Hand-made greeting cards
Some of the knitted items, mostly made at the NJV's craft lifegroup
Some of the donated jewelry items
The whole set-up in the NJV Church's lobby
13 December 2009
Our First Annual Craft Sale is a Great Success!
For the past three weekends, the NJV Love146 Task Force has been holding its first Annual Craft Sale. Many people from the North Jersey Vineyard Church and beyond have donated their talent and time by creating items for the sale. So far, over $900 has been raised, and there is still one weekend left! Below are pictures of some of the items that have been for sale.
28 October 2009
Not Just in Your Backyard, but Right Under Your Nose
Trafficking in America? Really? Well, I guess that's believable, but maybe you'd think it can't be on a large scale, right? I mean, police would be all over that. Before it got to be too big, surely the bad guys would get busted?
Well . . . check out this recent article from The Los Angeles Times.
52 children rescued in nationwide sex-trafficking raids
Federal officials arrest almost 700 people, including 60 suspected pimps, in a three-day crackdown on child prostitution. The youngest victim was 10, authorities say.
By Joe Markman
October 27, 2009
Reporting from Washington
Federal officials rescued 52 children and arrested nearly 700 people over the last three days in a nationwide crackdown on child prostitution.
Almost 1,600 agents and officers took part in the raids, which followed investigations in 36 cities, according to the FBI, local law enforcement agencies and the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. Included in the arrests were 60 suspected pimps, according to the FBI and local police officials.
Authorities say the youngest victim was 10.
In Southern California, two children were rescued in Riverside, and four adults were arrested, said Laura Eimiller, an FBI spokeswoman. Four suspected customers of child prostitutes were arrested in Orange County.
"It is repugnant that children in these times could be subjected to the great pain, suffering and indignity of being forced into sexual slavery for someone else's profit," Assistant Atty. Gen. Lanny A. Breuer said in a statement. He added that the latest raids show that "the scourge of child prostitution still exists on the streets of our cities."
The sweep, dubbed Operation Cross Country, is part of the Innocence Lost National Initiative, started in 2003 to address child sex trafficking in the U.S.
The initiative has rescued nearly 900 children; led to the conviction of 510 pimps, madams and their associates; and seized $3.1 million in assets, according to the FBI.
"We're having an enormous impact on this business," said Ernie Allen, president of the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children.
Most of the recovered children have been girls, who usually become victims of traffickers around age 12, Allen said.
He estimated that 100,000 children are still involved in sex trafficking in the U.S., adding that the problem is growing partly because of the recession.
joseph.markman@
latimes.com
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Well . . . check out this recent article from The Los Angeles Times.
52 children rescued in nationwide sex-trafficking raids
Federal officials arrest almost 700 people, including 60 suspected pimps, in a three-day crackdown on child prostitution. The youngest victim was 10, authorities say.
By Joe Markman
October 27, 2009
Reporting from Washington
Federal officials rescued 52 children and arrested nearly 700 people over the last three days in a nationwide crackdown on child prostitution.
Almost 1,600 agents and officers took part in the raids, which followed investigations in 36 cities, according to the FBI, local law enforcement agencies and the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. Included in the arrests were 60 suspected pimps, according to the FBI and local police officials.
Authorities say the youngest victim was 10.
In Southern California, two children were rescued in Riverside, and four adults were arrested, said Laura Eimiller, an FBI spokeswoman. Four suspected customers of child prostitutes were arrested in Orange County.
"It is repugnant that children in these times could be subjected to the great pain, suffering and indignity of being forced into sexual slavery for someone else's profit," Assistant Atty. Gen. Lanny A. Breuer said in a statement. He added that the latest raids show that "the scourge of child prostitution still exists on the streets of our cities."
The sweep, dubbed Operation Cross Country, is part of the Innocence Lost National Initiative, started in 2003 to address child sex trafficking in the U.S.
The initiative has rescued nearly 900 children; led to the conviction of 510 pimps, madams and their associates; and seized $3.1 million in assets, according to the FBI.
"We're having an enormous impact on this business," said Ernie Allen, president of the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children.
Most of the recovered children have been girls, who usually become victims of traffickers around age 12, Allen said.
He estimated that 100,000 children are still involved in sex trafficking in the U.S., adding that the problem is growing partly because of the recession.
joseph.markman@
latimes.com
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
30 September 2009
Problem of Child Sex Exploitation Makes It Onto Big Name Network TV Shows
http://abcnews.go.com/Nightline/inside-investigation-alleged-sex-predators-cambodia/story?id=8579591
And also, Somaly Mam, a child sex trafficking survivor, will be on the Oprah show Thursday at 4pm EST.
And also, Somaly Mam, a child sex trafficking survivor, will be on the Oprah show Thursday at 4pm EST.
