May 2014 Receive One Voice Via Email, Please Email Pg 2 Human Sex Trafficking Pg 4 YWCA Greater Los Angeles Monica.Galindo@Ywcagla.Org

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YWCA Greater Los Angeles Convenes Welcome to Groundbreaking Symposium Aimed at Combating Domestic Sex Trafficking ONE VOICE, California Attorney General Kamala D. Harris, Congresswoman Karen Bass ONE MOVEMENT, and Los Angeles District Attorney Jackie Lacey Key Speakers at Museum of ONE VISION. Tolerance Event On April 25th, YWCA Greater Los Angeles, in partnership with Southern and Northern California Legislators, Community Service Providers, Corporations and Survivors hosted a groundbreaking Symposium to explore next steps in combating Domestic Human Sex Trafficking. The symposium was an astounding success thanks to partners and friends who joined in the effort. The event took place in the Peltz Theater at the Museum of Tolerance and featured expert panel discussions addressing: • The Challenges We Face in Combating Domestic Sex Trafficking of Children in California • Los Angeles, San Diego and Bay Area Domestic Sex Trafficking Prevention Intervention Models and Best Practices • Building Multi-System Capacity to Respond to Sex Trafficking These efforts provided the platform for the discussion and proposal of innovative solutions to eradicate the crime of sex trafficking and rescuing vulnerable women and YWCA Greater Los Angeles expert children from its terrible grasp. panelists and speakers included “For too long, many have been silent on this issue that is greatly affecting California Attorney General Kamala D. communities across our state. The time is now for all of us to join together to plot Harris, Congresswoman Karen Bass, out real solutions aimed at ending this abhorrent crime,” said Faye Washington, Los Angeles District Attorney Jackie YWCA Greater Los Angeles President and CEO. “That is why we at YWCA Greater Lacey, State Senator Holly Mitchell and Los Angeles convened this symposium to speak out loudly for those victims whose White House Official Lynn Overmann voices have been silenced by fear and violence.” along with representatives from various The symposium opened with a welcome from Liebe Geft, Director of the Museum legislative offices and community partners in the fight to stop sex of Tolerance, followed by a video message from City of Los Angeles Mayor Eric trafficking and provide comprehensive Garcetti highlighting the vital importance of the symposium. support to victims in our community. Human Sex Trafficking Symposium continued on page 3.

If you would like to WHAT’S INSIDE May 2014 receive One Voice via email, please email pg 2 Human Sex Trafficking pg 4 YWCA Greater Los Angeles [email protected]. Symposium Highlights

pg 3 2014 Phenomenal Woman pg 6 Sexual Assault Awareness Awards Luncheon Month Special Edition We create a safe space to live, learn and grow. Human Sex Trafficking Symposium continued.

