Past Events

June 16th Event Photo Album

Click Here to see THE PHOTO ALBUM


Social Scene


July 1st Congressional Briefing

 

 

Representative James Oberstar, the Chairman of the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, and Representative Christopher Smith hosted a closed briefing on Capitol Hill, July 1st, between 2:30 and 5pm in the Capitol Visitor Center Congressional Meeting Room South to bring together U.S. airline executives and representatives, the Federal Aviation Administration, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICA), the State Department’s Trafficking in Persons Office (G/Tip), and other gatekeepers. ICE and G/TIP gave presentations on the scope of the problem and law enforcement response. Airline Ambassadors and Innocents at Risk unveiled a prototype for the training manuals, flight bulletins, and brochures. The briefing was a major success! We were honored to be invited, and hope that this will lead to major progress in the future towards encorporating human trafficking information into the regular governmental training of flight attendants. For a more detailed overview on the breifing, see it in our news and media section here!

The governmental panel- Amy O’Neill Richard Senior Advisor to the Director of the Office to Monitor and Combat Trafficking in Persons at the Department of State, Erik P. Breitzke Unit Chief of the Human Smuggling and Trafficking Unit of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, and Christopher Dombek Director of the Office of Alien Smuggling Interdiction at the U.S. Customs and Border Protection

The NGO panel, with Deborah Sigmund of Innocents at Risk and Nancy Rivard of Airline Ambassadors

Nancy Rivard, Congressman Chris Smith, Debbie Sigmund

Deborah Sigmund with Congressman Chris Smith (left) and Congressman Joe Pitts (right)

Check out the rest of the photos here!


BisNow June 16th Event

Last night, we also stopped by Michael and Julie Connors’ Georgetown residence for a reception for Innocents at Risk donors. He’s with his neighbor, Proper Topper Hats’ Ann Fuhrman.

The hostess, Julie Connors is with the Cyprus Ambassador Andreas Kak, who praised the foundation for its work to prevent child trafficking.

The Cyprus Ambassador’s wife Kareen Kakouris, former Bolivian president’s wife Ximena Sanchez DeLozada, Ambassor of Luxemburg’s wife Louise Akerblom, and Innocents at Risk founder Deborah Sigmund.

Click Here to see THE PHOTO ALBUM


REDLIGHT Movie Premiere

Priority Films in partnership with LexisNexis invite you to:

The World Premiere

Red Carpet Screening

of REDLIGHT

REDLIGHT Trailer from jillian selsky on Vimeo.


Monday, June 21, 2010

6:00 PM and 9:00 PM Screenings
SVA Theatre, 333 West 23rd St, New York City

__________________________________________________________

Honorary Host Committee:

Congresswoman Carolyn Maloney
Ambassador Mark Lagon
Ambassador Swanee Hunt
Andrew Prozes
Cécilia Attias
Ashley Judd
Cindi Leive
Ron Livingston
Lauren Bush
Julia Ormond
Petra Nemcova
Alyse Nelson
Abigail Disney
Marcia Gay Harden
Elizabeth Berkley & Greg Lauren
Seth & Marie Bernstein

____________________________________________________________

This special evening will be a multi-pronged event with two screenings offered:

6:00 PM for the Official World Premiere Red Carpet Screening (with limited tickets open to the public)

Red Carpet VIP Tickets – $1000 (As a VIP guest please join us for the VIP reception at CUE Gallery, 511 West 25th Street.)

Red Carpet General Public Tickets – $100 (with open bar at the After-Party from 11:00-12:00 midnight at Juliette Supper Club at 538 W. 21st St. (between 10th Ave & West St.)

9:00 PM for the Red Carpet Premiere Screening open to the General Public

Red Carpet General Public Tickets – $50 (with open bar at the After-Party from 11:00-12:00 midnight at Juliette Supper Club at 538 W. 21st St. (between 10th Ave & West St.)

Both screenings will be followed by a Q&A session featuring Nobel Peace Prize nominee Mu Sochua; Dr. Susan Bissell, UNICEF’s Global Chief of Child Protection; and Filmmakers Guy Jacobson and Adi Ezroni who both won the prestigious State Department’s Global Hero Award for their work. ____________________________________________________________

The proceeds from this event will benefit, RedLight Children and Restore NYC, two not for profit organizations both working tirelessly to end slavery and child exploitation.                                                                                    ____________________________________________________________

About the Film: UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador Lucy Liu produced and narrated REDLIGHT, an inspiring and powerful feature documentary about child sexploitation. Filmed over a four year period, REDLIGHT focuses on the personal stories of the victims and two remarkable advocates for change: grass-roots activist Somaly Mam and politician Mu Sochua.  Both have since been nominated for the Noble Peace Prize and won other numerous human rights awards around the world.


