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Stay up-to-date with the latest developments in our mission to prevent child sexual exploitation and trafficking.
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American Airlines has been a longstanding partner of PACT, demonstrating its commitment to child protection and the prevention of human trafficking and commercial sexual exploitation. We are thankful for American’s continued partnership and its generous contribution of American Airlines AAdvantage® miles in support of PACT’s Survivors Council.
Donna Lynne Hubbard is the daughter of the late author and Community Activist Barbara “Nayo” Watkins and Charles “Charlie” Hubbard, graduates of Atlanta’s historic Booker T. Washington High School. Raised by her mother Nayo and Civil Rights Icon Hollis Watkins who took great pride in cultivating Donnas' social awareness and creative spirit, at 16 she married and became a wife and mother.
Patrick Pacious is President and Chief Executive Officer of Choice Hotels International, Inc. (NYSE: CHH), one of the largest and most successful lodging franchisors in the world, with nearly 7,500 hotels, representing almost 630,000 rooms, in 46 countries and territories as of September 30, 2023. Mr. Pacious’s nearly 20-year tenure at Choice has been marked by growth, innovation and effectively anticipating and capitalizing on industry trends.
Jackie Shapiro grew up in Greeley, Colorado and thought she wanted to be a diplomat. That didn’t happen. But, a bit unusual for “her time”, she did graduate from college with a triple major in history, East Asian area studies and Chinese language. With great idealism and enthusiasm, she joined the Peace Corps and was sent to teach as a volunteer in South Korea.
We had the opportunity to sit down with 2024 Freedom Awards Honoree, Jacqueline Shapiro, a passionate child protection and human rights advocate and philanthropist who now serves on PACT’s Emeritus Council.
Jess Dannhauser is the Commissioner of the NYC Administration for Children's Services (ACS). Commissioner Dannhauser was appointed by Mayor Eric Adams in 2022 to help lead a more upstream approach to supporting New York families.
This year, as part of our Freedom Awards Benefit, we are proud to honor Saint Ignatius School (SIS) for their remarkable work and engagement in the anti-trafficking field. Please take a moment to read about the school.
Children are being sexually exploited and abused online at alarming rates. The U.S. hosts more child sexual abuse content online than any other country in the world. It is our responsibility as a nation to do what we can to end this heinous crime and #ProtectKidsOnline.
Traffickers often use travel infrastructure such as hotels and airlines to transport and exploit their victims. It is therefore crucial for travel professionals like you to know the signs of trafficking to be able to disrupt this criminal activity.
Today, PACT is launching a new research-based behavioral change campaign aimed at disrupting child sex trafficking at the intersection of public transportation by educating public transportation riders and employees on how to identify the signs of child sex trafficking and safely report.
From its very beginning, the United Nations has designated UN World Days to shed light on and mark particular events and topics, raising awareness and inviting action. In November there are two UN World Days specifically focusing on children. Do you know which ones?
The PACT Survivors' Council has sent a compelling letter to Members of the House Judiciary, urging them to stand with survivors and oppose H.R. 2601, the National Human Trafficking Hotline Enhancement Act. Read the letter here.
Join us for a series of engaging panel discussions and explorations into critical child protection issues within travel and tourism – including the phenomena of voluntourism. Your participation will contribute to a global conversation on enhancing safety, regulations at the intersection of children's rights, sustainable development, and corporate responsibility.
PACT is proud to support ChildFund #TakeItDown global campaign. This campaign has emerged as a crucial initiative in the eradication of child sexual abuse material from the digital sphere.
Join PACT Survivors’ Council Member Cristián Eduardo and Director of Public Policy Alexander Delgado, along with representatives from RESTORE, CATW, NOW-NYC, Sanctuary for Families, and World Without Exploitation for a Press Conference on August 8th, 2023. They will share their insights and interventions on the adverse effects of NYC’s de-facto full decriminalization.
Every year, on July 30th, the United Nations observes World Day Against Trafficking in Persons. This global campaign aims to raise awareness about the alarming developments and trends in human trafficking. Join us in spreading the word by downloading our social media pack! Together, let’s work towards a world where no one is left behind
ECPAT-USA will now be known as PACT, or Protect All Children from Trafficking. Alongside this new name, PACT unveils a vibrant and refreshed look that reflects our unwavering commitment to ending these heinous crimes against childhood. Discover PACT’s new look-and-feel by watching our short animated video!
We extend our heartfelt appreciation to each and every one of you who joined us on June 13, 2023, for the PACT annual Freedom Awards. Your unwavering commitment and dedication to our Pact in preventing child sexual exploitation and trafficking are truly inspiring.
For 30 years, ECPAT-USA has been at the forefront of the fight against child sexual abuse and exploitation. To that end, the organization has been contributing to a new piece of legislation, the "Strengthening Transparency and Obligations to Protect Children Suffering from Abuse and Mistreatment" (STOP CSAM) Act of 2023”, which aims to strengthen the protection of child victims of sexual abuse and imposes greater accountability and transparency requirements on large technology companies.
Bobbie Rubin is celebrated as a primary initiator of the movement to protect children from sexual exploitation in the United States. A longtime activist in Presbyterian Women USA and in Girl Scouts USA, she became an early supporter of ECPAT-USA, playing a crucial role in the organization’s development.
James Dold is the Founder & CEO of Human Rights for Kids (HRFK) a D.C.-based non-profit organization dedicated to promoting and protecting the human rights of children in the United States. A central focus of HRFK’s work is advocating in state legislatures and courts for comprehensive justice reform for children consistent with the U.N. Convention on the Rights of the Child and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.
Councilwoman Mariann Billie made history when she became the first female Council Representative for the Big Cypress Indian reservation. She is a member of the Seminole Tribe of Florida and a proud mother of two children.
Osceola was elected Chairman of the Seminole Tribe in 2016 and re-elected to a full four-year term in May of 2019. He is the seventh elected Chairman since the Tribe adopted its constitution in 1957.
ECPAT-USA commends Congress and President Biden for passing and signing into law the reauthorization of The Trafficking Victims Protection Act (TVPA). TVPA funds critical programs that support survivors of human trafficking and provides the legal framework for the U.S. to combat, monitor, and prosecute human trafficking.
ECPAT-USA applauds President Biden for signing the Eliminating Civil Statutes of Limitations for Child Sex Abuse Victims Act of 2022, S.3103 into law. Introduced by Senators Richard Durbin (D-IL) and Marsha Blackburn (R-TN), this critical piece of legislation eliminates civil statutes of limitations for sexual abuse offenses.
Children across the United States continue to face harm from online grooming for sexual exploitation, and it is imperative to increase anti-trafficking efforts by equipping schools with the necessary resources to protect children. Education about exploitation, recruitment, grooming, and consent must be taught at every level in age-appropriate and culturally sensitive ways that ensure inclusivity and understanding. ECPAT-USA urges the implementation of a state-wide human trafficking prevention curriculum within schools for students, educators, and school personnel.