As you may know, January is the month where we focus on International Human Trafficking Awareness, and January 11th is selected for International Human Trafficking Awareness Day. Senator Cris Dush works with many international and state renown organizations that have been fighting Human Trafficking for years. His recently enacted legislation, Pennsylvania Act 39, depicts his desire to improve victim support and provide the legislation necessary for law enforcement and social services to better assist those who have been trafficked. Furthermore, Senator Dush’s background in law enforcement has allowed him to effectively fight those who are responsible for trafficking innocent children throughout the years. Act 39, signed into law by Governor Shapiro in December 2023, allows victims to now receive social services without having to identify (for whatever reason) their traffickers, protecting victims and helping them to receive assistance and move away from this deadly environment.
In recognition of this important month, Senator Dush will be presenting short synopses of interviews he recently completed with not only victims of Human Trafficking, but also benchmark organizations that are currently fighting Human Trafficking in Pennsylvania and around the world.
Below is his schedule of interviews for January 2024:
Today, Senator Dush will be interviewing:
Elizabeth Stein
Survivor Mentor / Child Policy Associate
Support Center for Child Advocates
Serves as Survivor Mentor and Child Policy Associate for Project PROTECT at Support Center for Child Advocates in Philadelphia, PA. Liz is a survivor, writer, educator and advocate. Using her expertise and lived experience of human trafficking, she works with youth to provide mentorship services and support to SCCA’s Youth Survivor Advisory Board members and adolescent clients. In her role as Child Policy Associate, Liz fosters relationships with community partners to provide education and promote understanding about the experience of Human Trafficking, so they can adapt policies and create safe environments that prioritize the well being and unique needs of survivors. Through ongoing collaboration, these partners become better equipped to provide appropriate support to survivors of Human Trafficking. Liz has previously worked with adult women living with complex trauma, co-occurring mental health and substance use disorders. She uses a trauma-informed and survivor-centered approach to offer support to those currently experiencing trauma related to the experience of Human Trafficking.
Link to Support Center for Child Advocates website:
For more information, the complete interviews can be viewed here.