Top legislators and government officials who participated specialized in child sexual assault cases. “But to really do justice, YWCA GREATER LOS ANGELES PRESENTS in the event included Congresswoman Karen Bass, California to make justice a reality, it’s not just about hugging the victims. Attorney General Kamala D. Harris, Los Angeles District It’s about prosecuting the offender.” Attorney Jackie Lacey, Los Angeles County Supervisors During the event, one of the nation’s top business moguls and Mark Ridley-Thomas and Don Knabe, California State human rights activist, Kathy Ireland, was introduced as the first Assemblymember Isadore Hall, III, California State Senator Holly celebrity Ambassador for the YWCA Greater Los Angeles and Phenomenal Woman Awards 2014 Mitchell, Alameda County District Attorney Nancy O’Malley, she spoke of her passionate support of the YWCA GLA’s effort San Diego County District Attorney Bonnie Dumanis and City of to combat domestic human sex trafficking as well as her own Compton Mayor Aja Brown. encounters with girls who were lured into that world during her Phenomenal Women Awards Luncheon Raises Funds to Eradicate Violence Against Women “We need at the very least a county-wide strategic plan that will time as a model. Event Features Special Speaker Rachel Thomas, Human Sex Trafficking Survivor involve all offices addressing sex trafficking working together The symposium concluded with a powerful “Call to Action” to better share information and formulate solutions,” said Mayor from Faye Washington who charged those in attendance to go he YWCA Greater Los Angeles is honored to feature as most women reported significantly decreased feelings of Brown speaking on the panel discussing multi-system response to beyond forming task forces to study the issue and move towards special speaker Rachel Thomas, Sex Trafficking survivor attachment to their pimps. In the future, Sowers Education Group sex trafficking. systemic change and concrete solutions. and Founder of Sowers Education Group, at the 2014 plans to have a series of curricula for survivors of trafficking to Also featured as a panelist was Lynn Overmann, Senior “We need to work toward preventing trafficking, prosecuting T Phenomenal Women Awards Luncheon. Rachel has turned a help them embrace their survivorship and rebuild self-esteem and Advisor to the U.S. Chief Technology Officer in the White offenders, protecting survivors and partnering with civil society, horrific experience in her life into an opportunity to educate learn again how not to be coerced or manipulated. House Office of Science and Technology Policy, who offered state and local government, the private sector, and faith-based others and promote awareness of this heinous crime. an expert view on Federal efforts to develop technologically organizations to maximize resources and outcomes,” said “The YWCA has a special place in my heart. My first job advanced solutions in combating sex trafficking. Ms. Overmann Washington. “To have survived something like Rachel has is life-changing when I was 16 years old was working with a YWCA program said the office is working on a tool to identify traffickers by She added, “We have already received a great deal of positive indeed but to choose to speak out and teach others with the in Pasadena called ‘Just For Girls’. The YWCA believes that pulling phone numbers, phrases and other details form trafficking feedback and national news coverage on the symposium and we goal of minimizing the atrocity of sex trafficking requires a each woman has strength and they encourage women to see that ads. truly value our partners collaborating with us in our commitment tremendous amount of courage. We applaud Rachel’s strength strength and they give them a license to be bold. I’m so glad to be California Attorney General Kamala D. Harris gave the to bringing an end to this horrible crime. It is our hope that all of and are honored for her to join us at this year’s Phenomenal able to lend my voice to the current efforts of the YWCA Greater keynote address focused on how law enforcement can best the information that was shared and the relationships that were Women Awards Luncheon – an event designed to celebrate Los Angeles.” address the issue. “When we think about what should be done, formed will result in the passing of legislation, effective programs phenomenal women just like Rachel,” shared Faye Washington, Proceeds from this year’s Phenomenal Women Awards our response understandably is we want to protect that child, hug and funding that will change the lives of victims of human sex President and CEO of the YWCA Greater Los Angeles. Luncheon will benefit YWCA Greater Los Angeles programs that her,” said Attorney General Harris, who as a prosecutor once trafficking.” To help spread awareness about the little-known type of pimp address Violence against Women. Join with Rachel in supporting she encountered, Rachel and her husband founded a company the YWCA Greater Los Angeles and help us fight sexual assault called Sowers Education Group and coined the term ‘CEO Pimp’. and trafficking. DOMESTIC To read Rachel’s survival story, see below. “There is another side of trafficking. For years I buried my HUMAN SEX TRAFFICKING story, I was ashamed. I began to realize that no one was sharing a story like mine in the media and information regarding Sex Rachel’s story: SYMPOSIUM Trafficking. I was a happy girl from a good family. I went to Rachel was in her junior year at Emory University when she college. I was smart and headed on a good path. There are pimps unknowingly met her pimp: a professional and well-spoken out there with a different approach. They wear three piece suits ‘modeling agent’. He had business cards, a portfolio of contracts and begin with legitimate business opportunities. Sex Trafficking with recognizable models, and is happening to women like me,” shares Rachel. connections throughout The goal of Sowers Education Group goes beyond sharing Atlanta. He groomed Rachel’s story and enlightening communities about the “CEO her with high-quality, Pimp”. They work to address negative messages in media and all-expense paid photo challenge decision makers to share positive images of women and shoots and legitimate a respectful perspective of relationships. Sowers Education Group modeling work in works with various law makers, youth and community groups to various music videos raise awareness of the influence of pop culture. and magazines. He convinced her to start “Every message is like a seed that is sown – what goes in, exotic dancing to comes out. This is why we work hard to raise awareness about raise revenue for her the negative seeds that are often prevalent in pop music and modeling career. Then, culture when it comes to sexual violence and pimping.” to receive payment from A recent accomplishment of the organization was the a video, he asked her completion of a pilot of their 12-week curriculum entitled to fill out a W4 “Ending the Game”. This curriculum is geared toward women (including her who are still loyal to their pimp and/or a lifestyle of commercial Continued on page 8. sexual exploitation. The positive results were encouraging PAGE 2 PAGE 3 ONE VOICE ONE VOICE

