Over thirty activists and concerned citizens have formed the RI Coalition Against Human Trafficking. The Coalition's goals are to address human trafficking, or modern-day slavery, and to impress upon Rhode
Islanders that human trafficking exists in our communities and that citizens must unite to end this crime.
The Coalition was created as a result of a recent public forum held by the RI Chapter of the National
Council of Jewish Women and Mayor Cicciline's office. The forum featured a diverse panel of speakers that included law enforcement officials and internationally recognized experts on human trafficking. The
purpose of the forum was to educate the public and bring attention to the prevalence of human trafficking victims that are currently in Rhode Island.
According to Mayor Cicciline, "In many cases the women are brought here, and then [they] work in an effort to repay their transportation, but they never finish repaying, and they're living in conditions that are
dangerous or uninhabitable." –The Providence Journal November 25, 2006.
"At Day One, we are concerned with advocating for and providing services for the victims of this crime,"
says Day One Executive Director Peg Langhammer. "We want to see an end to sex-slavery and we want to get help to anyone who is affected."
"Human trafficking exists in Rhode Island," said Deborah Chorney, co-chair of the Coalition. "Women are emotionally and physically abused, and laborers are kept in slave-like conditions in our neighborhoods."
"Current law in Rhode Island has dangerous gaps and light penalties," according to Zak Townsend, co-chair of the Coalition and co-coordinator of Polaris Project Rhode Island, a local chapter of the international
organization combating human trafficking and modern-day slavery. "Holes in Rhode Island laws allow for prostitution that occurs indoors, making Rhode Island a desirable location for traffickers, especially those
operating in massage parlors or residential brothels."
The RI Coalition Against Human Trafficking is committed to the passage of legislation that enables law
enforcement to prosecute individuals involved in human trafficking, establish a statewide Task Force for prevention of trafficking, provide protection to victims and educating the public on issues of modern day
slavery. Supporters of the coalition include Mayor Cicciline's Office, Polaris Project RI, the RI Chapter of the National Council of Jewish Women, the RI Chapter of the National Association of Social Workers, and
Day One: The Sexual Assault & Trauma Resource Center.
