In partnership with local organizations working against modern-day slavery and human trafficking, The Rescue & Restore Victims of Human Trafficking Coalition will co-sponsor the second annual Sacramento March Against Slavery, hosted by Chab Dai USA, from 8 a.m. - 1 p.m. on Aug. 28 in Cesar Chavez Park.

The fundraising walk is held to spread awareness about human trafficking and modern-day slavery in the Sacramento region and around the world.

Chab Dai, meaning “joining hands” in Khmer, is a coalition of Christian organizations working to end human trafficking both locally and overseas. The organization started in Cambodia in 2005 and was brought to the United States in 2008. It works toward coalition building, raising awareness and advocacy among U.S.-based anti-trafficking organizations.

Chab Dai is a member of the Sacramento Rescue and Restore Coalition.

“Chab Dai is a key member of our coalition and program partner,” Manager of the Rescue & Restore Victims of Human Trafficking Program at SETA Mary Jennings said. “We have worked with Chab Dai for more than two years through the coalition. We have been supportive of the march since Chab Dai Proposed it several months ago.”

Funds from the walk will be distributed to Chab Dai USA as well as other local organizations working against human trafficking.

Funding recipients are: Chab Dai USA, My Sister’s House, Opening Doors, Survivors Connect, Community Against Sexual Harm, Courage to be You and Wind Youth Services

Human trafficking is a modern-day form of slavery. Victims are subjected to sexual exploitation and forced labor.

“They are right here among us in Sacramento, in plain sight,” said Nilda Valmores, executive director of My Sister’s House, a shelter for Asian and Pacific Islander women escaping domestic violence.

“The largest group being trafficked are Asian women,” Valmores said. “Our mission is to serve the women with culturally appropriate services.”

California is among the top destinations for traffickers and forced labor in the United States. More than 500 victims from 18 countries were identified in California between 1998 and 2003, and many more are never discovered, according to stopslavery.net.

“Many people are unaware that human trafficking even happens in the Sacramento region,” Jennings said. “However, cases have been identified involving all forms of human trafficking-sex trafficking (child and adult), labor trafficking (including involuntary domestic servitude, debt bondage, child labor) and involving U.S. citizens and foreign nationals. It is not something that only happens in other countries or large U.S. cities.”

In 2009, Chab Dai USA hosted the Sacramento Walk to Stop Child Trafficking Now.

“Last year we had 300 participants in the March and raised about $8,000,” Chab Dai USA Director & Vice President Tania DoCarmo said. “Registration for this year is still low, but we anticipate registration will grow in the next couple of weeks as last year we had the majority of participants register on the day of the event.”

“There are two main objects for this event. The first is awareness building,” Chab Dai USA event coordinator Jeremy Maz said. “There are a lot of people we feel don’t fully comprehend what trafficking is and what it looks like when it’s in our own backyard. With the representation of the different organizations that are going to be there we make people aware not only what trafficking looks like, but also how they can get involved with the anti-trafficking movement.”

“The second objective is fundraising for the local organizations here including Chab Dai USA,” Maz said.

Event Details:
Saturday, Aug. 28, 2010 8 a.m.-1 p.m.
Cesar Chavez Park
10th St and J St
Sacramento, CA 95814

Registration: https://chabdai.webconnex.com/sacmarchagainstslavery

Pictures courtesy of Chab Dai USA