May 13, 2010

Dear Service Providers ~

As you may know, the mission of Seattle Against Slavery (SAS) is to foster collaboration in the fight against human trafficking through community awareness, mobilization, advocacy, and capacity building. As an organization still very much in its infancy, we are seeking to clearly establish our role within the existing anti-trafficking community. It is our desire to become a part of the current anti-trafficking movement, developing mutually beneficial partnerships in order to see the end of human trafficking. We do not consider ourselves in competition with established organizations, but instead want to come alongside to support those who have begun this important work.

SAS is convinced that an effective network of partners is necessary to stop human trafficking, and it is for this reason that we are involved in multiple projects connected to many different sectors, from victim/survivor care to law enforcement education to legislative advocacy. Naturally, we are dependent upon our Community Board of Advisors and our partner organizations to ensure that we move forward with wisdom in each project take on. We are confident that our staff, volunteers, and supporters are fully capable of carrying out these projects with excellence, largely because of our wide-reaching relationships within the anti-trafficking community.

We want to make it clear that SAS will not provide direct services to individuals who have been trafficked. In the event that an individual should contact SAS directly asking for help, we will immediately connect them with the appropriate service provider organizations in our area. However, in addition to targeted fundraising initiatives such as our Seattle Cares Project, SAS is committed to building capacity for service provider organizations by:
 
- Creating public awareness campaigns that not only educate people about the realities of human trafficking, but also increase public support of service provider organizations
- Connecting individuals who need training with workshops taught by experienced service providers, in order to increase the number of qualified, committed caregivers
- Commissioning research on effective programs serving trafficked individuals, specifically those living in the greater Seattle area, and making that research available to service providers across the nation

As a therapist having worked with women trafficked for labor and/or commercial sexual exploitation in the Philippines over the last 9 months, I have seen the importance of establishing solid programs that meet the needs of individuals who have been trafficked, and the significance of public support for such programs in maintaining sustainability. In the United States, just as is the case overseas, service providers are facing an incredible learning curve in understanding the unique needs of individuals victimized by trafficking. I am hopeful that the capacity building SAS offers will enable service providers to continue to offer the highest level of care to trafficked individuals. If you have questions, concerns, or suggestions, please do not hesitate to contact me directly.  I am eager to learn from the experience of others in order to help guide the direction of SAS, and I look forward to future collaboration in the fight against human trafficking.

Sincerely,

Lacie Morrison, MACP
Service Providers Community Director
on behalf of the Seattle Against Slavery Board of Directors
lacie@seattleagainstslavery.org | 206.915.0790