BCAT Presents Human Trafficking Awareness Event

The Bucks County Coalition Against Trafficking (BCAT), a project of NOVA, will hold a Human Trafficking Awareness event on August 22, 2023 from 6:00 to 7:30 PM at BuxMont Unitarian Universalist Fellowship, located at 2040 Street Rd., Warrington PA 18976. This event is sponsored by the MontBux Unitarian Church, Bucks County YWCA, NOVA’s Training Institute and BCAT. To register, visit novabucks.org/events.

According the Department of Homeland Security, human trafficking is the “…use of force, fraud, or coercion to obtain some type of labor” either commercial or sex work. Human trafficking is happening much closer to home than many realize and recent portrayals in the media and news reports of human trafficking have sparked increased discussion of this crime across the country. The BCAT event will offer an overview of human trafficking, present key indicators of trafficking and describe how trafficking exists in Bucks County and the greater Philadelphia area.

The panelists for the event include:

· Ali Pottebaum, Rapid Rehousing Coordinator, Haven House

· Kristin McElroy, Deputy District Attorney, Bucks County Office of the District Attorney

· Karen Kutzner, Trainer, Lakeside Institute/Co-Chair, Bucks Coalition Against Trafficking

· Jamie Pfister, Training Coordinator, NOVA

· Jenna Spadaro, Human Trafficking Victim Advocate, NOVA

· Officer Matthew Tyson, Bensalem Township Police Special Investigations Unit

The presentation will be moderated by Elyse Hoekstra, Organizer, Bucks Coalition Against Trafficking. It will be followed by an interactive Q&A session. Light refreshments will be provided.

The United Nations reports that human trafficking is a $8-10 billion-dollar industry. In the U.S., the Urban Institute estimates that money made in the commercial sex trade in several major U.S. cities ranges from $39 to $290 million annually. Most victims of human trafficking are females, both adults and those under the age of 18. Boys, men, and gender minorities can become victims of human trafficking, as well. What these facts don’t tell is the toll borne by the victims, many of whom are physically and sexually abused, not allowed access to money or identification documents and lacking knowledge about their whereabouts.

“As a human trafficking victim advocate, I can say first-hand that trafficking happens right here in our community, but it can look quite different from what you see in the movies,” said Jenna Spadaro, Human Trafficking Victim Advocate, NOVA. “It’s more often an underground industry that can be hidden in plain sight. I encourage members of the Bucks County community to attend this informative event to learn more about human trafficking and how you can spread awareness about this important issue.”

About NOVA

NOVA supports, counsels and empowers victims of sexual assault and other serious crimes in Bucks County and works to prevent and eliminate violence in society through advocacy, training, community education and prevention programs. Founded in 1974, NOVA is a non-profit 501(c)(3), community-based organization operating out of three offices in Fairless Hills, Jamison and Perkasie. Services are made possible through the financial support of federal, state and local government grants and contracts, corporations, foundations and private donations. All contributions are tax deductible to the extent provided by law. For more information, visit www.NOVABucks.org.