Earlier this month, we had the pleasure of joining forces with Empowerment Collaborative of Long Island (ECLI) and Suffolk County Anti-Trafficking Initiative (SCATI) to host a presentation of Runaway Princess: A Hopeful Tale of Heroin, Hooking, and Happiness, an award-winning show about sex trafficking, as part of Human Trafficking Awareness Month.

In addition to the screening of Runaway Princess, this free event brought together a panel of Human Trafficking experts including Mary Goggin, survivor, Runaway Princess writer, and performer; James P. Murphy, Detective Sergeant with the Suffolk County Police Department; and Molly England, MSW, Suffolk County Anti-Trafficking Initiative (SCATI) Task Force Coordinator. The event included a discussion of the Suffolk County Anti-Trafficking Initiative (SCATI) task force’s response to human trafficking, and its work to prevent, identify and support survivors of human trafficking, successfully prosecute traffickers, and to educate the community and raise awareness about human trafficking issues in Suffolk County, NY.

You can view the discussion by clicking the video below:

Thank you, everyone, for joining us for Runaway Princess: A hopeful tale of heroin, hooking, and happiness and Q&A. What an enlightening and inspiring event! If you're interested in getting involved, we encourage you to support survivors and victim services agencies who are fighting to combat human trafficking every day. 

Runaway Princess is a nonprofit, if you missed the performance, the show is available on demand here https://vimeo.com/ondemand/runaway? Donations can be made at RunawayPrincessPlay.com. To book Mary Goggin, contact her by email marygoggin218@gmail.com.

Empowerment Collaborative of Long Island (ECLI) provides direct services to survivors of human trafficking. Housing and transportation are some of the most basic and costly needs. Please support ECLI by making a donation or volunteering your time. Visit empowerli.org and for all social media accounts and events click here: https://linktr.ee/Empowerli.

Visit SCATI’s website scatili.org and click here https://linktr.ee/scatilongisland for all social media accounts and events. There is information about the task force as well as information about prevention, red flags, and indicators of human trafficking. 

In recognition of Human Trafficking Awareness Month January 2021 we invite you to our many events. Join us for "Sands of Silence: Waves of Courage” an award-winning international film screening and Q&A on Wednesday, January 27 at noon EST (film screening available 48 hours prior to Q&A); Q&A with the “Sands of Silence” documentary director Chelo Alvarez-Stehle and sex-trafficking survivor and film protagonist Virginia Isaias, founder of Human Trafficking Survivors Foundation, as well as a discussion of New York’s regional and statewide response to human trafficking, its support for victims, and resources available for the community with Elizabeth Cronin, New York State Office of Victims Service director. Tickets are available now. Free event. Register here: http://www.brooklynda.org/htawareness2021-community/

And join us for "What Is Your Role in the Anti-Trafficking Movement" on Wednesday, January 27 from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. Tickets are available now. Free event. Register here: http://www.brooklynda.org/htawareness2021-community/

If you are suspicious of a human trafficking crime, call crime stoppers: 1-800-220-TIPS to anonymously submit tips. Text tips anonymously by texting “SCPD” and your message to “CRIMES” (274637). Visit www.tipsubmit.com for anonymous tip submissions. All calls, text messages, and emails will be kept confidential.

For the National Human Trafficking Hotline visit https://humantraffickinghotline.org or call 1-888-373-7888 or text 233733.

To learn more about human trafficking read and share this article to help raise awareness: “What You Need to Know About Human Trafficking” by Molly England. Contact Molly England, Suffolk County Anti-Trafficking Initiative Task Force Coordinator, mengland@empowerli.org for more information.