Soroptimist Ruby Award Region Finalist

Click on the document to enlarge and read


Girlscouts Event

To schedule a presentation, please contact us at 202-625-4338 or dsigmund@innocentsatrisk.org



Deborah and Somaly Mam



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Click to visit the Crime Prevention 101 Radio Station Page on Voice AmericaDEBORAH SIGMUND ON THE RADIO
The Radio Show With an Optimistic Perspective on a Sober Subject With Host, Crime Prevention Specialist Susan Bartelstone    

Upcoming Show:  May 27, 2010 @ 8pm eastern

Human Trafficking:  What It Is – and –  One Amazing Thing We Can Do About It

It’d Be a Crime NOT to Listen!

This Week’s Show
Human Trafficking Statistics
*Human Trafficking: One Amazing Thing We Can Do About It
*True Crime Report
*About Susan Bartelstone
Quick Links
To Listen
VoiceAmerica.com Talk Radio Network   http://www.voiceamerica.com/voiceamerica/vshow.aspx?sid=1306 Also Available on iTunes: http://tinyurl.com/CPiTunes Listen to Show Promo
Human Trafficking Statistics
Per Innocents at Risk:

  • Human trafficking is considered a form of modern slavery.
  • According to US Department of State:  Human trafficking is fastest growing criminal industry in the world.
  • It generates over $32 billion annually for organized crime.
  • Human trafficking takes place in every country, from the richest to the poorest.
  • Approximately 18,000 persons are trafficked into the United States from over 50 countries every year.
  • Over 300,000 children are trafficked within the United States annually.

Human Trafficking Hotline:  1-888-373-7888

A FREE SERVICE THAT TURNS YOUR CAMERA PHONE INTO A PERSONAL SAFETY DEVICE!  For more information, go to www.mymobilewitness.com.     PROUD SPONSOR OF CRIME PREVENTION 101 RADIO SHOW
Human Trafficking:  One Amazing Thing We Can Do About It
I read an article a few weeks ago that absolutely floored me and I knew I had to talk about this on the show.   It was such a simple idea:  flight attendants who are trained to recognize signs of the horrific crime of human trafficking on international and domestic flights.   This came about through the work of dedicated flight attendant, Sandra Fiorini, who flies for American Airlines, and hooked up with Deborah Sigmund, founder and Executive Director of Innocents at Risk (www.innocentsatrisk.org), an organization whose purpose is to raise awareness about and promote ways to stop human trafficking.   I’m talking with both of them on the show tonight and you’re going to be amazed by this story.
True Crime Report
True Crime Report

Our True Crime Report this week features writer Pete Kotz, editor of the True Crime Report blogsite (www.truecrimereport.com).  We’re talking about the case of Elizabeth Mandala, a high school student (and part-time stripper) who wanted to earn some extra income by smuggling illegals in the country…and ended up dead.   Like who woulda thought this occupation might be dangerous!

About Susan Bartelstone

Talking the Talk Because She’s Walked the Walk!

Years ago, Susan Bartelstone had a bad break-up with a guy, complete with physical and emotional bruises, and determined to learn how to protect herself.  Today, she’s a certified Crime Prevention Specialist and Personal Safety expert, with 17 years combined training in WWII Combatives, self defense and martial arts.

Along the way, she deterred five extremely dangerous criminal encounters, fought her way out of a surprise attack and, for the past 18 years, has taught safety skills to men and women from such organizations as American Express, the U.S. Post Office and the Livery Cab Owners Coalition of New York.

Author of Think Fast and Prevent a Violent Crime:  How to Respond to Danger in 20 Seconds (or Less!), which is based on her own experiences, she’s been featured in a long and varied list of media including the “Today Show,” “America’s Most Wanted” and Self Magazine.

Over the years, she’s helped thousands of people solve their personal safety dilemmas with her practical advice –which stresses the many opportunities you have to avoid or defuse a criminal encounter and how to use your brains instead of your muscles in a fight.

International Missing Children Day May 25

Nine countries from across four continents are joining to raise awareness of missing children and strengthen global efforts to find them. On May 25, International Missing Children’s Day, bringing missing children home will be our goal.

International Missing Children’s Day, 25 May, is a day to commemorate missing children who have been found, remember those who have been victims of crime and continue efforts to find those who are still missing. This year the focus is on parental / family abduction.

Activities are being organized around the world to commemorate the day.

“Everyday, all around the world, children go missing, and unfortunately, some are taken by those they trust the most: parents and family members. A child who is abducted by a parent or family member may suffer physical, emotional, and psychological harm, and the abduction can have a lasting effect on the child and the family left behind,” says Nancy Dube, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of the International Centre for Missing & Exploited Children (ICMEC).

