Every Arizonan should live in a safe community and in a safe home. Arizona’s rates of domestic violence, trafficking, child abuse and neglect, however, evidence that is not the case for an alarming number of Arizonans. As your State Senator, I will advocate for prevention measures to protect our community from these crimes and to support the victims.
Protection from Domestic Violence & Abuse
Every 44 seconds in Arizona, one or more children witness a domestic violence incident. Domestic Violence is a problem that affects all Arizonans regardless of our gender, race, culture or socioeconomic level. It occurs more frequently than we discuss with approximately 1 in 4 women and 1 in 7 men facing it in their lifetime. With these staggering statistics it is imperative that legislative efforts are made to strengthen the protection of victims and survivors and to focus on prevention and awareness in our community.
If you or someone you know is in trouble please seek help and plan a safe escape.
Prevention of Trafficking of Women & Children
As a border state, Arizona plays a vital role in combatting the trafficking of women and children. Human trafficking is modern-day slavery exploiting the most vulnerable. Efforts to combat this heinous crime must be made at the legislative, administrative and enforcement levels. Governor Brewer has compiled a task force to review Arizona’s strengths and weaknesses in these areas. However, reviewing what needs exist and recommending further action is only the first step. Arizona must also have legislators willing to make the changes necessary to reduce human trafficking in Arizona and to assist the victims.
Child Protective Services
The economic downturn caused an alarming spike in child abuse and neglect cases in Arizona. Yet, during this same time Child Protective Services’ resources were slashed and the result became the thousands of cases that went uninvestigated. As the daughter of a social worker, I have been exposed to the true need for these critical social services since I was a child. This scandal was unacceptable.
The fundamental purpose of Child Protective Services is to protect Arizona’s most vulnerable citizens, our children. Arizona’s children cannot have a brighter future if they are not brought out of the darkness of abuse and neglect. Arizona’s children deserve better!
As your State Senator, I will work hard each and every day to protect and serve Arizona families, especially our most vulnerable citizens.
Helpful Links
My Sister’s Place - Chandler - (602) 821-1024
De Colores (For Spanish speakers) – Phoenix - (602) 269-1515
National Domestic Violence Hotline - (800) 799-SAFE
Sojourner Center, Emergency Shelter - Phoenix
http://www.sojournercenter.org/
Arizona Coalition Against Domestic Violence
http://www.azcadv.org/
The Arizona League to End Regional Trafficking (ALERT)
http://www.traffickingaz.org/
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Refugee Resettlement,
Anti-Trafficking in Persons
http://www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/orr/programs/anti-trafficking
DIGNITY Program
DIGNITY House offers sex trafficked women an intensive year-long recovery program that includes emotional support, counseling, addiction recovery, education, life-skills building and job placement assistance to help them live an independent life free of prostitution.
https://www.catholiccharitiesaz.org/residential-program-dignity-house/00001a
National Human Trafficking Resource Center, a program of the Polaris Project
http://nhtrc.polarisproject.org/
McCain Institute for International Leadership
http://mccaininstitute.org/
Arizona Department of Economic Security
https://www.azdes.gov/child_protective_services/
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