YWCA Greater Los Angeles Highlights: Vanessa Robinson, YWCA Greater Los Angeles Sexual Assault Response Team Coordinator Cari Dugas, YWCA Greater Los Angeles Volunteer Coordinator

eet Vannessa them being assaulted again decreases. We work with law eet Cari Dugas, What does being a SACS volunteer entail? Robinson, YWCA enforcement individuals helping them know what to say to YWCA Greater After we provide the 56 hours of training, we ask for a Greater Los survivors. They cannot provide crisis counseling – this is Los Angeles commitment of one year with four six hour shifts per month. Angeles Sexual not their job. We ask them to encourage the survivor into Volunteer After that first year, many volunteers choose to stay but MAssault Response Team (SART) counseling and inform them of the services available. Officers MCoordinator. Cari has been a often with reduced hours as this work can be quite taxing. Coordinator. Vannessa has been respect our partnership and efforts because the survivors need member of the YWCA Greater We have anywhere from 20 to 30 volunteers at a time. When working at the YWCA for the our services. We are available 24/7. We accompany survivors Los Angeles Sexual Assault a volunteer is ‘on call’ they speak with individuals who last nine years. She began as to court, to the hospital, and to the police department. Crisis Services team for a call the hotline and their job is to talk the caller through the Crisis Advocacy Specialist year. She began in June 2010 their crisis. Sometimes the assault is recent or it could and moved on to working more Why are you committed to your work at YWCA Greater as a volunteer advocate for be an assault that happened some time ago and they are closely with volunteers, First Los Angeles and why is it important from the community’s the YWCA and accepted the experiencing a trigger – some external influence like a smell Responders and Forensic Nurses. perspective? Volunteer Coordinator position or visual element that reminds them of their assault and puts Vannessa is on the front lines of I am committed to my work at the YWCA GLA, because it is in March 2013. She holds a them emotionally back in that moment. Volunteers inform the fight against Sexual Assault. respectable work that will affect the lives of those we serve Bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice and Sociology and has the caller about YWCA GLA Counseling Services and ask for the rest of their lives. Our efforts educate and protect the a passion for fighting inequality and injustice. them if they would like follow up. We contact them within Why does the mission of the YWCA resonate with you community. The YWCA GLA does this work very well – we three days and get them services they need. Other times the personally? have a strong team. We work closely together and are grateful Why does the mission of the YWCA Greater Los Angeles call is an officer and we are requested to meet a survivor at I am honored to work for an agency that is dedicated to for great therapists, advocates, and volunteers. The goal is resonate with you? the hospital. When we accompany them at hospitals, our job eliminating racism. For every SART call I do and for every always to get each individual who walks through our door There is so much injustice and inequality in the world. It is to help the survivor feel more comfortable and not alone. hotline call I answer, my focus is to empower the individual or calls our hotline to progress from victim to survivor to is empowering to work for an organization which fights We are here to make this horrific event easier for them. who needs assistance. ‘thriver’. We want them to not only survive but thrive so they to correct this imbalance. Especially after my college When a survivor is supported they are more likely to have can help others. We have a good plan for survivors especially experience focusing on Criminal Justice and Sociology, I the courage to report the crime. What is your role as the SART Coordinator? if they stay and take advantage of all the services we offer. wanted to be somewhere I could help those who are being As the SART Coordinator, I have a functioning relationship discriminated against. The YWCA Greater Los Angeles is Why are you committed to your work at YWCA Greater with each team member of the SART group, which includes “Nugget Moment”: what has been a special