DHS Blue Campaign January 11th Stakeholder Event
Innocents at Risk and Airline Ambassadors were recognized at this Department of Homeland Security Event for being the driving force behind “Blue Lightning.” Our Flight Attendant Initiative is now DHS Backed!
Download the DHS – Blue Campaign Presentation (pdf file)
In recognition of National Human Trafficking Awareness Day on January 11th, 2012, the DHS Blue Campaign Stakeholder Event will include an update for participants on recent accomplishments and provide a platform for stakeholders to offer feedback during a listening session with federal agency subject matter experts from the Departments of Justice (DOJ), Labor (DOL), Health and Human Services (HHS), Transportation (DOT) and Homeland Security (DHS). The listening session moderator will ask for participants’ insights related to the following topics:
- Methods for supporting victims
- Federal government engagement and outreach with local communities
- Targeting outreach to at-risk groups and victims
- Improved awareness of NGO and private sector initiatives and resources
DC Stop Modern Slavery Walk 2011
Hello Walk Partners,
Thank you for participating as an official partner in this year’s DC SMS Walk. This year, the net proceeds (after costs) equal$49,739.36. Of this amount, official partners will receive the following distributions:
| Ayuda | $3,109.23 |
| BPSOS | $3,396.62 |
| Bridge to Freedom Foundation | $3,205.92 |
| Courtney’s House | $5,727.21 |
| FAIR Girls | $3,142.65 |
| Free the Slaves | $3,252.26 |
| Global Centurion | $2,815.15 |
| Innocents at Risk | $3,461.23 |
| The Project to End Human Trafficking | $135.90 |
| Polaris Project | $3,829.28 |
| Restoration Ministries | $3,639.69 |
| Shared Hope International | $3,770.46 |
| Tiny Hands International | $2,792.87 |
Checks have been mailed out to your respective addresses.
Beyond the monetary donations, the walk also produced many other impacts. Among those is the enormous satisfaction that we, the DC Stop Modern Slavery community volunteers, have felt in being able to take on this endeavor and help the cause. Our lives have been enriched tremendously. Thank you for supporting our efforts and allowing us to do what we believe is great work. We could not have done it without the support of organizations like yours.
DC Stop Modern Slavery
2011 Walk Team
DC Stop Modern Slavery Walk 2011
Saturday, October 22, 2011
National Mall
Holiday Tea for Innocents at Risk
Please join Ann Hand and Innocents at Risk
For a Holiday Tea
Thursday, December 8, 2011 2:00 – 6:00 pm
Champagne and Shopping
Ann Hand
4885 MacArthur Boulevard, Washington DC
RSVP 202-625-4338
15% of Proceeds will benefit Innocents at Risk
You may bring a gift for a young woman or child which will be donated to Courtney’s House, Crossway Community and Youth for Tomorrow
Standup for the Children Gala, October 19th
Innocents at Risk and Airline Ambassadors
Cordially Invite You to the
Standup for the Children Gala
An Evening in Old Havana
Wednesday, October 19, 2011
7:00 pm to 12:00 am
The Mayflower Hotel, Washingfton DC
Cocktails, Performances, Dinner and Dancing
Special Guest Performances by
Gabriela Ferrer Show
with
7 Crossing
Featuring Members of the
Miami Sound Machine
$300 ticket / $5,000 Sponsorship
Call 202.625.4338
Awareness is Prevention Speech to the Innocents at Risk Benefit
September 27, 2011 at The Fairfax At Embassy Row, Washington, DC.
One-Year Anniversary of the Blue Campaign
In honor of the one-year anniversary of the DHS Blue Campaign to combat human trafficking,
You are invited to attend a discussion on August 3, 2011 from 1pm to 2pm EST with
Janet Napolitano
Secretary of Homeland Security
John Morton
Director of Immigration and Customs Enforcement
Alejandro Mayorkas
Director of U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services
David Aguilar
Deputy Commissioner of U.S. Customs and Border Protection
Connie Patrick
Director of the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center
Alice Hill
Senior Counselor to the Secretary
Location:
U.S. Department of Homeland Security
3801 Nebraska Avenue, NW
Washington, D.C.
Please RSVP by July 20, 2011 to Stacy Kane at Anastasia.Kane1@dhs.gov.
This invitation is non-transferable.
If you are unavailable and would like someone from your organization to attend on your behalf, please email Anastasia.Kane1@dhs.gov.