18 September 2009
11 August 2009
In Your Own Backyard
New Jersey cracks a case of 'modern-day slavery
Saturday, August 08, 2009
Trish G. Graber
STAR-LEDGER STAFF
From Newark to Atlantic City, he preyed on women at bus stations, train stations and nightclubs. He flashed his cash, proposed dinner dates in New York City and promised them a taste of the "good life."
He sought out women on drugs, and offered them more; those who were not yet hooked, he gave them a hit.
For nearly two decades, Allen Brown Jr., a k a "Prince," of Jersey City, allegedly lured scores of women into a life of prostitution, first confiscating their cell phones and any form of personal identification, and then forcing them to turn tricks until they made a nightly quota of up to $1,000, according to law enforcement officials who announced Brown's indictment by a state grand jury yesterday.
"This is a case about human trafficking which, put simply, is modern-day slavery," said Attorney General Anne Milgram.
Six others, including Brown's mother and niece, were also indicted in connection with the human sex trafficking ring yesterday on charges that resulted from an investigation by state and local officials, dubbed "Operation Red Light."
Milgram described the women's situation as "a living hell of addiction and prostitution."
Since 1990, officials said, Brown, 47, recruited women from Camden, Atlantic City, Elizabeth, Newark and Philadelphia. He brought them to living quarters he called "stables," in Jersey City, some which had locks that could only be opened with a key that few people held. His last known location was an upscale condominium in the Society Hill section of the city, officials said.
All of the women, ages 17 to 43, were required to make a certain amount of money each day, ranging from $500 to $1,000, or face beatings.
Saturday, August 08, 2009
Trish G. Graber
STAR-LEDGER STAFF
From Newark to Atlantic City, he preyed on women at bus stations, train stations and nightclubs. He flashed his cash, proposed dinner dates in New York City and promised them a taste of the "good life."
He sought out women on drugs, and offered them more; those who were not yet hooked, he gave them a hit.
For nearly two decades, Allen Brown Jr., a k a "Prince," of Jersey City, allegedly lured scores of women into a life of prostitution, first confiscating their cell phones and any form of personal identification, and then forcing them to turn tricks until they made a nightly quota of up to $1,000, according to law enforcement officials who announced Brown's indictment by a state grand jury yesterday.
"This is a case about human trafficking which, put simply, is modern-day slavery," said Attorney General Anne Milgram.
Six others, including Brown's mother and niece, were also indicted in connection with the human sex trafficking ring yesterday on charges that resulted from an investigation by state and local officials, dubbed "Operation Red Light."
Milgram described the women's situation as "a living hell of addiction and prostitution."
Since 1990, officials said, Brown, 47, recruited women from Camden, Atlantic City, Elizabeth, Newark and Philadelphia. He brought them to living quarters he called "stables," in Jersey City, some which had locks that could only be opened with a key that few people held. His last known location was an upscale condominium in the Society Hill section of the city, officials said.
All of the women, ages 17 to 43, were required to make a certain amount of money each day, ranging from $500 to $1,000, or face beatings.
27 July 2009
03 July 2009
Not To Worry, We're Still Here
First, I'd like to apologize for the lull in entries the last few weeks. It's been quite a busy time. We here at the NJV Love146 Task Force attended the North Jersey Vineyard Church's Women's Luncheon on June 6. Love146 was honored at the luncheon, and Marie Morin, the Eastern Regional Director and co-founder of the Long Island Task Force, was the guest speaker. Her words encouraged the congregation, and we're grateful for her visiting us to share about the wonderful work of Love146. I was able to sit down with Marie for a few minutes to interview her for our blog. I hope you enjoy it and find it informative. Below the interview, I've posted some pictures from the evening.
Jewelry made by trafficking survivors.
Suzanne, a happy jewelry customer, with Marie Morin.
Quite a few people came out.
Marie speaks to the women of the North Jersey Vineyard Church.
We were all encouraged by what Marie shared with us.
Marie with the NJV Love 146 Task Force.
Coming soon, we'll be having a car wash this July. We're still trying to find a place to have it at, so if any of you out there know of a place, please e-mail us at njvlove146taskforce@gmail.com. We're also still planning to have some form of a walk-a-thon. I'll be sure to post the details when we have them.
I'd like to also remind everyone reading that while you are celebrating your freedom and those who fought for your freedom this July 4th, there will be millions out there on this day and every day that do not yet have their freedom. Let's pray and work together in the hope that one day all will be free.
"From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded; and from the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked." - Jesus of Nazareth
24 May 2009
Keep An Eye Out
Hey everybody,
We just wanted to get the word out. Exciting things are happening here in our local NJV Love146 Task Force. Ideas are coming, things are in the works.
