November, 2017
JCAST Chicago November Guest Blog

A Locker Room Talk
By: Caleb Probst,   Education Manager, Chicago Alliance Against Sexual Exploitation

Ok guys, bring it in.

What is going on out there? We've been terrible so far. I don't know if you can hear what they're saying, but it is not good. And I for one am sick of it.

Harvey. Donald. Bill. And Bill. Also Roger. And another Bill. Woody. Roman. Roy. Chris and Travis and Justin. Those are just the all-star creeps!

Then we've got all the back-ups. Chad. Eric. Randy. The guy at the bar last night. Your buddy from college. The weird dude who seems to be at every party. I mean the list just keeps going.

And what are we doing about it? Nothing. Most of us are doing nothing. And that's the problem. We are sitting on the sidelines, warming the bench like passive bystanders, meanwhile giving our silent endorsement of sexism, misogyny, harassment and assault. We are sustaining the rape culture. Now I get that a lot of us do this as a means of self-preservation. We don't condemn our buddy's harassment of a woman on the street, because we're scared he'll call us a "pussy" if we do. And we join in when the guys brag about their sexual conquests, or discuss women as nothing more than a collection of parts, because we're afraid they'll call us a "fag" if we don't.

But enough already. I thought men were supposed to be brave. Supposed to be tough. It's time to step up. Who's with me?

YEAH! Ok, here's the game plan.

Let's start by acknowledging the role we all have played in creating this culture of hostility and harm. I'm know I'm not the only one, but I have laughed at jokes that used women as the punchline. I have probably even told a few. In college, I generally turned a blind eye when senior guys gave sophomore girls loads of alcohol in the hopes of "hooking up" with them later. And, I once tried to make a woman feel guilty for rejecting my advances. I am ashamed of my behavior and regret those decisions, because I now recognize the harm that they cause. But, I don't do that anymore.

So let's commit to changing our behavior and making different decisions. When a woman says "no", we're going stop - the first time. No more convincing, coercing, begging, or badgering. It's not a negotiation, she has the right not to like you. You got that Tony? And if Tony fumble this one, RJ and Desmond, I want to see you coming in fast with a double-team to remind him that harassing women is not cool. Got it? Same goes for the endless onslaught of lewd jokes and lascivious comments, alright? I want to see us really stepping up the pressure on these, knocking them down, intercepting, deflecting all of them. Let's make it so hard for these things to land, that we force them to abandon the passing game.

Last thing, if a woman breaks through the line and discloses an assault, believe her. Even if she says it was one of our friends. Don't tell her she was wrong. Don't tell her he's a really great guy and she just misunderstood. Don't ask her what she'd been wearing, or how much she'd been drinking, or what she'd said to lead him on. Ask what she would like to do, and if she would like for you to help. She's got the ball, so let her run with it. If she wants you to block for her, put your shoulders into it. But if all she needs is for you to listen, then take that helmet off and listen.

We can still win this, guys! Let's do it together. "End RAPE" on three, ready? One, two, three...

Column from Huff Post published on 10/23/2017 
JCAST Chicago - Chicago Event- Monday, December 11

Grab your daughters, neighbors, and friends and join us at Temple Sholom, 3480 N. Lake Shore Dr., Chicago, on Monday, December 11 at 6:00 for dinner and discussion. JCAST Chicago is excited to partner with the Temple Sholom Sisterhood. All are welcome!

Suggested donation of $36 will support JCAST Chicago 2018 programs and events!

Please RSVP by 12/7 to Stacy Charnay by email or phone: 773-435-1545
Become a JCAST Chicago Intern!

Every year  JCAST  Chicago partners with college and graduate student interns. Interns research new laws and trends as well as work with staff and volunteers to increase awareness and knowledge of sex trafficking in the Chicagoland area. These opportunities pay a small stipend and offer flexible hours.

For a copy of the intern job description or for more information, contact Gayle. We look forward to talking with you!
Upcoming Event*

Chicago Bar Association(CBA)-  Human Trafficking Committee, Service Project

December 9, 10 a.m.-12 p.m.
Support sex trafficking survivors! Join the Chicago Bar Association, Human Trafficking Committee and clean a Chicago drop-in shelter. For more information, contact Katie Liss
 

*Please note that not all of these events are sponsored or hosted by JCAST Chicago but are listed here as a convenience to those who might be interested.
TAKE ACTION 
Toiletry and Gift Card Donations Needed Year-round to support young women trafficked in Chicago that are helped by the Dreamcatcher Foundation. 

Donation Drop off locations:
Encore & More: 1107 Central Ave, Wilmette
Hadassah Thrift Shop, 405 Lake Cook Rd, Deerfield
Hadassah Office, 60 Revere Dr #800, Northbrook
Temple Sholom, 3480 N Lake Shore Dr, Chicago

If you or your organization would consider organizing a collection drive or a packing program, please contact Donna Fishman at donna@jcastchicago.org.

Street Dignity Bag Packing List:
These items are needed in small, travel sizes. One of each item will be packed in a gallon ziploc "street survival" bag. These items may be packed in ziploc or other small tote bag, or donated in bulk. ( You might even Ask your local businesses if they have items to donate and share this list.)

toothbrush and toothpaste (*ask your dentist!)
hand sanitizer
hand lotion
granola or power bar
pack of tissues
Gallon Ziploc Bags
$5 McDonald's Gift Cards

Prevention Bag Packing List:
The Dreamcatcher Foundation regularly visits girls living in at-risk communities, including teen-aged single mothers. These items may be packed in a tote bag and donated in bulk.

shampoo
liquid body soap
dove soap
deodorant
lotion or moisturizer
perfumed body spray
Gift or tote bags

*Bulk items, hotel toiletries and gift cards to McDonalds ($5), Target, Dollar Store, CVS or Walgreens (any amount) are always welcome*
JCAST Chicago on the Move
JCAST Chicago has been busy giving presentations across the Chicago Metropolitan area, for Jewish and secular groups.  Please help JCAST secure speaking "gigs" at Jewish organizations.  Contact Donna at info@jcastchicago.org  with names and contacts at synagogues, chavurot, and other Jewish organizations. 