Please arrive no later than 12:20pm to allow for security screening.
Additional details will be sent to all attendees after July 20.
Thank you for your partnership with the Blue Campaign and your commitment to fighting human trafficking.
We look forward to seeing you on August 3!
Readout of Secretary Napolitano’s Meeting with Anti-Human Trafficking Leaders
Release Date: August 3, 2011
For Immediate Release
Office of the Press Secretary
Contact: 202-282-8010
WASHINGTON—Secretary of Homeland Security Janet Napolitano today met with anti-human trafficking non-governmental organization (NGO) and victim service leaders to discuss the Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) progress to protect the victims of human trafficking and bring their traffickers to justice. This event comes one year after the launch of the Blue Campaign—a first-of-its-kind, DHS-wide initiative to combat human trafficking through enhanced public awareness, victim assistance programs, and new personnel training and initiatives.
“The Department is committed to leveraging our wide range of expertise and resources to combat human trafficking,” said Secretary Napolitano. “Together, with our partners, we are working to better identify human trafficking, protect victims, and bring perpetrators to justice.”
During the meeting, Secretary Napolitano joined U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Director John Morton, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) Director Alejandro Mayorkas, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Deputy Commissioner David Aguilar, Federal Law Enforcement Training Center (FLETC) Director Connie Patrick, and Blue Campaign Chair Alice Hill to highlight the important work of NGOs committed to ending human trafficking by providing vital services to victims and supporting them as they integrate into the community.
Secretary Napolitano discussed the Department’s progress over the past year educating the public about indicators of human trafficking through initiatives such as CBP’s recent expansion of the “Don’t be Fooled” campaign—which uses public service announcements to educate and increase awareness for human trafficking in communities across the United States – and highlighted the training videos created by DHS’ Office for Civil Rights and Civil Liberties and FLETC to provide DHS personnel with tools to identify the signs of human trafficking and respond appropriately.
Secretary Napolitano also underscored the Department’s efforts to support victims of human trafficking through outreach campaigns including a USCIS informational video, narrated by human trafficking survivors to raise awareness for immigration relief available for victims. Victims of human trafficking are eligible for T visas and U visas – protections allowing them to remain in the United States and assist federal authorities in the investigation and prosecution of human trafficking cases.
The Secretary recognized U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement on the expansion of their Suspension and Debarment Program, which penalizes individuals and companies convicted of human trafficking through debarment from conducting business with federal agencies – a critical step forward in bolstering efforts to discourage and punish human trafficking offenders.
For more information, visit www.dhs.gov/humantrafficking.
Awareness is Prevention Dinner
Join Innocents at Risk and Celebrity Chef Mark Timms for cocktails and dinner at The Fairfax at Embassy Row
DATE: September 27, 2011
LOCATION: The Fairfax at Embassy Row, 2100 Massachusetts Ave, NW, Washington, DC
TIME: Cocktails 7 – 7:45 pm, Seated Dinner 7:45 – 10 pm
PRICE: Individual: $200; Sponsor Table: $5,000; Benefit Table: $2,500
CONTACT: Mariana or Lindsey, 202-625-4338 or dsigmund@innocentsatrisk.org
Sponsorships and program recognition available, please call 202-625-4338 for details.
Reception for Innocents at Risk, Embassy of Luxembourg, May 17, 2011
Washington Nationals Human Trafficking Awareness Night
Save the Date!!! The DC Human Trafficking Task Force (DCHTTF), of which Innocents at Risk is a part, is proud to announce that it will be partnering with the Washington Nationals for an exciting awareness event on June 15 – 7:05pm!! The event will bring attention to human trafficking at a widely publicized sports game — Nationals VS Cardinals. During the game there will be an announcement encouraging the thousands of spectators to visit the DCHTTF information booth in the Nationals Stadium to get more information on human trafficking.
**We will be wearing YELLOW t-shirts to show solidarity for the cause**
Bill Signing Ceremony with Virginia Governor Bob McDonnell
Governor McDonnell signs landmark legislation on Human Trafficking
On Tuesday, May 31, 2011, at Dulles International Airport, significant steps were taken in the fight against human trafficking. Governor Bob McDonnell of Virginia signed three bills into law that expand the kidnapping laws to include trafficking, increase penalties for offenders, and increase resources for victims. In support of this landmark legislation, Deborah Sigmund, Founder of Innocents at Risk attended this Bill Signing Ceremony held by the Governor’s Office. Please see here a link to the Channel 5 FOX News coverage of this event, including an interview with Deborah Sigmund.