event or providing holistic, free care for women who could never Los Angeles? Why is it important from the community’s law enforcement and Forensic Nurses. I work hard to make experience you have had while working at YWCA Greater otherwise afford these services and I’m proud to be part of perspective? sure these relationships work well so we can most effectively Los Angeles? this team. We need to help change the way people think. We must help survivors. I travel between the three hospitals the YWCA When I had the opportunity to advocate for a deceased victim be aware of how society and pop culture support the GLA responds to for SART calls - Community Hospital who had no one in court representing her during the trial, this Explain your role in the Sexual Assault Crisis Services objectification of women in music, advertising, TV and Long Beach, Little Company of Mary San Pedro, and Little was a powerful moment. She was raped and killed by a man department. other arenas. We must work to dispel the myth that it is ‘just Company of Mary Torrance. I also perform regular SART and the evidence was clear. I was given the opportunity to My job is to recruit and retain volunteers as well as provide music’ or ‘just a movie’. Unfortunately, so many young men presentations at law enforcement agencies. This helps educate write and read an Impact Statement on her behalf. An Impact the Sexual Assault Crisis Services Training to prepare them actually believe that women want what they see in TV, that officers regarding the best practices and how to approach Statement is a powerful tool for a survivor. It is a document for receiving hotline calls and responding to the hospital. ‘no’ means ‘try harder’ and that if it leads to Sexual Assault a survivor of Sexual Assault. The first call they make is to that is read aloud during trial to the perpetrator and it exclaims During the 56 hours of training, we cover a myriad of that is what women want. Thankfully, there are many men the Forensic Nurse – this will ensure the proper evidence is that they have no power over the survivor. I shared her story – topics including: Rape Trauma Syndrome, oppression in this movement but we must include even more men in collected in a SART kit for the detective - the second call is to that she was a school teacher, loved children, and that she had and discrimination, barriers in the LGTB community, and this fight against harmful attitudes and behavior that allow our team. As the SART exam can be invasive and frightening a loving father. It was satisfying to see this perpetrator proven dispelling myths surrounding Sexual Assault. The training for and lead to Sexual Assault. We need to teach our young for a survivor, we offer accompaniment services and will sit guilty and sentenced to 25 years to life. covers Crisis Intervention, handling suicide callers, various people to have a healthy view of sex and their bodies and with a survivor through the exam. cultural responses to Sexual Assault, Domestic Violence women’s bodies. What is something interesting about you that others might and how this can intersect with Sexual Assault. We bring in Why is it crucial for YWCA GLA to build and maintain not know? SART members and discuss the role of the police, Forensic What is something interesting about you that others strong working relationships with other agencies I have a twin brother. He’s two minutes older. My dad named Nurse, and the Criminal Justice System. At times this is might not know? and partners including law enforcement and health us “Vance and Vannessa” and he wanted my name to have two tough, heart-breaking work so we also incorporate a focus I have been a certified scuba diver since I was 18 years old professionals? ‘n’s so the names would flow better together. on self-care for the volunteer into the training. We encourage and I love the ocean. It was empowering for me to go back These strong working relationships benefit the communities them to find time to take care of themselves by going to to college in my 40s and attain two bachelors’ degrees. we serve. Our goal is to decrease the number of Sexual the spa, getting their nails done, or even just watching a Assaults. If a survivor comes to us, the possibility of funny movie. We want them to be able to help survivors get connected to life-changing services offered at the YWCA Greater Los Angeles.