Of growing concern is the impact family / parental child abduction has on the child who is removed from his or her familiar surroundings and environment by someone he or she trusts. Abducted children can suffer the alienation of losing contact with their family and friends, miss their educational stability and, in extreme circumstances, may be lied to by the abducting parent. At times children are told that their left-behind families do not love them anymore or that certain family members have died, when in fact they are still living.

Australia, Canada, Brazil, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Romania, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom are part of the Global Missing Children’s Network (GMCN), an ICMEC program that recognizes the need to collaborate on this complex issue on a global level. The program is supported by Motorola Foundation.

To commemorate International Missing Children’s Day on 25 May, participating countries will release balloons displaying photos of missing children from around the world in the hope that someone, somewhere, will recognise them. Other activities are also being planned. Brazil is hosting a one day seminar followed by the release of balloons in Brasilia; the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) will be releasing their annual report on missing children, present an AirCanada award to a law enforcement officer for extraordinary efforts to recover a missing child, and release the balloons at the RCMP Visitor Centre in Ottawa; and the Dutch National Police will visit local schools to talk to children about International Missing Children’s Day and release 500 balloons.

Balloons can also be released virtually at www.helpbringthemhome.org.au, an interactive portal developed by the Australian Federal Police (AFP) for the campaign. The AFP also created a powerful 30 second public service announcement, which has been distributed throughout participating countries to drive people to the website for further information.

“We urge you to join us in spreading a message of hope and help bring these missing children home. View profiles of missing children and release a balloon online at www.helpbringthemhome.org.au,” Ms. Dube said.

For the original article follow the link to http://www.icmec.org/missingkids/servlet/PageServlet?LanguageCountry=en_X1&PageId=4050 .


Zonta Club of Washington, D.C.

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Ruby Award Presented to Deborah Sigmund for Making a Difference for Women

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Airline Ambassadors International

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DC Stop Child Trafficking Walk

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Deborah Sigmund Attends and Represents Innocents at Risk as Demi More Denounces Child Prostitution

Demi Moore at the start of Tuesday’s briefing on the Hill. (Evan Vucci/AP)

An occasional look at the show-biz luminaries-with-causes attempting to shed light in Washington. Tuesday’s visitor: Demi Moore.

Occasion: A briefing on child sex trafficking in the U.S., by the Rebecca Project and the Demi & Ashton Foundation.

Site: A packed meeting room at the U.S. Capitol Visitor Center

What she wants: Tougher prosecution for johns and pimps, and more leniency and support for youngsters coerced into prostitution. “I think many Americans are more willing to accept that girls are being trafficked in Cambodia and can’t imagine it’s happening right here.”

How she looked: Glam, but dialed-back-for-D.C. — dark sheath, wide leather belt, loose hair, reading glasses.

Strategy: Bypassing the celeb-glutted White House Correspondents’ Association dinner, Moore drew a solo media spotlight — which she deftly deflected to a panel of young victims sharing compelling stories of beatings, preteen arrests, childhoods lost.

Backup: CNN’s Suzanne Malveaux as moderator; panel of experts.

Light moment:
Moore’s spiel was interrupted by the buzzers signaling a House vote. “Do I need to answer that?” she asked. “I feel like I need to answer that.”

By The Reliable Source  |  May 5, 2010; 1:02 AM ET

For the original article follow the link to http://voices.washingtonpost.com/reliable-source/2010/05/celebvocate_demi_moore_on_capi.html


Update on Congressional Briefing about Human Trafficking

Dallas Jessup, Deborah  Sigmund, Sandra Fiorini, and Selene Martin

Dallas Jessup, Deborah Sigmund, Sandra Fiorini, and Selene Martin

Co-Chairman McGovern and Deborah Sigmund

Co-Chairman McGovern and Deborah Sigmund

 

Human Trafficking: International and National Implications

10 a.m. – noon

Thursday, March 25

2255 Rayburn HOB

About Event

Human trafficking is one of the most serious threats to the protection of human rights, as it exploits the most vulnerable populations in the most vulnerable circumstances in a predatory manner, both within and across international borders. The Trafficking Victims Protection Act of 2000 (TVPA; P.L. 106 – 386) defines human trafficking as inducing a person to perform labor or a commercial sex act through force, fraud, or coercion. Any persons under age 18 who perform a commercial sex act are considered a victim of human trafficking, regardless of whether force, fraud, or coercion was present. People who are trafficked are denied basic freedoms, are extremely vulnerable to global health risks, and are sold and resold within rapidly spreading organized crime networks.

The International Labor Organization (ILO) estimates at least 12.3 million children and adults are in forced labor, bonded labor, and commercial sex servitude at any given time.  INTERPOL estimates human trafficking to be a $28 billion enterprise.  The most comprehensive and far-reaching governmental report in the United States is the State Department’s annual Trafficking in Persons (TIP) Report, which was mandated in the TVPA.  The primary objective of this report is to “[free] victims from this form of modern-day slavery.” The legislation further requires the State Department’s Office to Monitor and Combat Trafficking in Persons (G/TIP) to promote global awareness regarding human trafficking, to develop country-specific strategies to help foreign governments to better tackle the problem of trafficking, and to classify their accomplishments or failures to adhere to minimum standards in a tier system. 