Airline Personnel and NGO Partners
are cordially invited to a
Bill Signing Ceremony with
Virginia Governor Bob McDonnell
Tuesday, May 31, 2011
1:30PM – 2:30PM
IAD – Dulles Airport Conference Room A (Across Baggage Claim 1)
Governor McDonnell signs landmark legislation on Human Trafficking
Virginia will sign into law bills: HB- 2190, HB 1893 and HB 2190 proposed by delegates Timothy Hugo, Vivian Watts and Adam Ebbin at Dulles Airport on May 31, 2011.. These laws expand the kidnapping laws to include trafficking, increase penalties for offenders and increase resources for victims.
“It’s hard to believe, but there are victims of this horrible crime living right here in Virginia,” said Delegate Ebbin. “Trafficking victims are often beaten, raped, threatened, manipulated, and locked up. It’s important that when victims are rescued, we are able to get them the aid they need to start the recovery process.”
Victims are often afraid to come forward, and when they do, law enforcement and social services don’t know whether to treat them as criminals or victims. This provides a plan to identify trafficking victims, assists them receiving benefits, and coordinates state agencies and non-profits in delivering health, housing, education, job training, and legal services.”
The event will be held at Dulles Airport as many victims are transported on airlines. It is estimated 800,000 people are trafficked across international borders and 100,000 to 300,000 domestic minors are forced into sexually slavery within the U.S. annually. Airline Ambassadors International, the only independent charity of the overall airline industry, has developed a training program available for airline, airport and hotel employees, as a front-line of defense against this horrific crime.
Airline Representatives (ideally in uniform) are needed to join the ceremony and demonstrate our industry commitment to this important issue. RSVP to ANGELS@airlineamb.org or 202-466-3428
International Missing Children’s Day
The Global Missing Children’s Network commemorates May 25th as the International Missing Children’s Day
For the 3rd year in a row, 13 members of the Global Missing Children’s Network – a program of the International Centre for Missing & Exploited Children (ICMEC) – are coming together to raise awareness about missing and abducted children. The efforts of these members aim to highlight the importance of addressing this serious and global issue and the need for a global and comprehensive response.
Every day, 
all around the world, children go missing, run away, or are abducted by family or non-family members, and as a result, they face a heightened level of vulnerability and increased risk of exploitation. While the majority of children who are reported missing return on their own after a short period of time, the longer a child is missing, the more vulnerable he/she becomes. Therefore, it is paramount that countries are prepared to react and respond quickly to those cases.
Unfortunately, there is no global consensus on how to define “missing child” or on how to investigate these cases. This, in turn, makes it difficult to know the full extent of the problem and to determine how best to protect children from going missing/being abducted.
Conversely, having a clear understanding – and agreed definition – of what is considered a missing child, not only assists law enforcement’s response, determining where and how to focus their resources, but provides critical insights into the situation of missing children and how other agencies/sectors beyond law enforcement are involved. Once collected, this information can be used to properly inform government policies to address the issue of missing children, thus assisting in the development of an effective national strategy. In turn, appropriate data collection and national strategies can further facilitate international collaboration, so critical to an increasing global issue.
Since 1983, families and child advocates have observed May 25th as an annual reminder that everyone can play a part in bringing a missing child home and that child protection must be a priority. As part of the ICMEC’s Global Missing Children’s Network, we celebrate and commemorate this day on behalf of all children of the world. Please join and help us in our mission to protect the world’s most vulnerable citizens by visiting www.helpbringthemhome.org.au and www.facebook.com/Missing.Childrens.Day.25May . Together we can help bring them home.
Cocktail Reception for Innocents at Risk
Hosted by
H. E. Jean-Paul Senninger and Mrs. Louise Akerblom
Tuesday, May 17, 2011
7:00 – 9:00 PM
Embassy of Luxembourg
By Invitation Only
On Tuesday, May 17th, H. E. Jean-Paul Senninger and Mrs. Louise Akerblom will host Innocents at Risk for a Cocktail Reception at the beautiful Embassy of Luxembourg. It will be a very special evening, as we honor Ambassador Melanne Verveer.
