Below is a press release from the Middlesex District Attorney’s Office:
WOBURN, MA — Middlesex District Attorney Marian Ryan and the Middlesex Children’s Advocacy Center have announced a new public awareness campaign. It will run through January, which is National Human Trafficking Prevention Month.
“We are constantly developing innovative ways to raise awareness and educate the public about preventing human trafficking. Sadly, the average age of entry into the commercial sex industry is between 12 and 15 years old for girls and between 11 and 13 for boys. Our Office is committed to protecting all children from harm, and our most successful efforts are happen when the community is engaged and united in safeguarding our young people. We hope that these billboards will be seen by thousands of drivers, that they will spark conversations and help to protect our children,” said District Attorney Ryan.
From January 5 to February 1, on Interstate 95 North in Woburn drivers will see billboards reminding them that children are “not for sale.” It will also directs viewers to information regarding warning signs, key indicators and available resources.
The campaign also highlights the Office’s free online training for youth entitled “Cyber-Education: The Dangers of Sexting, the Law and Resources for Teenagers and Young Adults.” The training focuses on changes in Massachusetts law, including the passage of juvenile sexting and revenge pornography laws. It aims to teach users about the potential consequences of such behaviors, the dangers of sexting, steps to protect themselves online and available resources. Participants are encouraged to share the information they learn with their friends. Parents are urged to speak openly with their teens about these dangers and the potential long-term consequences of sexting. The training is free and can be accessed here: https://cyber-ed.middlesexcac.org/.
The awareness campaign and the Cyber Education Program are funded by a grant from the Massachusetts Children’s Alliance.
About the Middlesex Children’s Advocacy Center (CAC)
The CAC is a comprehensive, culturally competent and multidisciplinary team that responds to allegations of child abuse and exploitation in a dedicated and child-friendly setting. Members of the Child Protection Unit, law enforcement, prosecutors, victim witness advocates, medical and mental health teams work collaboratively to provide child victims with services and resources to meet their needs. The CAC is dedicated to minimizing secondary trauma to victims by streamlining the handling of child sexual abuse, serious child physical abuse, and child exploitation cases. The CAC also offers resources for mandated reporters, including the online 51A Mandated Reporter Online Training.
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