To discuss these issues, we will welcome the following witnesses:***

I.      Panel:

Ambassador Luis CdeBaca, G/TIP, U.S. Department of State

II.     Panel:

Timothy Williams, director of INTERPOL, Washington, D.C.

III.    Panel:

Dallas Jessup, founder, Just Yell Fire, a NGO protecting teenage-girls from trafficking

Deborah Sigmund, director, Innocents at Risk, a NGO raising awareness of trafficking

Sandra Fiorini, flight attendant, graduate of DHS “Operation Blue Lightning,” which combats trafficking on commercial airlines

Selene Martin, director, LexisNexis Cares, a public-private initiative to provide trafficking case management.

***Witness list subject to change.

If you have any questions, please contact Allison McGuire (Rep. McGovern) or Elizabeth Hoffman (Rep. Wolf) at 202-225-3599.

James P. McGovern, M.C.                                                     Frank R. Wolf, M.C.

Co-Chairman, TLHRC                                                           Co-Chairman, TLHRC

Press Release

On March 25, 2010 Innocents at Risk appeared before Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission at a hearing on Human Trafficking. The Co-Chairman of the HRC, Congressman James McGovern, MA and Congressman Frank Wolf, VA, led the panel. Founder,  Deborah Sigmund, appeared on a panel with:

  • TIP (Trafficking In Persons) Ambassador Luis C deBaca of the Department of State
  • Timothy Williams, Director of INTERPOL Washington DC
  • Dallas Jessup, “Just Yell Fire”
  • Sandra Fiorini, Sr. Flight Attendant, AA
  • Selene Martin, Director of LexisNexis Cares. 

Innocents at Risk is grateful to the Human Rights Commission for the opportunity to speak about our organization.  Deborah Sigmund spoke about the “Awareness Campaign”  Innocents at Risk began in 2005 and spoke about the Flight Attendant (Blue Lightning) Initiative which began in 2008 with one single flight attendant, Sandra Fiorini. At present we have a small army of flight attendants who we have trained based in Dallas, Miami, Chicago, Detroit, New York, Atlanta, Washington DC, Idaho and LA.  We provide them with our blue brochures “Protecting Women and Children from Human Trafficking” and our blue wrist bands printed with Innocents at Risk and the National Human Trafficking HOTLINE 888-373-7888.

 

The hearing was very successful. The panel of 8 members of Congress were very pleased to hear about this Flight Attendant Initiative and our Awareness Campaign.  Awareness is prevention.  We are very grateful for the valuable assistance from Congressman McGovern and the members. 

 

Innocents at Risk continues to educate airline personnel, while filling constant requests for more brochures and National Human Trafficking Hotline wristbands.   

 

We have learned much from flight attendants, airline personnel and law enforcement. They are recognizing potential victims on planes and in airports as well as foreign nationals entering our country.  When the flight attendant notices a red flag a call is made to the hotline and law enforcement steps in.  This is one way we can prevent child trafficking before it starts. 

 

Please help us continue our valuable training to this dedicated task force of Airline Personal.

 

For further details of the briefing, please click on our News & Media link listed above.

 

 

  

  

 

 


On June 16, 2010 from 6:00pm-8:00pm, A Cocktail Reception in Honor of Innocents at Risk and 2009-2010 Donors and Sponsors

Click to Enlarge

Invitation, Innocents at Risk, June 16th - Connors (3page)_Page_1

Suggested donation per person: $250


Help Show Your Support for Congresswoman Carolyn Maloney

Deborah Sigmund,

Founder of Innocents at Risk

invites you to join

Congresswoman Carolyn Maloney

(NY-14)

CHAIR, JOINT ECONOMIC COMMITTEE

MEMBER, COMMITTEE ON FINANCIAL SERVICES

MEMBER, COMMITTEE ON OVERSIGHT AND GOVERNMENT REFORM

for a Reception

Tuesday May 11, 2010

6:30 – 8:30 pm

At the home of

Congresswoman Carolyn Maloney

206 D Street, SE

Washington, DC  20003

Suggested Contribution:                                                            RSVP:  June Silverberg

PAC:  $1000                                                                                    202-550-2677

Individual: $500                                                            june@silverbergassociates.net

Checks may be mailed to:

Maloney for Congress

110 D Street, SE Suite 312

Washington, DC  20003

Contributions are not deductible for income tax purposes.  Corporate contributions are not acceptable.  PAC contributions are limited to $10,000 per election cycle, $5,000 for Primary and $5,000 for General. Individual contributions are limited to $4,800 per election cycle, $2,400 for the Primary and $2,400 for the General. Federal candidates are prohibited from accepting contributions from corporations and foreign nationals.  Persons are prohibited from making contributions in the name of another person.

