Florida Becomes First State to Teach Human Trafficking Prevention in Schools

"The State Board of Education has unanimously approved a new rule requiring instruction in child trafficking prevention for students in grades K-12. With this approval, Florida will be the first state in the nation to address the need for instruction in child trafficking prevention.

The new rule also establishes procedures for school districts to plan and document delivery of the required instruction.

Florida is third in the nation for numbers of reported cases of human trafficking, and the average age of trafficked youth is 11 to 13 years old. In 2018, there were 767 human trafficking cases reported in Florida. Of those cases, 149 were minors. Up to 70 percent of sex trafficking and exploitation begins with predators connecting with youth online. According to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, one out of eight endangered runaway youth is likely a victim of human trafficking."

Read Full Article Here

Scientology's Leader, David Miscavige Has Been Served!

"Church of Scientology leader David Miscavige Opens in New Window has finally been served in the scathing child trafficking and kidnapping lawsuit filed by ex-member Valerie Haney.

In court papers obtained from Los Angeles Superior Court, Miscavige, 59, was served on October 10, 2019 at Church of Scientology International in Los Angeles, California.

According to the process server, the documents were left with a “John Doe,” who is listed as a “Front Desk Agent.”

The documents were also mailed to the Defendants.
 
The Sea Org, in large part, functions by way of human trafficking, including the trafficking of children,” the filing read. “Defendants engage in the forced labor of adults and children in the Sea Org. Defendants have made billions off the backs of men, women, and children who are trafficked and forced to work 75 to 100 hour weeks for far below the minimum wage with little to no free time or vacation under the threat of severe punishment for failure to perform their work duties.”

Read Full Article Here

 
From what we have gathered from former members of Scientology there are many former and current executives within the organization that should be held accountable for these charges.

As with the NXIVM case, the leader Kieth Raniere wasn't the only one responsible for the harmful acts committed against the vulnerable woman.

But we will have to wait and see how this plays out in the courts, for now it is some progress.

Voluntary & Free Therapy Program for Survivors of Sexual Violence - Palm Springs Area

We are collaborating with Ending Clergy Abuse to help promote this Voluntary and Free therapy program for survivors of sexual violence. Details below.

"Volunteers are needed to participate in a new art-based therapy program for victim-survivors of sexual violence. The program will take place in the greater Palm Springs area in California, November 15-17, 2019. 

Participants will spend two nights at the Westin Mission Hills Golf Resort & Spa where the workshop will take place. 

This workshop is being offered for research purposes and has been approved by Penn State University's Institutional Review Board. If you are interested in participating or would just like to learn more please contact Chaarvi Modi at cxm1268@psu.edu or Tel: 814-360-9661."

  

We are also starting to schedule Anti-Trafficking workshops. We are in need of local Organizers and Sponsors to help us get this life saving education to communities around the USA. 

Support is needed to help survivors of abuse, trafficking, cult groups, predators and to help in the Preventative Education efforts. Please make your in-kind donation today - it is greatly needed and appreciated.  Please Give What You Can Today

Please share. 

Thank you, 

The FACT Team 

Jehovah's Witness Elder Gets 80 Years for Sexually Assualting 4 Children

"CLEBURNE COUNTY, Ark. — A church leader convicted of sexually assaulting children has been sentenced to 80 years in prison.

Roderick Watkins, 57, received the jury’s verdict last week in Cleburne county.

Watkins was an elder in the Jehovah’s Witness church, according to court documents.

Court documents reveal that at least four people came forward over the past year, accusing Watkins of sexually assaulting them while they were children. The four victims included three boys and one girl.

Cleburne county sheriff, Chris Brown, says six other people came forward as the trial neared, bringing the total number of accusers to 10.

The state prosecuted Watkins on four charges. He received the maximum penalty, 20 years, for each one."

Read Full Article Here

Judge Held Prosecutors in Contempt for Not Turning Evidence Over in Case Against La Luz del Mundo

Sept 19, 2019 LA Times Article:

"A Los Angeles County Superior Court judge held state prosecutors in contempt Thursday for not turning evidence over in the sexual abuse case against the leader of La Luz Del Mundo and two of his followers.

Judge Teresa Sullivan fined Deputy Atty. Gens. Amanda Plisner and Diana Callaghan $5,000 each for violating a court order to hand over materials to attorneys representing Alondra Ocampo, Susana Oaxaca and Naason Joaquin Garcia, leader of La Luz del Mundo, an international church based in Mexico with more than 5 million members. His followers call him the apostle of Jesus Christ.

The judge told prosecutors they have until Friday morning to turn over the evidence.

Garcia and the two co-defendants were arrested in June and charged with 26 felony counts that include child rape, production of child pornography and human trafficking. All three have pleaded not guilty. Garcia, who was hit with a historic $50-million bail early in the case remains in custody, as does Ocampo. A fourth defendant remains at large.

During the hearing, Sullivan told prosecutors they have been given more than “ample opportunity to comply” with the order to turn over evidence to the defense.

Prosecutors have said they have had a hard time combing through the evidence, in part because they haven’t been able to determine what can be handed over to the defense team and what can’t.

The judge said the court has taken much of that into account but that despite the amount of time the prosecution has been given, it was in violation of the court’s order.

“We are here at preliminary hearing, Mr. Garcia and Ms. Ocampo remained in custody and their attorneys have not been provided the information,” Sullivan said. “This is a violation of the court’s order and at this time I’m finding the government in contempt.”

Attorneys for the defendants declined to comment on Thursday’s hearing.

Prosecutors alleged that Garcia and the co-defendants sexually abused three girls and a woman in Los Angeles County between 2015 and 2018. Prosecutors said the victims were coerced into performing sexual acts and were told if they went against any of Garcia’s desires or wishes as “the Apostle” they were going against God.

Prosecutors have accused Garcia of using his position in power to take advantage and exploit young women. They alleged that he received numerous child pornography images and videos. They have said they expect the case to possibly include more victims.

Meanwhile Ocampo, a former college student, has been accused of being the “groomer and recruiter” of all the young women who were allegedly sexually assaulted by Garcia. In court, Plisner has said that Oaxaca was Garcia’s assistant.

Attorneys for Garcia have said thousands of female church members are ready to testify for him. They’ve called his bail amount unconstitutional and argued against Atty. Gen. Xavier Becerra’s assertion that Garcia could raise money among his followers to post bail and flee even though the church does not permit its funds or assets to be spent to pay for criminal defense or bail.

Since his arrest the church has maintained its support of Garcia and the co-defendants.

At Thursday’s hearing, all three defendants sat quietly as Sullivan heard attorneys from both sides. When the hearing was over, deputies escorted Garcia and Ocampo back to their holding cells. Oaxaca, wearing a long black skirt and long sleeve shirt, walked back to her family. Elsewhere in the court, supporters nodded and smiled in agreement with Sullivan’s order."

Sept 19, 2019 LA Times Article