Holy Family hosting child trafficking awareness event

By LYNETTE SOWELL 

Cove Leader-Press 

The month of January is Human Trafficking Awareness Month, and one local church is bringing a program to Copperas Cove on Saturday, for the community to become more aware of the signs of human trafficking.

In 2016 alone, there were 8,042 cases of forced sexual exploitation were reported to the National Human Trafficking Hotline. 

According to Partners Against Child Trafficking (PACT), Texas researchers identified 79,000 youth and minor victims in the state alone. Teens – and younger – are being targeted for sex sale/abuse by the fasted growing criminal enterprise in America. 

PACT was founded by Rick Naylor in 2015, and the organization raises awareness by holding events such as internet safety and self-defense, along with awareness training to give churches, civic organizations, and businesses tools to use to combat child trafficking. PACT also offers the “S.T.O.P.” training course for students ages 13-18 to help them spot and stop trafficking where they see it, whether it be at “schools, pools, and anywhere in-between.” 

On Saturday, January 16, from 10 a.m. until noon, Dana Brown, from PACT will present awareness training at Holy Family Catholic Church in Copperas Cove. The event is free, and there will be attendance in person as well as live streaming via Zoom, at https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84223667652?pwd=cHZlTFovTmpuZDRyNkRxdjExQ3FEZz09, or by calling in via 1-346-248-7799, using the meeting ID 84223667652 and the passcode 415288.

This event is sponsored by the Killeen/Temple Deanery Pro-life Ministry Co-op Initiative. The church is located at 1001 Georgetown Rd. Social distancing will be in effect.

For more information about attending in person or via live stream, contact Bonnie Fitzpatrick at 208.249.2635.