West Central PA News

Senator Cris Dush is actively involved in the fight against human trafficking and has been working closely with renowned organizations both internationally and within the state of Pennsylvania. His dedication to improving victim support and providing the necessary legislation for law enforcement and social services to assist trafficked individuals is evident in his recently enacted legislation, Pennsylvania Act 39.

Act 39, which was signed into law by Governor Shapiro in December 2023, allows victims to receive social services without having to identify their traffickers. This crucial provision aims to protect victims and help them receive the necessary assistance to escape from the dangerous environment of human trafficking.

In recognition of International Human Trafficking Awareness Month, Senator Dush will be sharing short synopses of interviews he recently conducted with both victims of human trafficking and benchmark organizations fighting against this heinous crime. These interviews shed light on the experiences of survivors and provide valuable insights into the efforts being made to combat human trafficking in Pennsylvania and around the world.

One of the interviews conducted by Senator Dush was with the Chief Operating Officer (COO) of ZOE International, an organization with over 20 years of success in rescuing and restoring children and youth who have been trafficked. The COO, who remains anonymous in the provided information, oversees the growth and expansion of prevention, rescue, and restoration programs for trafficked youth and children across five nations. Additionally, ZOE International works closely with the Los Angeles Police Department's Internet Crimes Against Children Unit and Vice and Human Trafficking Task Force. Officer Cox, a reserve police officer, collaborates with ZOE International in conducting human trafficking stings and providing victim identification and follow-up services.

ZOE International's efforts extend beyond the United States, with teams in Thailand, Australia, Mexico, and Japan actively involved in prevention, rescue, and restoration initiatives for child trafficking victims.

Senator Dush's series of interviews provides a platform for victims to share their stories and raises awareness about the ongoing fight against human trafficking. These interviews serve as a reminder of the importance of supporting survivors and working together to eradicate this pervasive crime.

For more information and to view the complete interviews, please visit the provided link.