West Central PA News

In honor of International Human Trafficking Awareness Month, Senator Cris Dush has been conducting a series of interviews with victims of human trafficking and organizations dedicated to fighting this heinous crime. Senator Dush, known for his background in law enforcement and his commitment to improving victim support, recently enacted Pennsylvania Act 39 to provide essential legislation for law enforcement and social services to better assist trafficking victims.

Act 39, signed into law by Governor Shapiro in December 2023, enables victims to receive social services without having to disclose the identity of their traffickers. This crucial provision ensures the protection of victims and helps them access the assistance they need to escape the dangers of human trafficking.

Senator Dush's first interviewee was Brad Ortenzi, the Eastern USA Regional Director of ZOE International, a multinational organization with a 20-year track record of rescuing and restoring trafficked children and youth. Ortenzi, responsible for expanding ZOE's operations on the East Coast, brings a wealth of experience to his role.

With a background in both domestic and international law enforcement, Ortenzi served as an active duty US Marine from 1990 to 1994. In Lancaster County, he has worked as a Special County Detective, investigating cases of homicide, violent crimes, and sexual exploitation. Currently, he serves as the Coordinator of the Berks and Lancaster County Human Trafficking Task Forces.

Ortenzi's global work includes leading US Federal Law Enforcement teams to Thailand, where he served as the Director of Child Rescue for ZOE International. His dedication to combating human trafficking and his expertise in law enforcement make him an invaluable asset in the fight against this grave issue.

Senator Dush's series of interviews aim to shed light on the realities of human trafficking and the efforts being made to combat it in Pennsylvania and around the world. By amplifying the voices of survivors and organizations like ZOE International, Senator Dush hopes to raise awareness and inspire further action to eradicate this modern-day form of slavery.

To view the complete interviews conducted by Senator Dush, please visit the provided link.

To learn more, click on this link: https://senatordush.com/2024/01/04/senator-dushs-series-of-interviews-on-human-trafficking-brad-ortenzi/