New York Anti-Trafficking Coalition

Mission Statement  

The New York State Anti-Trafficking Coalition is a group of organizations that have joined forces to  increase public awareness of human trafficking in our communities, enact anti-trafficking laws, improve law enforcement response and increase social services to help women and girls escape trafficking. New York is a leading entry, transit and destination point for trafficking victims. Last year, the New York Anti-Trafficking Coalition drove the passage of the first Anti-Human Trafficking Law in New York.

Safe Harbor Act Passes!  Advocates Await Paterson’s Signature:
Urge Governor Paterson to Help Sexually Exploited Children Today–Let’s Send Him Pens! 

The Safe Harbor Act (A.5258-c/S.3175-c) has finally passed in the NYS Senate and Assembly. The Safe Harbor Act will stop the arrest, prosecution, and incarceration of children involved in prostitution. Instead of punishing these children for being victims of sexual exploitation, the bill requires the state to create a range of community-based services so that these children can reclaim their young lives. Sexually Exploited Children Factsheet.

We are asking Coalition Members to send a pen with a message on it, along with a letter, to Governor Paterson today urging him to sign the bill into law. Can you imagine what an impact that would have on him and his staff, dozens upon dozens of deliveries from our amazing list of advocate organizations? Ideas for Pen Messages and Letter Template.
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Mean Streets: NY Teens Caught in the Sex Trade

On April 28th, over 150 people joined us at the LGBT Center for a documentary screening and community forum on changing laws, policies and attitudes about teen sexual exploitation. Advertised in places like Craigslist, sex with children is a thriving part of the NYC sex trade. Every year, kids as young as 12 are sexually exploited by pimps and johns, and they face a system ill-equipped to provide the services needed to help them reclaim their young lives. This disproportionately affects African-American girls, as well as gay and transgender youth. 

The documentary, “Teen Prostitution; Sex Workers or Victims?” was produced by National Geographic and is part of the Oxygen network’s “Who Cares About Girls” documentary series.  Speakers on the panel included Patti Binder, Deputy Director of Girls Educational & Mentoring Services (GEMS), Lori B. Iskowitz, Senior Trial Counsel, Asistant Deputy Borough Chief in the Family Court Division of the NYC Law Department, Jo Rees, Deputy Executive Director of Friends of Island Academy, and Lise Zumwalt, Producer of the film. The discussion was by moderated by NOW-NYC President, Sonia Ossorio. This event was sponsored by NOW-NYC.
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Hey HBO: Pimping Women Has Got to Go!

Thanks to all the coalition members who joined CATW, NOW-NYC, ECPACT, and others to make this protest a success!  HBO has been normalizing the demand for prostitution which fuels human trafficking. The most recent example is “Cathouse” which distorts the reality of sex industry by transforming pimps into businessmen, and presenting the buying and selling of women as harmless and normal.  Our protest help spread the truth about prostitution and sex trafficking and how HBO is profiting and promoting the world’s oldest oppression. The event was held on April 24th in front of the HBO Corporate Offices. Thanks to CATW for organizing this protest.