Authorized by Maloney for Congress.

Carolyn Maloney For Congress - What They Say - Print out

Photos from the Event

Morgan Perry, director of documentary "Sex + Money," Deborah Sigmund, founder of Innocents at Risk, and Sandra Fiorini,

Morgan Perry, director of documentary "Sex + Money," Deborah Sigmund, founder of Innocents at Risk, and Sandra Fiorini

Morgan Perry, director of documentary, "Sex + Money" Morgan Perry, director of documentary, “Sex + Money”

Sandra Fiorini, Deborah Sigmund, and Deb Carstens

Sandra Fiorini, Deborah Sigmund, and Deb Carstens

Congreswoman Carolyn Maloney, Angels Saltos, former executive director of the Ricky Martin Foundation, which fights human trafficking, and Deborah Sigmund Congreswoman Carolyn Maloney, Angels Saltos, former executive director of the Ricky Martin Foundation, which fights human trafficking, and Deborah Sigmund

Sandra Fiorini, Laura Lederer, Deborah Sigmund

Sandra Fiorini, Dr. Laura Lederer, Deborah Sigmund

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Congreswoman Carolyn Maloney, Deborah Sigmund, and Ximena Sanchez de Lozada, wife of former Mexican President

Congreswoman Carolyn Maloney, Deborah Sigmund, and Ximena Sanchez de Lozada, wife of former Bolivian President

Ximena Sanchez de Lozada, wife of former Mexican president, and Board Advisor Joan Haas Ximena Sanchez de Lozada, wife of former Bolivian president, and Board Advisor Joan Haas

"Sex + Documentary" Documentary Team

"Sex + Documentary" Documentary Team


May 2nd – Innocents at Risk and the Washington Ballet Present: A Panel Discussion With Minga and Special Guests

MingaEvent


Aid for Haiti: A Reception and Discussion at the Georgetown Club

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Last night, we went to a reception at the Georgetown Club, who pres Steve Hayes, tells us his son lost six friends on a missionary trip to Port-au-Prince when their hotel collapsed during the earthquake and he’s been to all their funerals. He’s with Haitian Ambassador Raymond Joseph, who said “from my heart and my country, I thank you.” Founder of the event organizer Innocents at Risk, Deborah Sigmund, is with Blue Lotus Group’s Chrism Thomson.

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Ambassador Robert Joseph addressing the crowd

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Photos and captions thanks to Bisnow


A Tribute to the Resilience of the Women of Haiti

CFGD FUND MARCH 11 BENEFIT INVITATION0220-1CFGD FUND MARCH 11 BENEFIT INVITATION0220-1CFGD FUND MARCH 11 BENEFIT INVITATION0220-1LAST NIGHT SEAN PENN WAS THE SPECIAL GUEST AT THE EVENT ORGANIZED BY MRS. LOLA POISSON-JOSEPH AND THE CHILDREN AND FAMILIES GLOBAL DEVELOPMENT FUND. IN HIS COMPASSIONATE REMARKS, SEAN PENN SAID THAT THERE IS STILL MUCH TO BE DONE IN HAITI – ESPECIALLY NOW WITH THE RAINY SEASON BEGINNING. MR. PENN SAID HE WOULD CONTINUE TO HELP AND KEEP THE SPOTLIGHT ON HAITI AS LONG AS THERE IS A NEED TO HELP THE INNOCENTS VICTIMS OF THE EARTHQUAKE.

THE HEART WARMING EVENT WAS HELD AT WASHINGTON HEBREW CONGREGATION AND WAS WELL ATTENDED. MAUREEN BUNYAN OF ABC NEWS WAS THE MISTRESS OF CEREMONIES. IT WAS A WONDERFUL EVENING FILLED WITH DELICIOUS CUISINE AND BEAUTIFUL MUSIC. MOST OF ALL, IT WAS EXTREMELY TOUCHING TO SEE THE OUT POUR OF SUPPORT FROM EVERYONE IN ATTENDANCE, INCLUDING ALL THE MEMBERS OF THE PRESS. RABI LUSTIG OF THE WASHINGTON HEBREW CONGREGATION ANNOUNCED THE PROJECT OF WASHINGTON HEBREW CONGREGATION IS TO DELIVER 500 THOUSAND PACKETS OF HEALTHY FOOD TO HAITI (FOUR THOUSAND WERE DELIVERED TO THE AMBASSADOR AND LOLA LAST NIGHT].

image005_039Mrs. Lola Poisson-Joseph and Deborah Sigmund, founder of Innocents at Risk

image001_040Guest of Honor Sean Penn

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ABC 7’s Pamela Brown with Haitian Ambassador Raymond Joseph

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Marilyn Rose, Councilman Timothy Trudeau, CICM’s Randy Gonzales, and Innocents at Risk Board Member Pat Skantze

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Pamela Brown and Deborah Sigmund


A Night at George

A Night at George to Support the Victims of Human

Trafficking

George Event Invite

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Innocents at Risk founder Deborah Sigmund with Jonathan Corkery and friends at the George event

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Innocents at Risk and Free the Slaves fundraising for Nepal.

