, private homes and illegal spa and massage establishments,” said Montgomery County Police Chief Marcus Jones. “Our vice unit works extremely closely with our special victims unit to ensure that not only are victims assisted, but that traffickers are arrested and held accountable.”

The Human Trafficking Prevention Committee began as a task force in 2014 and transitioned to
a committee in 2017. The idea was based on a formal recommendation by the Montgomery County Commission for Women, which supports the committee.

The group consist of diverse members, including individuals, nonprofit service providers, advocacy groups and representatives from County agencies. The goal of the committee is to increase understanding of the issue in Montgomery County and to develop inter-agency coordination of strategies for responses and prevention.

To report sex trafficking crimes, call the National Human Trafficking Hotline toll-free at 1-888-
373-7888.

Community groups that would like more information about trafficking can email
cfwinfo@montgomerycountymd.gov to schedule a training or to learn more.

Family Justice Center Foundation Is Hosting a 13K Unique Run/Walk to Help End Domestic Violence Oct. 1-23

The Montgomery County Family Justice Center Foundation, in recognition of its 13 years of helping save lives, is hosting a unique 13K run/walk to help end domestic violence. The foundation is hoping participants will sign up to join the event between Saturday, Oct. 1, and Sunday, Oct. 23.

This 13K race recognizes the foundation’s 13 years raising awareness and funds in support of the work of the Rockville-based Family Justice Center and victims of domestic violence.

Participants can cover their 13k in any manner and at any time. They can run or walk individually or with others to support the event. Many entrants join as teams. The fee to enter is $35 per person, plus a $3.10 signup fee.

To sign up for the race, go to https://runsignup.com/Race/MD/Rockville/MCFJCFoundation13KtoHelpEndDomesticViolence.

The Family Justice Center co-locates multiple agencies in a safe and secure facility to provide coordinated advocacy, government, civil legal services and social services to victims of domestic violence and their children. The center is open to all and all services are free of charge. Victims can be helped in any language. Walk-ins are welcomed and no appointments are necessary.

The center, which is located at 600 Jefferson Plaza, Suite 500, in Rockville has a living room and kitchen facilities for clients, with a specially designed playroom for children.

The center provides victims with support and resources in a non-judgmental manner. Client assistants work with victims to create safety plans to protect themselves and their children. On-site therapists are available to respond to the emotional needs of victims and provide tools and support during the healing process. Counseling is also available for children who witness domestic violence.

Victims are provided with referrals to agencies that can directly assist with shelter, food, clothing and other basic needs. Attorneys provide pro bono legal assistance for protective orders and family law matters.

Police detectives and staff from the State's Attorney's Office assist victims seeking to file criminal charges.

More information about the Family Justice Center is available at https://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/fjc/ or by calling 240-773-0444.

‘RespectFest’ Free Event, Which Aims to Raise Awareness of Teen Dating Violence, Will Be Held in Wheaton on Sunday, March 27

Choose Respect Montgomery, which is dedicated to educating students and parents, and raising awareness, about teen dating violence, will host its annual “RespectFest” from 1-4 p.m. on Sunday, March 27, at the Wheaton Community Recreation Center. The free festival is open to middle and high school students, parents and youth-serving providers.

RespectFest will be a fun, interactive festival with games, activities, yoga, self-defense workshops, performances, a resource fair, free food and raffle prizes.

Students can earn Student Service Learning (SSL) hours for attending.

The Wheaton Community Recreation Center is located at 11701 Georgia Ave. in Wheaton. However, parking can big limited for big events, so attendees have the option of parking at Einstein High School at 11135 Newport Mill Rd. in Kensington and taking a free shuttle to the event. There also will be free buses from Seneca Valley High School in Germantown (leaving at 12:30 p.m.) and Richard Montgomery High School in Rockville (leaving at 12:45 p.m.) going to the festival.

RespectFest will open with opening comments from Debbie Feinstein, chair of the RespectFest committee, and Hana O’Looney, the student member of the Montgomery County Board of Education.

Among the activities will be 30-minute self-defense classes beginning at 1:30 and 2:30 p.m. Booths will be open focusing on dating violence, consent, bystander intervention and technology abuse.

A schedule of events and more information on RespectFest are available at https://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/fjc/chooserespect/RespectFest.html.

Public Can Access Free County Services to Prevent and Address Domestic Violence

Highlighting that October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month, Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich, County Councilmember Sidney Katz and other County leaders are urging the public to access County services to prevent and address domestic violence.

“Montgomery County offers free services to help people who are experiencing domestic violence,” said County Executive Elrich. “I urge anyone experiencing these issues to call our Family Justice Center or our Abused Persons Program – both offer free, confidential support to help promote safety, well-being and healing. Please spread the word.”

In an event to promote the services offered by the County, Elrich and Katz were joined at the Executive Office Building in Rockville by Acting Police Chief Marcus Jones, Sheriff Darren M. Popkin, State's Attorney John McCarthy, Assistant State’s Attorney Debbie Feinstein, Nicole Drew, president of the Commission for Women, and representatives of the Family Justice Center, the Abused Persons Program and members of the Domestic Violence Coordinating Council.

Montgomery County residents who would like to talk with someone and learn their options can call the Family Justice Center at 240-773-0444 or the Abused Persons Program at 240-777-4673. Both programs offer residents free, coordinated services and support. However, in case of emergency, people should not hesitate to dial 911.

More information on County services that can help is available at the press release.

October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month

October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month and County Executive Ike Leggett and County Councilmember Sidney Katz announced a Countywide campaign to raise public awareness. Domestic violence includes physical, emotional and financial abuse and affects people of all age, gender, racial, ethnic and socioeconomic groups. The outreach campaign will include advertisements on Ride On buses and bus shelters, social media, and other communications throughout the month of October.

Individuals encountering domestic violence are encouraged to call the Family Justice Center (FJC) at 240-773-0444 to access multiple services in one location, or to call the Abused Persons Program (APP) at 240-777-4673 for counseling and services to help end the cycle of violence. The FJC and APP coordinate support services, so individuals can dial either one to get needed help. However, in case of emergency, people should never hesitate to dial 9-1-1.

More information is available from the press release.

Support a New Start for Victims of Domestic Violence: Save the Date

The 4th Annual Benefit for the Montgomery County Family Justice Center (MCFJC) will be held on Sunday, October 13, from 5 to 9 p.m. at the Hyatt Regency Bethesda.

ABC7/WJLA-TV’s award-winning reporter and anchor, Greta Kreuz, will be Mistress of Ceremonies at the event that will benefit the work of the MCFJC, the County facility that assists domestic violence victims from “court to care.” The event will feature a silent auction, live auction and presentation of awards to individuals and organizations that are making a difference in the lives of victims and their families.

Proceeds will benefit the life-changing services of the MCFJC that have helped nearly 5,000 families from more than 100 countries since the center opened in 2009.

Tickets are $125 per person and online registration is available at www.mcfjcfoundation.org. RSVP deadline is September 30.

More information is available by emailing mcfjcfoundation.org@gmail.com.