Placerville, March 5, 2008: Soroptimist International Placerville member and District Director Sherri Lum-Alarcon has launched a public service informational website and blog to help raise awareness of Human Trafficking as a culmination of organizational activities of the joint District 4 & 5 meeting. The meeting, hosted by the Greater Sacramento Soroptimist, focused on Stopping Human Trafficking.
“I first became aware of the issue from sister Soroptimist Norma Santiago, who is now a Supervisor of El Dorado County,” said Lum-Alarcon. “After hearing the guest speakers arranged by Debra Kreck-Hanish, I knew I had to take action.” The speakers included: Mary Jennings of Open Doors; Nancy Matson, Director, Crime and Violence Prevention Center, California Attorney’s Office; John Vincent, Chief of the Criminal Division, U.S. Attorney’s Office, Sacramento.
“On Saturday afternoon, Debra called for a website blog to facilitate our actions and distribute information. My husband, Soropti-Mr Cris Alarcon, had the resources to create such a website. By Tuesday, the website was launched under a domain that described it’s goal, to Defeat Human Trafficking, the URL is http://www.defeathumantrafficking.com/ [1] ” said Sherri Lum-Alarcon. The site is maintained by District 4, Sierra Nevada Region, Soroptimist International of the Americas.
One type of slavery and exploitation that continues to proliferate at an alarming rate—and that has a particular relevance to women and girls—is sex trafficking/slavery. Soroptimist of the Sierra Nevada Region are raising awareness about the devastating and complex crime of sex trafficking, which largely affects women and girl children.
Soroptimist is an international volunteer organization for business and professional women who work to improve the lives of women and girls. We currently have over 90,000 members in more than 3,000 clubs in 126 countries and territories. The name Soroptimist was coined from the Latin soror meaning sister, and optima meaning best. Soroptimist is perhaps best interpreted as ‘the best for women’.
If you suspect an incident of trafficking call the 24-hour toll-free hotline 888-373-7888
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