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Wright Sigmund and Courtney Cadwell

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Cherie Short, Alexandra Robinson, and Preston Smith

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Jonathan Corkery, David Cane, Innocents at Risk Director Deborah Sigmund, and Immigrations and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Senior official Katerina Karousos

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Amarie Kappaz, George Kappaz, and Deborah Sigmund


Capital City Ball 2009

Capital City Ball Invitation Information, Nov. 21, 2009

INNOCENTS AT RISK

Since 2004, Innocents at Risk has been doing essential work to create awareness of the global threat of human trafficking in the United States and abroad. This illicit industry, which generates over $32 billion annually, is the fastest-growing criminal business in the world and the most lucrative, second to drug trafficking. The numbers are staggering. More than 3,000,000 women and children are sold into servitude annually; 18,000 enter the United States by train, car or plane; and 244,000 are trafficked within the U.S.

In 2008, Innocents at Risk launched the Flight Attendant Initiative, providing approximately one-third of American Airlines’ 19,000 flight attendants with its brochure, Protecting Women and Children from Human Trafficking. The brochure alerts flight attendants to the signs of trafficking and gives them the National Human Trafficking Resource Center (NHTRC) hotline number (1-888-3737888) plus other critical information. As a result, dozens of flight attendants have called the hotline to report potential victims, and lives are being saved. The Flight Attendant Initiative, recently named “Blue Lightning,” is supported by the U.S. State Department, U.S. Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, U.S. Customs and Border Protections, and countless non-governmental organizations in the United States and around the globe.

To find out more visit www.innocentsatrisk.org

POLARIS PROJECT

Polaris Project’s vision is for a world without slavery. Named after the North Star that guided slaves toward freedom along the Underground Railroad, Polaris Project has been providing a comprehensive approach to combating human trafficking and modern-day slavery since 2002.

Polaris Project is one of the largest anti-trafficking organizations in the United States and Japan, with programs operating at international, national and local levels through our offices in Washington, DC; Newark, NJ; Denver, CO; and Tokyo, Japan. Polaris Project is one of the few organizations working on all forms of trafficking and serving both citizen and foreign national victims of human trafficking.

Polaris Project’s holistic approach to combating human trafficking includes conducting direct outreach and victim identification, providing social services and transitional housing to victims, operating the National Human Trafficking Resource Center (NHTRC), serving as the central national hotline on human trafficking, advocating for stronger state and federal anti-trafficking legislation, and engaging community members in local and national grassroots efforts.

Since its founding, Polaris Project has been the recipient of numerous awards and honors for its achievements including: Ashoka Innovators for the Public, Marie Claire’s 10 Best Charities, the 2006 Justice for Victims of Crime Award given by the Department of Justice, the DO Something BRICK award, the Washington Area Women’s Foundation Leadership Award 2004 and 2009, and honors from Lifetime Television, Body Shop, and CNN.

To find out more visit www.polarisproject.org.

THE EMANCIPATION NETWORK

The Emancipation Network (TEN) is an international organization dedicated to fighting human trafficking and modern-day slavery. TEN fights slavery by empowering survivors and people at high risk to rebuild their lives. Individuals and communities become slavery-proof with jobs, job training, education, aftercare and reintegration. As part of the effort to create jobs and raise money, the Made By Survivors project run by TEN sells handcrafted products on the Internet. Beautiful clothing, jewelry, gifts, home decor items and more can be found at www.MadeBySurvivors.com. TEN uses the profits to provide help and hope to others rescued from slavery.

Destiny Productions is TEN’s newest initiative to help human trafficking survivors become fully independent, and to slavery-proof them and their children into the future. TEN’s handicraft programs at Destiny Center offer survivors a job that enables them to support themselves and live a meaningful, independent life. For those still living at a shelter, handicrafts programs provide therapeutic benefits, job training, literacy, social interaction, and a stipend for part-time work.

To find out more visit www.tencharities.org.

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Innocents at Risk founder Debby Sigmund and husband Meltzer Group’s Don Sigmund, former Under Secretary of State for Democracy, now with  Baker & Hostetler, Paula Dobriansky, and the State Department’s Bruce Friedman, and Caris Corporation’s George PosteDeb Carstens. We would like to give a special thanks to Deb Carstens of the Carsens family fund for being a Liberty Sponsor.