In 2009, Melanne Verveer was appointed by President Obama as the first-ever Ambassador-at-Large for Global Women’s Issues. The President’s decision to create this position is unprecedented and reflects the elevated importance of these issues to the President and his entire Administration.
In this historic role, as Director of the Department of State’s new office, Ambassador Verveer coordinates foreign policy issues and activities relating to the political, economic, and social advancement of women around the world. She mobilizes concrete support for women’s rights and political and economic empowerment through initiatives and programs designed to increase women’s and girls’ access to education and health care, to combat violence against women and girls in all its forms, and to ensure that women’s rights are fully integrated with human rights in the development of U.S. foreign policy.
Since 2005, Ambassador Verveer has been a constant advisor on vital issues for Innocents at Risk. She has been a tremendous support to our organization and mission to protect women and children from human trafficking. We are so pleased to pay tribute to our dear friend, Ambassador Verveer.
We would like to invite you to become part of this special event. As a member of the Honorary Committee, you will be listed in the tribute program for Ambassador Verveer and most importantly you will be listed in the tribute film.
We hope we may count on your support to ensure a truly special evening. We look forward to seeing you on May 17th.
Dior Event for Innocents at Risk
I’m Not Buying It Tailgate Rally
Child sex rings spike during Super Bowl week — Read article from USA Today here »
Washington Wizards Trafficking Awareness Day Event
The DC Human Trafficking Task Force (DCHTTF) is proud to announce that it will be hosting an awareness event on National Human Trafficking Awareness Day on January 11, 2011 during the exciting matchup between the Washington Wizards and the Sacramento Kings. The event will bring awareness on human trafficking at a widely publicized sports game. The DCHTTF will have an information booth at the game and the announcer will read a statement about National Human Trafficking Awareness Day to thousands of spectators in the stadium.
If you attended the DC Stop Modern Slavery Walk in October please wear your red shirts from the walk which highlight the DCHTTF and the National Human Trafficking Hotline (1-888-3737-888). If you weren’t at the walk and do not have a t-shirt please feel free to wear any red shirt to show your solidarity with us as a movement to end human trafficking!
Please see details below regarding ticket purchases.
What: DCHTTF hosts Human Trafficking Awareness Night with the Washington Wizards
Where: Verizon Center (601 F St NW, Washington, DC 20059)
When: 1/11/2011 at 7:00 p.m.
Details: Tickets range from $22 – $65. You can purchase tickets for the game here: [http://www.verizoncenter.com/wiz/dctaskforce].
When prompted for the secret password simply enter: WIZARDS.
A portion of the proceeds from the tickets will go towards member organizations of the task force serving victims of human trafficking.
We hope to see you there!
Sincerely,
Innocents at Risk
A Holiday Tea with Ann Hand & Innocents at Risk
Jewelry for Good!
The Scene BISNOW
December 9, 2010
Last night we visited jewelry store Ann Hand for a special holiday tea benefiting Innocents at Risk. Each guest donated a gift for a young woman or child that will be donated to Courtney’s House, Crossway Community, and Youth for Tomorrow.
Philanthropist Cindy Jones is with Ann’s granddaughter Ashley Taylor, who models in Ann Hand’s current ads.
Ann has designed specially commissioned jewelry for a wide variety of events, organizations, and US presidents. Here, Briarley Hill Retreat’s Alyse Muldoon, Ann Hand, Innocents’ Deborah Sigmund, and KDD Consultants’ Kathleen Dur.
Awkard & Assoc’ prez Linda Awkard and Modern Matters & Social Savvy’s Carol Randolph.
Consul General of Spain Hosts Innocents at Risk Event
Please join me for a Luncheon to meet Deborah S. Sigmund, founder of Innocents at Risk
Wednesday November 10, 2010
11:00 am
Home of the Consul General of Spain
3240 North Lake Shore Dr. 3A
Chicago, IL
(Parking available on site)
RSVP by November 6 to Rakelaruperez@aol.com or 773-529-7540
Since 2004, Innocents at Risk has been working to raise awareness about the horrors of child trafficking in America and around the world. We conduct educational outreach programs through churches, clubs, organizations, schools and embassies. Our awareness DVD has been used at every major embassy and throughout the United States as an educational resource.
