MADISON — Over the past few months, parishioners throughout the Diocese of Madison have had a number of opportunities to learn about the prevalence of sex trafficking throughout our state.
It’s a harrowing and painful topic to learn about, but a critical reality no one can afford to ignore.
After all, no city or town is immune from this threat: Sex trafficking has been reported in every Wisconsin county.
For those who either want to learn more or are ready to join the fight against trafficking or support its survivors, here are ways to do both.
Educational resources
The Diocese of Madison has created an awareness and education speakers’ bureau that’s available to speak at parishes throughout the diocese.
Contact Chris McAtee at Chris.McAtee@madisondiocese.org
Our Lady Queen of Peace Parish in Madison offers a number of educational resources around trafficking at its website: qopc.org/ministries/respectlife.cfm
Local support groups
Each of these groups will benefit greatly from a donation of your time, talents, and treasures.
Every Daughter is a group of women from Dane County churches who contact and offer assistance to women who have been sexually exploited.
See its Amazon Wish List for gift bag items given to women when they first connect with the Every Daughter team.
The group is also looking for able-bodied men and women who can help move survivors and/or who have vehicles to accommodate larger items, as well as landlords and business owners willing to rent to or hire women with challenging credit and legal histories.
Contact Every Daughter at everydaughter.com and info@everydaughter.com
Madison Area Jail Ministry (MAJM) has been providing spiritual care to the Dane County Jail for more than 50 years.
In addition to support provided during incarceration, its New Beginnings program serves people as they re-enter the community.
MAJM is seeking to form a New Beginnings team specifically to support women who are survivors of sex trafficking.
It would also appreciate donations of books to support their Chaplain’s Lending Library. You can see its Wish List on Amazon.
Contact MAJM at info@madisonjailministry.org and learn more at madisonjailministry.org/new-beginnings
Project Respect is a social service agency that provides services to adults and juveniles victimized in sex trafficking.
Its needs include full-size body wash, shampoo and conditioner, and adult backpacks.
Contact Project Respect at 608-283-6435 or info@arccommserv.com
Yada Fair Trade & Resale provides financial assistance to trafficking survivors through funds raised at their retail location. They also host events and provide support for female survivors and their children.
Its needs include volunteers to sort clothing and help at the store and to plan and prepare for events.
Yada often holds car care clinics and would love to find additional volunteers with car repair experience.
In addition, it’s in need of donations both for its store and to directly support women (housewares, furniture, clothing, shoes, and accessories) as well as gift cards (for fast food and gas, $10-$15) and items for care packages (lotion, mittens, socks, chocolates)
Contact Yada at beth@yadaftr.com
Zeteo Community has recently purchased land and will soon begin construction on a residential facility for female trafficking survivors and their children.
It needs volunteers who are willing to go through Zeteo’s training program, people willing to help raise funds toward building construction, or people to host awareness events.
Contact Zeteo at info@zeteocommunity.org