On June 6, the North Jersey Vineyard Church will be having a women's luncheon with Marie Morin, the Love146 Eastern Regional Director, as a guest speaker.
We've also got a couple of fundraisers in the works. In July, we're planning a carwash. As the details are hammered out, we'll immediately update the site. Please keep checking!
We're planning something for August, too. We know you're excited!!
We also wanted to share an event with you that's happening in Brooklyn. The North Brooklyn Vineyard in conjunction with the Trash Bar will be hosting an anti-trafficking event. Here's the details:
B'klyn Against Human Sex Trafficking
Sunday, May 31, 6:00pm, $5 cover charge
Trash Bar, 256 Grand St. Brooklyn, NY
Schedule:
6PM THE HI-HATS / BBQ & FREE FOOD START!
http://www.myspace.com/thehihatsmusic
7PM JOHN FURSTE & STEVVI ALEXANDER
http://myspace.com/johnfurste & http://myspace.com/stevvialexander
8PM Presentation by international advocate JOHN ODEAN / OPEN BAR (PBR & Well Drinks)
9PM BUGS IN THE DARK
http://myspace.com/bugsinthedark
10PM DIESEL’N’DIXIE
http://www.myspace.com/dieselanddixie
+ DJ KENNY MITCHELL intermittently through the evening
http://www.myspace.com/djkennymitchell
We hope you can make it. We'll be there, but no bells.
We're only just getting started, so keep coming back to check the site. Meanwhile, check out some of the latest trafficking news from Google on the right hand side and visit some of the web resources to learn more about how you can help combat sex trafficking. Hope you are all having a great week!
10 May 2009
New Jersey Is Not Immune
Human trafficking a modern scourge
Public asked to help by reporting victims
Saturday, May 09, 2009
BY JEFF DIAMANT
Star-Ledger Staff
Some were from a rural town in Mexico, promised marriage in the United States but forced to work as prostitutes in Plainfield and Elizabeth.
Others were from Honduras, promised decent wages if they moved to America but made to work for free as hostesses at bars in Hudson County.
Still others were Russian, promised high-paying jobs but forced to dance for free in strip clubs.
All of these girls and young women were victims of human trafficking, and though their captors were eventually prosecuted, the restrictions they put on the victims made it difficult for them to get help, acting U.S. Attorney Ralph Marra said.
Marra spoke yesterday during a conference at Kean University on human trafficking during which he implored the public to help other victims who are "hiding in plain sight."
"Plain sight is somewhere -- hopefully -- (where) every citizen might have the opportunity to observe some of these girls," Marra said. "If someone looks young, if someone's not in school when they should be, if you find somebody like that, you should probably call" the state's human trafficking hotline, (877) 986-7534, he said.
"One human being brutally exploiting another human being is as old as human history. The 21st-century version of this is human trafficking," said Marra, whose office will soon prosecute a case involving a ring that allegedly forced girls from western Africa to work for free in hair-braiding salons in Newark and East Orange.
Authorities believe human-trafficking exploits tens of thousands of people each year in the United States, and that New Jersey, with its ports and airports and large immigration populations, is a hotbed for it. Foreign victims are often lured with promises of employment or marriage but are then forced to work as prostitutes, house cleaners, or in bars and restaurants for little or no money.
"As long as there's a demand for cheap labor and commercial sex, people will continue to be exploited," said Kathy Friess of the Statewide Human Trafficking Task Force. "Whether it's prostitution or farm labor work or factories or domestic help, there's always going to be a supply of people who are vulnerable to false promises or claims of ... opportunities for a better life."
Not only are human-trafficking victims hard for law enforcement to find, but those who are located often do not cooperate with investigations, said Brian Hayes, an FBI agent in Atlantic City who specializes in domestic human trafficking and sexual exploitation of children.
"These cases are tough," he said. "They are tough because the victims in child prostitution cases by definition are committing a crime. And they have a distrust of law enforcement. Just as illegal immigrants distrust law-enforcement, prostitutes distrust law-enforcement because they don't want to get arrested."
Further complicating investigations is the frequent reluctance of victims to turn on their captors, Hayes said.
"Victims lie," he said. "Victims care about their traffickers and their pimps. If we don't understand that, talk to people that you know who work with domestic violence victims and ask, 'Is it possible to love somebody that beats you?' And the answer is yes, as irrational as they may seem. It happens every day."
Jeff Diamant can be reached at jdiamant@starledger.com or (973) 392-154704 May 2009
Round Home is Open
This past week on April 28, 2009, Love146 opened their new safe home, "Round Home", in the Philippines. Round Home is now inhabited by seven rescued girls and several staff.
