Because Casa Alianza has changed its methodology since the Shine a light visit in October of 2000, we suggest that the reader directly consult the Casa Alianza website, www.casa-alianza.org, for details on this large and important program. Issues generally addressed in these essays are found at the bottom of the Casa Alianza webpage.
In August, 2008, Covnant House (the US branch of Casa Alianza) sent us the following press release:
Covenant House Publishes New Tool In the Fight Against Human Trafficking
The Human Trafficking Resource Disc, compiled by Covenant House, is now available free of charge to organizations and individuals fighting this modern day form of slavery.
It is estimated that anywhere from 700,000 to 4 million individuals, primarily women and children, are trafficked within or across national borders annually. At least 20,000 are trafficked into the United States each year.
With contributions from more than 30 agencies, organizations & individuals, Covenant House compiled the Human Trafficking Resource Disc as a new tool in the fight against trafficking.
"It is incredible that in the 21st century, this degrading institution of slavery continues throughout the world," says Sister Patricia A. Cruise, President of Covenant House.
"Every day, children are being abused. It will only stop when good people and good organizations who care about kids do something," says Sister Tricia. "The collaboration that took place to make this new resource possible is a great step forward as we fight for the lives of our kids."
Areas covered by the disc's contents include: Overview presentations and materials; identification of trafficking victims; case studies and examples; legislation on human trafficking; providing legal aid to trafficking victims; working with law enforcement and in the community to combat trafficking; academic resources; trafficking resources prepared by the United Nations Office On Drugs and Crime; and resources in Spanish.
"One of our primary goals was to provide information to those organizations and individuals that don't have access to a large quantity of resources," says Nathan Byrd, Covenant House Director of Strategic Projects and head of the Resource Disc Initiative. "That's why the disc is available free of charge. Our hope is that this information can save organizations time and money and encourage more collaboration, which is the lifeblood of any human trafficking initiative."
For more information regarding the Human Trafficking Resource Disc compiled by Covenant House, or to request copies, please contact Nathan Byrd via email at NByrd@covenanthouse.org
A report on Casa Alianza activities and mission is also available for download here.
