January is Sex Trafficking Awareness Month
EAC Network was awarded a $954,776 Department of Justice Office for Victims of Crime FY 2021 Services for Minor Victims of Sex Trafficking grant for the 10/1/21-9/30/24 project period. The grant will assist EAC Network in its mission to protect and care for children that have been or are at risk of being sexually exploited in Suffolk County.
Tania Peterson Chandler, Esq., MPA, SHRM-CP, Chief Operating Officer of EAC Network said, “these funds will reinforce and further support the expansion of our trauma-informed and developmentally appropriate services offered through EAC Network’s Safe Harbour program and Suffolk County Child Advocacy Center to minors who are victims of sex trafficking.”
Andrea Ramos-Topper, LMSW, Division Director of EAC Network’s Children’s Services said, “this grant is a dream come true. We can meet the individualized needs of minor victims of sex trafficking and youth who are also at risk of sex trafficking. By utilizing and promoting a holistic, victim-informed approach to service delivery, we can help reduce the revictimization of child sexual and physical abuse or neglect.” Ramos-Topper added, “January is Human Trafficking Awareness, which is a time for us to become educated about human trafficking including how to spot the signs of trafficking.”
The targeted geographic area to be served is Suffolk County, New York, with a focus within six communities that are more vulnerable to human trafficking, where poverty rates are higher than the county average, and the majority of trafficking victims reside. To learn more about our Suffolk Child Advocacy Center visit https://eac-network.org/suffolk-county-child-advocacy/, or our Safe Harbour program which provides the education, skills, and support that is needed for these children to lead safe and meaningful lives, visit https://eac-network.org/safe-harbour/.