PAGE 4 PAGE 5 ONE VOICE ONE VOICE

Sexual Assault Awareness Month CREATING MOMENTUM FOR THE FUTURE Giving Victims Back Their Voices YWCA Greater Los Angeles Service Locations: Since 2001, April has been recognized as “Sexual Assault Awareness Month” in the United States and YWCA Greater Los Angeles, along with many other organizations nationwide, uses it as a platform to draw attention to the devastating effects of rape. This year, the YWCA GLA accomplished a variety of YWCA Greater Los Angeles participated in community events across the region focusing on awareness and a march to bring awareness to child Sex prevention. Trafficking in Los Angeles County. “The YWCA Greater Los Angeles has been leading the Faye Washington Youth Union Pacific Supervisor Gloria Molina fight against sexual assault in the Los Angeles region for over Empowerment Center Empowerment Center Community Empowerment Center 1020 South Olive Street 4315 Union Pacific Avenue Grand Opening June 14, 2014! 30 years,” shared Alva Moreno, YWCA Greater Los Angeles Los Angeles, CA 90015 Los Angeles, CA 90023 7515 Pacific Blvd. Director of Sexual Assault Crisis Services. “The effort that Programs: Job Corps, Programs: Childcare, Seniors, Walnut Park, CA 90255 began in our Compton rape crisis center in 1985 has grown Workforce Training Youth Programs:Child Development, to three active, impactful rape crisis centers across the Los Sexual Assault Crisis Services Angeles area serving thousands of women annually with a strong group of staff and volunteers through a variety of services. Having an entire month dedicated to shining a light on sexual assault definitely allows us to increase our impact by drawing awareness to the issue.” The month long awareness campaign commenced on Long Beach Mayor Bob Foster and the City April 1, 2014 with Ms. Moreno and Long Beach Empowerment Council proclaimed April 23rd, 2014 Denim Center Site Manager Olivia Alvarez joining with fellow Day in Long Beach. Studio Club members of the Long Beach Police Chief’s Women’s Advisory YWCA GLA at Osborne Empowerment Center greater los angeles 12059 Osborne Street Group as Long Beach Mayor Bob Foster and the City Council 1215 Lodi Place Sylmar, CA 91331 proclaimed April 23rd, 2014 Denim Day in Long Beach. The Los Angeles, CA 90038 Programs: Seniors, Mayor urged citizens to join with YWCA GLA and its partners Programs: Transitional Housing Transitional Housing in combating sexual assault and helping to heal victims. YWCA GLA also commemorated Denim Day in the city of Compton partnering with Mayor Aja Brown for a community event in the city’s courtyard in an effort to shine the light on the effects of rape. “The idea of wearing jeans on Denim Day began years ago in protest to an Italian court which demonized a victim of sexual assault because she was, in their perspective, inviting rape due to the tight jeans she was wearing,” explains Alva South Bay Sexual Assault North Valley Angeles Mesa Moreno. “The purpose is to fight against skewed attitudes and Crisis Center Empowerment Center Empowerment Center perceptions that allow for sexual assault to exist in our society.” 920 Atlantic Avenue 1200 North Maclay Avenue 2501 W. Vernon Avenue On April 26th, the YWCA Greater Los Angeles partnered Long Beach, CA 90813 San Fernando, CA 91340 Los Angeles, CA 90008 with Supervisor Mark Ridley-Thomas and Los Angeles Mayor Programs: Sexual Assault Programs: Child Development Programs:Child Development, Crisis Services Sexual Assault Crisis Services Eric Garcetti as they led a march to bring awareness to child Sex Trafficking in Los Angeles County. The almost two mile march centered on Western Avenue which is one of the more active areas of child Sex Trafficking in Los Angeles. Over 1,000 individuals joined the march. Additionally, throughout the month of April, the Clothesline YWCA Greater Los Angeles Project was on display at the Long Beach Public Library. Each shirt in this collection represents survivors of sexual assault and Sexual Assault Crisis Services staff displayed the clothesline Sexual Assault Outreach Specialist, Olivia Alvarez closed out the activities of “Week Without Violence” with a Community Self-Defense Class at Union Pacific. it symbolizes the need to ‘air out the dirty laundry of violence project at the Long Beach Felicia Mahood Senior Center Compton North Valley Child against women’. On April 22nd and 23rd, YWCA Greater Los Public Library and at Cal State 11338 Santa Monica Boulevard, Empowerment Center Development Center Angeles Sexual Assault Crisis Services staff displayed the University Long Beach. Los Angeles, CA 90028 1600 E. Compton Blvd. 11133 Omelveny Ave clothesline at Cal State University Long Beach and provided Program: Seniors Compton, CA 90221 San Fernando, CA 91340 Programs: Child Development blank supplies for victims to express their story through Programs: Child Development, Sexual Assault Crisis Services designing a shirt.

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YWCA Greater Los Angeles YWCA GREATER LOS ANGELES PRESENTS Board of Directors Officers: Elected Members: Phenomenal Eleanor Beasley Margaret Leong Checca Woman Awards 2014 Board Chairwoman Dr. Annalisa Enrile Gerald M. Ford Lisa D. Cagnolatti Maria L. Garcia Phenomenal Woman Awards story continued. Board Vice Chair Vivian D. Howell

Amanda J. Lee parent’s home address and SSN). Shortly after this, their Alva P. Adams-Mason Patricia Reed-Cunningham relationship turned dangerous. He began forcing her to Secretary have sex with clients from the strip club and anyone else Faye Washington who would pay. He threatened to kill her family, kill her, Patricia Keane President and CEO open lines of credit in her name, and more. He became Treasurer physically and mentally abusive. Thankfully, another of the pimp’s victims brought the case to the police. Two years later, Rachel’s pimp was sentenced to 15 years in The YWCA Greater Los Angeles is dedicated to eliminating racism, prison. Upon his arrest, the FBI found out that this man empowering women and promoting peace, justice, freedom, and dignity for all. had victimized more than 75 girls for over seven years, preying on naive college girls of all races who were Become a member today and ADD YOUR voice to help change away from home. To learn more about Sowers Education YOUR community and empower lives! Visit ywcagla.org/ Group visit sowerseducationgroup.com. membership for more information.

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