New Website to Eliminate Human Trafficking in Effingham
57/70 Task Force educates, connects, and supports concerned citizens and survivors
A new website (5770TaskForce.org) educates and provides resources on human trafficking in Effingham County. Thanks to generous donors, this website was established to help Effingham residents identify, report, and ultimately eliminate human trafficking.
Visitors can find Survivor Stories, online & local training videos, and discussions & roundtables, as well as a link to make donations. The 5770 Task Force’s focus is on local education opportunities for concerned citizens and local support agencies for survivors.
A group of concerned citizens in the Effingham area established the 57/70 Task Force with goal to draw attention to and eliminate such horrific predatory acts. Human trafficking exists in this local area (according to survivors & their firsthand experiences), as well as other communities like Effingham. Area residents play an integral part to spotting and reporting victims of human trafficking. 57/70 Task Force has been actively working with local agencies to pursue its mission, including SAFE (Stop Abuse for Everyone), Eden’s Glory, SWAN (Stopping Woman Abuse Now), Effingham City and County Police Departments, Effingham Social Justice Group, and CASA (Court-Appointed Special Advocate).
Human trafficking involves the use of force, fraud, or coercion to obtain some type of labor or commercial sex act. Every year, millions of men, women, and children are trafficked worldwide. It can happen in any community and victims can be any age, race, gender, or nationality. Traffickers might use violence, manipulation, or false promises of well-paying jobs or romantic relationships to lure victims into trafficking situations. Language barriers, fear of their traffickers, and/or fear of law enforcement frequently keep victims from seeking help, making human trafficking a hidden crime. The National Human Trafficking Hotline is (888) 373-7888.
Anyone wishing to donate to this worthy cause may visit the new website at 5770TaskForce.org. For more information, contact the Effingham County Chamber at (217) 342-4147.
About the 57/70 Task Force
The 57/70 Task Force, established in 2020, is a task force of the Chamber Foundation of Effingham County. The task force’s mission is to educate the community for purpose of spotting, reporting and ultimately eliminating human trafficking in Effingham County, one person at a time. For more information, visit www.5770taskforce.org, or email 5770taskforce@effinghamcountychamber.com.