26 April 2009
The Inaugural Post
Greetings,
I'd like to thank you for visiting the brand new North Jersey Vineyard Love146 Task Force Blog. We task force members are hoping we can use this blog in the coming months and years to keep our readers abreast of upcoming events and trafficking news, share resources, and much much more. Please do stay tuned and bookmark us. But first, let us introduce ourselves and Love146.
Child sex trafficking is one of worst human rights abuse issues of our day. In 2006, the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) said they believed that 1.2 million children are trafficked annually. It is estimated that two children are sold every minute. Think about that . . . every minute. Even while you are safely sleeping in the comfort of your home, two children are being robbed of their innocence . . . every minute. Parents are losing their children . . . every minute. Children are losing hope and their futures . . . every minute. Isn't there some way to stop it? When the problem is global, not just in one state or country, can it be stopped? Is there a way to rescue these children? If they are rescued, can they ever have a full life after all they've endured? Well . . . we believe it is possible.
"In September 2002, Love146 Co-Founders Rob Morris, Lamont Hiebert, Desirea Rodgers and Caroline Hahm went on an exploratory trip to SE Asia to determine how they could serve in the fight against child sex trafficking. In brothels they saw young children being sold for sex. In safehomes they witnessed the miracle of restoration as they sang and danced with survivors. The goal of this and subsequent trips was not to “reinvent the wheel” but to find out where the greatest needs were and how they could be most helpful in filling those needs. After 18 months of research, networking and other foundational work, Love146 became an official Public Charity in March of 2004 under the name of Justice for Children Intl. In October 2007, JFCI became known as "Love146"." - taken from Love146.org
Love146 is one of many organizations working to end child sex trafficking. Love146 is dedicated to the prevention of trafficking and aftercare for trafficking survivors. Although there are organizations out there that focus on the rescue of trafficked children, Love146 does not do rescues. Currently, Love146 has prevention programs in Southeast Asia and in the USA and a safe home is being built in Southeast Asia. For more information on these programs, please visit http://www.love146.org.
The North Jersey Vineyard Love146 Task Force was started in 2008 after hearing a speaker from Love146 at the North Jersey Vineyard Church. We are dedicated to raising awareness about child sex trafficking and raising funds to help with Love146's programs. We have already hosted a benefit concert at the North Jersey Vineyard Church which grabbed the attention of The Bergen Record, The Leader, and the South Bergenite. We're currently planning more events, so please bookmark us and stay tuned!
I'd like to thank you for visiting the brand new North Jersey Vineyard Love146 Task Force Blog. We task force members are hoping we can use this blog in the coming months and years to keep our readers abreast of upcoming events and trafficking news, share resources, and much much more. Please do stay tuned and bookmark us. But first, let us introduce ourselves and Love146.
Child sex trafficking is one of worst human rights abuse issues of our day. In 2006, the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) said they believed that 1.2 million children are trafficked annually. It is estimated that two children are sold every minute. Think about that . . . every minute. Even while you are safely sleeping in the comfort of your home, two children are being robbed of their innocence . . . every minute. Parents are losing their children . . . every minute. Children are losing hope and their futures . . . every minute. Isn't there some way to stop it? When the problem is global, not just in one state or country, can it be stopped? Is there a way to rescue these children? If they are rescued, can they ever have a full life after all they've endured? Well . . . we believe it is possible.
"In September 2002, Love146 Co-Founders Rob Morris, Lamont Hiebert, Desirea Rodgers and Caroline Hahm went on an exploratory trip to SE Asia to determine how they could serve in the fight against child sex trafficking. In brothels they saw young children being sold for sex. In safehomes they witnessed the miracle of restoration as they sang and danced with survivors. The goal of this and subsequent trips was not to “reinvent the wheel” but to find out where the greatest needs were and how they could be most helpful in filling those needs. After 18 months of research, networking and other foundational work, Love146 became an official Public Charity in March of 2004 under the name of Justice for Children Intl. In October 2007, JFCI became known as "Love146"." - taken from Love146.org
Love146 is one of many organizations working to end child sex trafficking. Love146 is dedicated to the prevention of trafficking and aftercare for trafficking survivors. Although there are organizations out there that focus on the rescue of trafficked children, Love146 does not do rescues. Currently, Love146 has prevention programs in Southeast Asia and in the USA and a safe home is being built in Southeast Asia. For more information on these programs, please visit http://www.love146.org.
The North Jersey Vineyard Love146 Task Force was started in 2008 after hearing a speaker from Love146 at the North Jersey Vineyard Church. We are dedicated to raising awareness about child sex trafficking and raising funds to help with Love146's programs. We have already hosted a benefit concert at the North Jersey Vineyard Church which grabbed the attention of The Bergen Record, The Leader, and the South Bergenite. We're currently planning more events, so please bookmark us and stay tuned!
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