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D. Wright Sigmund, Natalie Grigorian Carmona, Cherie Short Innocents at Risk Director of Development, and Ryan O’Dwyer.


Crisis in Haiti: Support the Victims of Haiti Through Airline Ambassadors

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Haiti experienced a devastating earthquake leaving Port-au-Prince and the surrounding areas in ruin, from shantytowns to the presidential palace. Rescue teams have been frantically searching through the rubble in hopes of finding survivors.

For everyone who would like to assist the people of Haiti and provide them with much needed aid, please send your donations to Airline Ambassadors. Your donation will go directly to the victims and any contribution, regardless of how small, will help save lives.

Go to http://airlineamb.org/index.html and select the “Donate Button, top story”.

Or

Send checks to:

“Haiti Earthquake, January 2010″

Airline Ambassadors International
418 California Avenue, PO Box 459
Moss Beach, CA 94038

*Each donation is tax-deductible.

Posted: January 14, 2010



Something Beyond Greatness: Book Signing

On Wednesday the 23rd, Innocents at Risk hosted and sponsored an intimate book signing with Judy Rodgers and Gayatri Naraine, the authors of Something Beyond Greatness: Conversations with a Man of Science and a Woman of God. The free event, held at the Georgetown Club, was open to the public. The evening was spent discussing the book and issues on human trafficking.

Rodgers and Naraine wrote the inspirational novel in an attempt to discover the reasons behind selfless actions – to find the “something beyond greatness”. They looked to inspirational figures such as Dr. King and Gandhi as well as ordinary men and women whose actions have bettered the world, asking the question “Is greatness biological or is it spiritual?”. The authors presented their findings to Dadi Janki, a woman of God, and Humberto Maturana, a man of science, to create a profound discussion on the link between spirituality and science, and the inspiration behind great acts of selflessness.

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Innocents At Risk Holiday Tea Party

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Cocktail Reception Hosted by the Ambassador of Mexico to Benefit Innocents At Risk & Airline Ambassadors

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Reception Hosted by the Ambassador of Chile to Benefit Innocents At Risk, Polaris Project & The Emancipation Network

INVITATION from the Ambassador of Chile, November 10, 2009

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An Evening of Shopping & Champagne with Dior to Benefit Knock Out Abuse

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Celebrate the Launch of Our New Website at Cabanas!

Innocents at Risk Reception at Cabanas


The DC Human Trafficking Task Force Night at The Park

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Remember to mention Innocents at Risk when you purchase your tickets!


The Capital City Ball Kick off Party

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Purchase Tickets


DC Walks to Stop Child Trafficking

September 26, 2009
9:00 a.m. Registration & 10:30 a.m. Walk

Meridian Hill Park
15th Street, NW and W Street, NW
Washington, DC

Join Innocents at Risk for “DC Walks to Stop Child Trafficking” on Saturday, September 26th, 2009. The people of the Washington, DC Metro Area will walk together to rally support, raise awareness, and raise funds to stop child trafficking. This event will be organized by DC Stop Modern Slavery, a community group made up of over 650 community members from the DC Metro Area. This walk will be the largest anti-human trafficking event in DC History, and Innocents at Risk is excited to be involved. It will coincide with September “Combating Human Trafficking Month” and will be part of a larger national effort that includes cities such as New York, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Chicago and Dallas. In addition, this event will bring together the DC community, NGO’s, local authorities and the media in raising awareness of and combating modern slavery in DC.

Innocents at Risk will have a booth at the event, and our Founder, Deborah Sigmund will participate in a panel discussion. President Obama has been invited to attend.

When: Saturday, September 26th, 2009. Registration opens at 9:00a.m. Walk begins at 10:30 a.m.

Where: Meridian Hill Park, 15th Street, NW and W Street, NW, Washington DC.

To Get Involved: Call the Innocents at Risk office at 202-625-4338.


Capital City Ball

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Buy your tickets to the Capital City Ball before they’re sold out!


Screening of the Film “Taken”

Screening of the film ''Taken'' - June 29, 2009

Screening of the film “Taken”

Starring Liam Neeson and Maggie Grace

Directed by Pierre Morel
Hosted by Innocents at Risk

Monday, June 29th at 6:30pm

Letelier Theatre

3251 Prospect Street NW, Ste 500

Washington, DC 20007

Proceeds from this event went to support Innocents at Risk and our mission to end the global trafficking of women and children.


