West Central PA News

In honor of International Human Trafficking Awareness Month, Senator Cris Dush is conducting a series of interviews with individuals and organizations dedicated to combating human trafficking. Senator Dush's commitment to this cause is evident through his work with renowned international and state organizations, as well as his background in law enforcement.

One of the recent legislative achievements of Senator Dush is Pennsylvania Act 39, which aims to improve support for victims and provide necessary legislation for law enforcement and social services to assist those who have been trafficked. This law, signed by Governor Shapiro in December 2023, allows victims to access social services without having to identify their traffickers, ensuring their safety and enabling them to receive the help they need.

To kick off the interviews, Senator Dush had the privilege of speaking with Linda Smith, the Founder and President of Shared Hope International. Linda's journey to combat sex trafficking began in 1998 when she visited a notorious brothel district in India. Witnessing the anguish and desperation of women and children forced into prostitution, she was compelled to establish Shared Hope International.

Shared Hope International is a non-profit organization dedicated to preventing the conditions that foster sex trafficking, restoring victims of sex slavery, and bringing justice to vulnerable individuals. Linda Smith's extensive experience in this field, including serving as a Washington State legislator and a U.S. Congresswoman, has made her a leader in the global movement to end sex trafficking.

During the interview, Linda Smith shared her vision for Shared Hope International, stating, "We envision a world passionately opposed to sex trafficking and a community committed to restoring survivors to lives of purpose, value, and choice – one life at a time."

Senator Dush's series of interviews will continue throughout January, providing valuable insights from survivors of human trafficking and organizations at the forefront of the fight against this heinous crime. These interviews serve as a reminder of the importance of raising awareness and taking action to eradicate human trafficking, both in Pennsylvania and around the world.

For more information on the interviews conducted by Senator Dush, please visit the provided link.

To find out more, go to this link: https://senatordush.com/2024/01/02/senator-dushs-series-of-interviews-on-human-trafficking-linda-smith/