LOTUS LEGAL CLINIC INC’s Post

In 2022, Black women and girls made up approximately 18% of all missing persons cases despite accounting for about 7% of the population, according to data from the National Crime Information Center and U.S. Census Bureau. One important element that impacts how many of these cases get resolved is the role of law enforcement in conducting timely and serious investigations into the disappearances. There are too many stories of women and girls of color either never being found or being found murdered in part because of racial bias within law enforcement. But there are people and organizations doing good work to combat this epidemic of missing and murdered Black girls like the ones featured in this NPR story that inspired my upcoming film "Missing While Black." #missingwhileblack #helpusfindus # https://lnkd.in/dzvCBihQ

Did you know? 66% of gender-related homicides of women and girls are committed by an intimate partner. This alarming statistic serves as a stark reminder of the prevalence of abuse and violence against women, even within intimate relationships. As allies, we can take action. Whether it's intervening directly, offering support to survivors, or educating others, each action counts. We must create safer communities and stand against gender-based violence. (Source: Police-reported gender-related homicides of women and girls in Canada, 2011 to 2021, Statistics Canada) #StandUpSpeakOut #EndGBV #EndViolenceAgainstWomen #EndDomesticViolence #SupportSurvivors #WatchingOverWomen #WOWToronto 💜

New figures show that police receive more reports of #rape from 14-year-old girls than any other age group. In the Times at the weekend, Home Secretary Yvette Cooper, says she wants to wants to halve violence against women and girls and is particularly worried about the ease with which young boys can access extreme porn online. I find the juxtaposition of her objective alongside young boys and porn a little troubling. These numbers are undeniably horrific and her interventions welcomed. But this is not and should not be just about protecting girls. Boys aged 10-14 are a group with a similarly high likelihood to be victims of #sexualassault. The root causes, perpetrators and solutions are likely to be the same. So the narrative needs to address how we can protect all #children first and foremost. And not frame it as a situation where only our daughters are at risk from evil men (or indeed young boys), because our sons are just as vulnerable. Home Office stats here: https://lnkd.in/eA5HDuYZ #sexoffences #childsafety

Today is Human Trafficking Awareness Day. We wear blue to show our awareness for the horrific crimes of sex and labor trafficking. But I urge you to do more than wear blue. Do your research, find out which organizations are truly doing the work needed to support victims and survivors. Ask your church what forms of prevention and training and assistance is being offered. Do they even talk about it? Victims are victimized multiple times a day. Think about that. Let it sink in. We cannot idly stand by wearing a blue shirt one day of the year and check the box for activism. No, we must find a gap in services in our communities and work to fill that. Does your community have a safe space for teens to go play or socialize? If not, they are turning to the internet, where predators are waiting to groom and pick their next victims. Does your business post human trafficking awareness posters and provide training to help identify indicators of trafficking? Are you contributing to the problem by patronizing places that use forced labor or patronizing clubs that use underage victims as their form of entertainment? Unless we are ready to accept that this is here in America, in our own schools, backyards, and even the classmates your own children know, turning a blind eye exacerbates the issue. You become complicit with the traffickers. As Ghandi once said, "Be the change that you wish to see in the world." I urge you to do something more, to challenge yourself to find the gaps in services, to report what looks suspicious, to post signs of awareness, and to stop patronizing businesses that contribute to victimization. Victims are relying on you and I to do something. #humantraffickingprevention

A Call to Action: 6,000 Victims a Day - The Alarming Reality of Human Trafficking in Alabama 🚨**#HumanTraffickingAwareness #AlabamaNeedsYou** 👥 Every single day, an estimated 6,000 individuals in Alabama fall victim to human trafficking, encompassing both labor and sex trafficking. This is not just a statistic; it's a distressing reality happening in our own backyards, from Birmingham to Huntsville, Montgomery to Mobile. 🔍 The Eighth Annual Human Trafficking Summit revealed these alarming numbers, shedding light on a crisis that continues to escalate across both urban and rural areas of our state. 🤝 As members of the Alabama community and as global citizens, it's our duty to stand against this. But awareness is just the first step. We need to transform this knowledge into action. 📢 Here’s how you can help: Educate Yourself and Others: Understand the signs of human trafficking. Knowledge is power. Support Local Organizations (LIKE OURS): Many nonprofits are at the forefront of this battle. Advocate for Policy Change: Urge your local representatives to prioritize anti-trafficking legislation. Raise Awareness: Share this post, talk to your friends, family, and colleagues. ✍️ Comment Below: What actions will you take to fight human trafficking in Alabama? Let's unite our voices and make a real change! 🔄 Share This Post: The more people know, the stronger our fight against human trafficking becomes. Together, we can end this. #EndHumanTrafficking #AlabamaUnited