An Evening to Benefit Innocents at Risk, 2009

An Evening to Benefit Innocents at Risk - May 20, 2009

Hosted by The Ambassador of France, H.E. Pierre Vimont

Wednesday, May 20th at 7pm

The Ambassador’s Residence
Washington, DC

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View more photos and slideshow of the event


Holiday Tea Hosted by Ann Hand

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Tea Hosted by Ann Hand


Reception at Belgian Ambassador’s Residence

Reception at Belgian Ambassador's Residence

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Embassy of Colombia Benefit


Congressman Chris Smith, Deborah Sigmund, Angel Saltos, Ambasdor Carolina Barco, Secretary Carlos Gutierrez

 


Isabel Ernest, Ambasdor Carolina Barco, Congressman Chris Smith, Deborah Sigmund


Screening of the Film “Trade”

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THIS Event

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Cocktails & Cupcakes

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An Evening to Benefit Innocents at Risk, 2008

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Reception at the Embassy of Mexico

 

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Alma Alfaro, Deborah Sigmund, Michelle Maele DuPont & Marleem Malek

Ambassador Arturi Sarakhan, Deborah Sigmund, Under Secretary Paula Dobriansky & Veronica Valencia Sarkhan
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Ambassador Sarakhan & Angel Saltas

Mexican Cultrual Institute

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Veronica Valencia Sarkhan, Ambassador Sarahan & Gail Scott

Mexican Cultrual Institute

Dr. Juliette Engel, Pat Scantz, Mary Bird

Under Secretary Paula Dobriansky

Dr. Mohomned Mattar & Michele Clark

Under Secretary Paula Dobriansky & Deborah Sigmund

Rhonda Wilkens, Marella Trager & Erica Moorehead

Shaluri Mafi, Pat Scantz, Hassau Mafi

Veronica Valencia Sarkhan, Ambassador Arturi Sarakhan, Under Secretary Paula & Deborah Sigmund

Congressman Bob Garcia & Ester Cooper Smith

Ester Cooper Smith, Deborah Sigmund & Under Secretary Paula Dobriansky


A Holiday Celebration

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Neiman Marcus Mazza Gallerie Salutes Innocents at Risk

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2007 Innocents at Risk Benefit

April 19, 2007


Director of the Ricky Martin Foundation, Angel Saltos; Edi Gutierrez, Wife of the Secretary of Commerce; Deborah Sigmund; Ambassador of Sweden, Gunnar Lund & Under Secretary of State, Paula Dobriansky


Shamim Jawad, Isabel Ernst, Debroah Sigmund & Under Secretary of State Paula Dorbriansky


Barbara Harrison & Deborah Sigmund


Deborah Sigmund giving an award to Ambassador Gunnar Lund


Cidalia Akbar, Shamim Jawad & Annie Totah


Mrs. Carlos Gutierrez, Erica Gutierrez & Carlos Gutierrez Jr.


Isabel Ernst, Deborah Sigmund & Dianne Bruce


Pamela Sorensen &Victoria Michaels


Isabel Ernst, Ricardo Ernst, Carl Colby & Luca Ferrari


Dianne Bruce & Kim Nettles


Analia Stadthagen, Lizette Corro & Flor Castillo


Melvyn & Suellen Estrin


Mary Ammons, Cindy Jones & Betsy Delphos


Ambassador Paul Frazer, Dr. Tina Alster & Septime Webre of The Washington Ballet


The Ambassador of the Dominican Republic and Mrs. Espinal talking with Angel Saltos


Rakela Ruperez & Lloyd Hand


Judith Wilson, Isabel Ernst, Deborah Sigmund & Ricardo Ernst


Ashley Taylor & Ann Hand


Pat Skantz & Lolo Sarnoff


Isabel Ernst, Deborah Sigmund & Dianne Bruce

Click here to view the 2007 Benefit Program


A Holiday Celebration Presented By Van Cleef & Arpels

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Reception at Residence of Swedish Ambassador

Isabel Ernst, Ambassador Gunner Lund and Deborah Sigmund

Lolo Sarnoff and Pat Scantz

Betsy Holleman, Nina Pillsburg, Arlene Eltzgroth


Luncheon in Honor of the First Lady of the Dominican Republic

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Interamerican Development Bank Event with Ricky Martin

 

Left to right: Ambassador of Columbia, Director of Interamerican Development Bank, Isabel Ernst, Abassador Luis Alberto Moreno

Ricky Martin and Deborah Sigmund


Luncheon at the Embassy of Afghanistan

with Shahin Jawad, Wife of Ambassador of Afghanistan


Shamim Jawad (Hostess), Marie Isabel Abdenur (Wife of Ambassador of Brazil), Brenda de Suze

Shelia Katz, Heba Augustssen, and Marie Terese Lowell

Executive Committee Members: Hafeza Shahrayhr and Shaista Mahmood

Pamela Aparicio and Mary Bird

Undersecretary Paula Dobriansky speaking at luncheon at the Ambassadors.

Shamim Jawad, Undersecretary Paula Dobriansky and Deborah Sigmund.