Deborah Sigmund Takes Trafficking Awareness to Chicago
| Chicago Update |
|
November 23, 2010 – We are so grateful to Rakela Ruperez, the wife of Javier Ruperez, The Consul General of Spain for hosting us at their lovely home in Chicago on Wednesday, November 10, 2010. In attendance: the Consul General of the Czech Republic, Dana Hunatova, and an international delegation from CCCLC representing the US, Germany, France, Italy, Ireland, Barbados, Honduras, Grenada, Turkey, Ecuador, Netherlands, Macedonia, Romania, Sweden, Pakistan and several other nations from around the globe. The luncheon was a great success and opened discussion about the importance of awareness and how awareness is prevention. The international and local audience felt informed and empowered to take the discussion into their groups and schools. All in all, the event was a great success. Thank you, Rakela! Please mark your calendar for the Holiday Tea which Ann Hand is graciously hosting. We hope to see everyone there. Wishing you all a very Happy Thanksgiving! Warmly, Deborah |
CHICAGO, Illinois – On Wednesday, November 10th, Deborah Sigmund and Innocents at Risk were hosted by Rakela Ruperez, the wife of Javier Ruperez (Consul General of Spain) in their lovely home on North Lake Shore Drive in Chicago for a Luncheon with the International Club and friends in Chicago. It was an excellent opportunity to brief the audience on Protecting Women and Children from Human Trafficking. In attendance: the Consul General of the Czech Republic, Dana Hunatova, and an international delegation from CCCLC representing the US, Germany, France, Italy, Ireland, Barbados, Honduras, Grenada, Turkey, Ecuador, Netherlands, Macedonia, Romania, Sweden, Pakistan and several other nations from around the globe.
Since 2004, Innocents at Risk has been conducting educational outreach programs through churches, clubs, organizations, schools and embassies. The Innocents at Risk awareness DVD has been used at every major embassy and throughout the United States as an educational resource. For more information visit the Innocents at Risk website at www.innocentsatrisk.org
Photos from Congressional Briefing, October 6, 2010
Briefing: “How Countries Can Work with Flight Crews to Combat Human Trafficking”
“How Countries Can Work with Flight Crews to Combat Human Trafficking”
Wednesday, October 6, 2010, United States Capitol
Innocents at Risk Founder Deborah Sigmund spoke at this briefing.
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Innocents at Risk Cocktail Reception October 18 at Cafe Milano
DC Stop Modern Slavery Walk
- To register with the Innocents at Risk team please go to http://walk.stopmodernslavery.org
- Click on the REGISTER button
- Read the Waiver/Agreement and click ‘I Agree’ to continue
- Select the ‘Join a Team’ option
- Select ‘Innocents at Risk’ from the ‘Join an Existing Team’ pull down menu
- Click ‘Continue’
- Fill in your personal information and the additional registration information and click ‘Continue’
- We appreciate your time and thank you in advance for your contribution!
Innocents at Risk Movie Screening of ‘REDLIGHT’
Canadian Ambassador: “Slavery Is Not Dead”
The ambassadors of Canada, Sweden, and Mexico weigh in on human trafficking with
Innocents at Risk founder Deborah Sigmund and DC Housewife Lynda Erkiletian at the Canadian Embassy.
September 13- An Evening to Benefit Innocents at Risk
September 13- An Evening to Benefit Innocents at Risk
Empowering Women through U.S. Foreign Policy
You are cordially invited to attend a briefing with
Ambassador-at-Large for Global Women’s Issues
Melanne S. Verveer
“Empowering Women through U.S. Foreign Policy”
Thursday, September 2, 2010
10:00 – 11:30 AM
Loy Henderson Room
23rd Street Entrance
Department of State
June 16th Event Photo Album
Click Here to see THE PHOTO ALBUM
Please join Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton at the Release of the 2010 Trafficking in Persons Report With additional remarks by Under Secretary for Democracy and Global Affairs Maria Otero and Ambassador-at-Large to Monitor and Combat Trafficking in Persons Luis CdeBaca Monday, June 14, 2010
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, Deborah 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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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.
Click image to enlarge.
Ruby Award Presented to Deborah Sigmund for Making a Difference for Women
Click image to enlarge.
Airline Ambassadors International
Click image to enlarge.
DC Stop Child Trafficking Walk
Click image to enlarge.
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
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
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.