https://lnkd.in/g9DeyAJb I've shared a thought-provoking blog post about youth violence prevention and the role of the public library. This is just one of countless examples of the positive impact that public libraries have on communities, families, and youth. #librarysecurity #safetyculture #librarysafety #publicsafety #youthviolenceprevention #communityresources

Time to get UNCOMFORTABLE. Here's the reality and a direct quote from RAINN, the Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network👇🏾 "According to Department of Justice statistics, Black girls and women 12 years and older experienced higher rates of rape and sexual assault than white, Asian, and Latina girls and women from 2005-2010." We cannot go through National Youth Violence Prevention Week AND National Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention Month without acknowledging that Black girls and women are being disproportionately abused.  Black girls and women frequently encounter elevated levels of sexual violence, compounded by a sense of limited recourse for seeking justice and support. In fact, Black women face the greatest risk compared to any other group when it comes to experiencing sexual violence at the hands of police officers. Furthermore, adverse encounters with law enforcement on a personal, familial, and community level may lead Black survivors to believe that reporting such violence to the police is not a viable choice for them. (Jacobs, M. S., 2017. The Violent State: Black Women's Invisible Struggle Against Police Violence. University of Florida Levin College of Law.) It's time for action, solidarity, and justice for ALL. 🗣️✊🏿 #BreakTheCycle #EndAbuseNow #nationalsexualassaultawarenessandpreventionmonth #nationalyouthviolencepreventionweek

A few days ago, we gathered as a community to raise our voices against one of the most egregious violations of human rights: human trafficking. On this World Day Against Trafficking in Persons, we unite in solidarity with survivors, advocates, and organizations worldwide to shine a light on this global issue. Human trafficking is a crime that exploits the most vulnerable among us, often targeting women, children, and marginalized communities. It thrives in the shadows, fueled by greed, desperation, and a lack of awareness. It manifests in various forms – from forced labor and sexual exploitation to organ trafficking and forced marriage. Behind each statistic is a human story of unimaginable suffering and loss of dignity. As a community, we have a responsibility to educate ourselves and others about the signs of trafficking, to support survivors on their path to recovery, and to hold perpetrators and traffickers accountable. Awareness is our first line of defense, and action is our greatest weapon against this modern-day slavery. #EndHumanTrafficking #WorldDayAgainstTrafficking #CommunityAgainstTrafficking

Watch this great interview with Kerry Staines, CEO of National Family Violence Prevention and Legal Services Forum (NFVPLS Forum) on the massive gaps in the National Cabinet’s response to domestic and family violence, particularly for First Nations women. The Federal Govermnet must urgently commit additional funding to frontline, Aboriginal-controlled organisations, including Family Violence Prevention Legal Services and Aboriginal Women’s Legal Services in the May budget. #fundequaljustice #accesstojustice

Level Green community: It’s no secret that I have been advocating for resources for the Level Green community since I have been in office such as spot shooter technology, a district recreational center as well increased activities for youth. This is why I have hosted numerous walkthroughs with law enforcement and created an annual youth festival for the neighborhood. Level Green has always been a priority for me. Last night a few members from the neighborhood came out to attend a community safety meeting that I hosted to address their concerns with Chief Neudigate. Here are some of the key points from the meeting. 1. Parents must be concerned with the activities of their children in the home and on social media. 2. Additional police resources are needed in the Level Green neighborhood, community policing, gang activity needs to be addressed in the community, additional activities are needed to engage youth ages 16 and up, and this must be a collaborative effort between parents, parents, youth, elected officials and community partners. We can address youth violence together! #communitysupport #workingtogeth