Upcoming JCAST Chicago Presentations

12/11/2017- Temple Sholom Sisterhood
1/11/2018- JWRP leaders of Hadassah
Sex Trafficking in the News:
More and more our news feeds are filled with stories about sex trafficking - some positive and some negative. Here are a few article links that may be of interest.
Make an End of Year gift to JCAST Chicago and support education and advocacy in 2018
Steering Committee
JCAST Chicago is governed by a Steering Committee of dedicated individuals. If you would be interested in serving on the steering committee or one of our Action Teams, email info@jcastchicago.org

Steering Committee Co-Chairs:
Donna Fishman, NCJW
Susan Rifas, JUF, JWF

Steering Committee:
Ronna Ash, Hadassah
Susan Block, Hadassah
Cathy Carmody, NCJW
Donna Gutman, NCJW, ICJW, CEASE Network 
Sara Kalish,  Chicago Parks Foundation
Betsy Lazerow, JCFS, JCARES
Carole Levine, NCJW 
Rae Luskin, NCJW
Sherry Petlin, NCJW
Bonnie Ribet, NCJW
Heather Ross, NCJW, Hakafa 
Mara Ruff, JUF 
Stacy Saef, NCJW 
Joan Zahnle, NCJW CNS
Rochel Ray & Samantha Spolter, SHALVA 

Gayle Nelson, Engagement and Development Director
JCAST Chicago 
2018 Calendar!

1/21- Showing of I am Jane Doe, Northbrook Library, 2:00PM

1/25- Evanston Training of Nonprofit leaders and First Responders, 9:00 a.m. 

1/30-Oakton Community College, DesPlaines Campus-Showing of new film- Stopping Traffic, 12:00p.m.

3/11- How to Talk to our Sons about Pornography, Internet and Consent, 7:00-8:30 p.m.

4/22- How to Talk to our Daughters  about Pornography, the Internet and Consent, 7:00-8:30 p.m. 

And Passover events in the City and Burbs with NA'AMAT!
Featured Organization

Chicago Bar Association, Human Trafficking Committee

The Human Trafficking Committee of the Chicago Bar Association was created earlier this year by Chair: Kathryn Carso Liss, from the Law Offices of Jean Conde PC and Vice Chair: Catherine N. Longkumer, Legal Aid Society of Metropolitan Family Services. The new Committee has great speakers during their 12:15 lunch meetings on the second Tuesday of every month at the CBA headquarters, 321 S. Plymouth. Lawyers and non-lawyers are welcome to participate.
 
In 2018, the Committee is planning a number of great speakers. On 1/19/2018 join many of the members for a  lunch & fireside chat CLE with Judge Virginia Kendall and Assistant US Attorney Bethany Biesenthal. They will discuss the role and efforts of the federal judicial system in trafficking cases. 

T he Committee will reconvene on 2/14 for a j oint meeting with Labor & Employment Law Committee discussing the Illinois Domestic Workers Bill of Rights with speakers Lydia Colunga-Merchant of Raise the Floor & Darci Flynn of Heartland Alliance. On 3/13 there will be a j oint meeting with Cyber Law Committee discussing Backpage.com and Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act with speaker - Ret. CPD Det.  Al Krok  and others.
 
For more information or to suggest a speaker, please contact Kathryn at klisslegal@gmail.com
Take Action
Take Action!

Here are some things you can do today to take action against Sex Trafficking: 


* Sign up for Action Alerts
Visit our website to keep up-todate with the issues most relevant to you. Sign up for JCAST Chicago, NCJW or Sex Trafficking Action Alerts today! 

* Send a Letter
Send a letter calling on local leaders and law enforcement to enforce laws and end demand. Visit our website to print out constructions and a sample letter.

* Hang a Flyer
Victims may visit bus stations, grocery stores, currency exchanges, and gas stations. Hang a poster featuring the hotline for the National Human Trafficking Resource Center. and help them escape to safety! Visit our website for more information and to print flyers.

* Write a Letter to the Editor
Write a letter to the editor when you learn publicly about arrests of perpetrators of sex trafficking. Commending the media, the police departments involved, and local authorities keeps sex trafficking in the news and encourages more enforcement. Visit our website for a sample letter to the editor. 
Resources

Books:
Sex Trafficking: Inside the Business of Modern Slavery by Siddharth Kara

Girls Like Us: Fighting for a World where Girls are not for Sale by Rachel Lloyd

The Johns: Sex for Sale and the Men Who Buy it by Victor Malarek

The Natashas: Inside the Global Sex Trade by Victor Malarek

Women Hold up Half the Sky: Turing Oppression into Opportunity for Women Worldwide by Sheryl Wudunn and Nicholas Kristof

Podcasts:
IN PLAIN SIGHT Podcast  to End Human Trafficking Each week, the IN PLAIN SIGHT Podcast features a an inspiring speaker who may educate you in your work to end human trafficking around the globe.  Click here  for a link to the website.

Websites:
Jewish Coalition Against Sex Trafficking (JCAST) Chicago
847-853-8889 *  info@jcastchicago.org     www.jcastchicago.org


JCAST Chicago is supported by the Jewish Women's Foundation of Metropolitan Chicago.