The main focus of EMPOWER PEOPLE lies on awareness raising and sensitization trainings for law enforcement agencies. The organization is also offering direct victim support and assistance to women vulnerable to human trafficking and domestic violence.Friday, Sharon Rikard partnered with area businesses and Faith Assembly of God in Summerville to host an auction to raise money for a shelter.
Rikard said she first heard about sex trafficking through her church. After months of planning, she’s ready to open a shelter for women rescued from the sex trade rings. Rikard said she’s working with area organizations to finalize a training and education program for her non-profit organization Open Doors International.
“Right now we need a home for the girls that can come and be set free, empowered and transformed,” she explained. .
The silent auction begins at 6:00. The live auction begins at 7:30. Faith Assembly of God is the host of the auction.
Sharon hopes to raise $10,000 for the shelter.
Here in the Lowcountry, according to police, a young woman was rescued from a home in North Charleston where she was held against her will and forced to work as a prostitute.
According to the FBI, recent problems stretch from Atlanta to the West Coast. In Georgia, this month a judge sentenced a man to 20 years in prison for trafficking minors. On July 29, five family members in Sacramento were charged with sex trafficking minors. The same day in Maryland, a man pleaded guilty to selling a 16-year-old girl
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Posted in: News,Rescue,sex slave,The Report