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” 
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
Sandra Fiorini, Dr. Laura Lederer, Deborah Sigmund
![865096201_E8EDd-M[1]](http://www.innocentsatrisk.org/wp-content/uploads/865096201_E8EDd-M11.jpg "865096201_E8EDd-M[1]")
Ximena Sanchez de Lozada, wife of former Bolivian president, and Board Advisor Joan Haas
"Sex + Documentary" Documentary Team
May 2nd – Innocents at Risk and the Washington Ballet Present: A Panel Discussion With Minga and Special Guests
Aid for Haiti: A Reception and Discussion at the Georgetown Club
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.
Ambassador Robert Joseph addressing the crowd
Photos and captions thanks to Bisnow
A Tribute to the Resilience of the Women of Haiti
LAST 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].
Mrs. Lola Poisson-Joseph and Deborah Sigmund, founder of Innocents at Risk
Guest of Honor Sean Penn
ABC 7’s Pamela Brown with Haitian Ambassador Raymond Joseph
Marilyn Rose, Councilman Timothy Trudeau, CICM’s Randy Gonzales, and Innocents at Risk Board Member Pat Skantze
Pamela Brown and Deborah Sigmund
A Night at George
A Night at George to Support the Victims of Human
Trafficking
Innocents at Risk founder Deborah Sigmund with Jonathan Corkery and friends at the George event
Innocents at Risk and Free the Slaves fundraising for Nepal.
Wright Sigmund and Courtney Cadwell
Cherie Short, Alexandra Robinson, and Preston Smith
Jonathan Corkery, David Cane, Innocents at Risk Director Deborah Sigmund, and Immigrations and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Senior official Katerina Karousos
Amarie Kappaz, George Kappaz, and Deborah Sigmund
Capital City Ball 2009
Innocents at Risk founder Deborah 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 Poste, Deb Carstens. We would like to give a special thanks to Deb Carstens of the Carsens family fund for being a Liberty Sponsor.
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
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.
Innocents At Risk Holiday Tea Party
Cocktail Reception Hosted by the Ambassador of Mexico to Benefit Innocents At Risk & Airline Ambassadors
Reception Hosted by the Ambassador of Chile to Benefit Innocents At Risk, Polaris Project & The Emancipation Network
An Evening of Shopping & Champagne with Dior to Benefit Knock Out Abuse
Celebrate the Launch of Our New Website at Cabanas!
The DC Human Trafficking Task Force Night at The Park
Remember to mention Innocents at Risk when you purchase your 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.
Screening of the Film “Taken”
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
Hosted by The Ambassador of France, H.E. Pierre Vimont
Wednesday, May 20th at 7pm
The Ambassador’s Residence
Washington, DC
View more photos and slideshow of the event
Holiday Tea Hosted by Ann Hand
Reception at Belgian Ambassador’s Residence
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”
THIS Event
Cocktails & Cupcakes
An Evening to Benefit Innocents at Risk, 2008
Reception at the Embassy of Mexico
 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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 Deborah Sigmund |
 Ambassador Sarakhan & Angel Saltas |
 Mexican Cultrual Institute |
 Ambassador Sarakhan |
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 Veronica Valencia Sarkhan, Ambassador Sarahan & Gail Scott |
 Mexican Cultrual Institute |
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 Dr. Juliette Engel, Pat Scantz, Mary Bird |
 Under Secretary Paula Dobriansky |
 Dr. Mohomned Mattar & Michele Clark |
 Under Secretary Paula Dobriansky & Deborah Sigmund |
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 Rhonda Wilkens, Marella Trager & Erica Moorehead |
 Shaluri Mafi, Pat Scantz, Hassau Mafi |
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 Veronica Valencia Sarkhan, Ambassador Arturi Sarakhan, Under Secretary Paula & Deborah Sigmund |
 Congressman Bob Garcia & Ester Cooper Smith |
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Ester Cooper Smith, Deborah Sigmund & Under Secretary Paula Dobriansky |
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A Holiday Celebration
Neiman Marcus Mazza Gallerie Salutes Innocents at Risk
2007 Innocents at Risk Benefit
April 19, 2007
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Click here to view the 2007 Benefit Program
A Holiday Celebration Presented By Van Cleef & Arpels
Reception at Residence of Swedish Ambassador
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Isabel Ernst, Ambassador Gunner Lund and Deborah Sigmund |
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Lolo Sarnoff and Pat Scantz
Betsy Holleman, Nina Pillsburg, Arlene EltzgrothLuncheon in Honor of the First Lady of the Dominican Republic
Interamerican Development Bank Event with Ricky Martin
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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 |
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 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.