June 2019
JCAST June Blog:
JCAST Chicago Fueling the #MeToo Movement

Last month, the Jewish Community Against Sex Trafficking (JCAST) Chicago hosted Beyond R. Kelly: Surviving the Predators in our Community in partnership with the Dreamcatcher Foundation, Chicago Alliance Against Sexual Exploitation (CAASE), and others. This interfaith, intercommunity dialogue explored what makes young women and often their parents susceptible to individuals like R. Kelly and Harvey Weinstein and empowered survivors to tell their stories. The youngest speaker was a high school student who thought she was getting her chance to act. Instead her rape was videotaped and later shared with fellow students and many others. The video led to bullying and forced her to relive this crime over and over again. Thankfully, she was connected to the Dreamcatcher Foundation, a survivor led organization, who is providing her with support and services. 

Building awareness and empowering survivors is an important part of JCAST Chicago’s mission. Through partnerships, we work to end all forms of sexual violence throughout Chicago. Our activities are particularly important as R. Kelly’s trial for a fraction of the 48 young women he has violated over the last twenty years begins. 

Donate to JCAST Chicago today and consider volunteering to support survivors, educating men on how their purchase of sex leads to sex trafficking, and raising resources for critical direct services and housing for survivors.  Visit our website or send your generous donation to JCAST Chicago, C/O NCJWCNS, 5 Revere Dr. Ste. 200 Northbrook, IL 60062.
JCAST in the News!


In May, JCAST Chicago collaborated with Links, an African American women's service organization to welcome author and activist Pamela Samules Young.

The event was highlighted as part of a feature on sex trafficking by Karen Jordan on the Chicago ABC affiliate and on FacebookLive with Fox journalist, Anita Padilla.

Know journalist that are interested in what is happening in the Chicago area? Prevent sex trafficking by sharing these stories with them. Contact JCAST staff for more information.
Spotlight: Sex Trafficking in America

On May 28th, PBS Frontline premiered Sex Trafficking in America . To create this documentary, the film crew followed a Phoenix Police Unit for two and a half years. They reported how a young woman was abducted from her suburban home and sex trafficked in Phoenix. They also showed how resource intensive it is for police to set up reverse stings to catch men purchasing sex, often from minors. The featured police officers discussed how the demand for sex drives sex trafficking, the connection between pornography and sex trafficking, and how pimps prey on young women who are the most vulnerable. View, share, and consider hosting a JCAST speaker as part of a viewing event to build awareness and end sex trafficking in Chicago.
Steering Committee
JCAST Chicago is led by a Steering Committee of dedicated volunteers. To learn more and get involved. Email Gayle

Steering Committee Co-Chairs:
Donna Fishman
Susan Rifas

Steering Committee:
Ronna Ash, Hadassah
Susan Block, Hadassah
Cathy Carmody
Tracy Medansky
Sherry Petlin
Anita Pildes
Bonnie Ribet
Heather Ross
Stacy Saef
Joan Zahnle
Diane Zidman

Staff:
Gayle Nelson, 
Engagement and Development Director
Ensure there is a Chicago Jewish voice against sex trafficking. Support our unique events and innovative partnerships. Make your gift on our secure website today!
JCAST Chicago on the Move
JCAST Chicago has been busy giving presentations across the Chicago Metropolitan area, for Jewish and secular groups. Recently, JCAST leaders spoke at a:
  • Hadaasah meeting
  • 3 local Rotary meetings
  • Northshore Senior Center discussion

Please help JCAST Chicago secure speaking "gigs" at Jewish and secular organizations. Contact Donna at  info@jcastchicago.org  with names and contacts at synagogues, chavurot, and other organizations. 
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Take Action!

Here are some things you can do today to take action against Sex Trafficking: 

Visit our website  to keep up-todate with the issues most relevant to you.  Sign up  for JCAST Chicago, NCJW or Sex Trafficking Action Alerts today! 

* Send a Letter
Send a letter calling on local leaders and law enforcement to enforce laws and end demand.  Visit our website  to print out instructions and samples.

* Hang a Flyer
Victims may visit bus stations, grocery stores, currency exchanges, and gas stations. Hang a poster featuring the hotline for the National Human Trafficking Resource Center. and help them escape to safety!  Visit our website  for more information and to print flyers.

* Write a Letter to the Editor
Write a letter to the editor when you learn publicly about arrests of perpetrators of sex trafficking. Commending the media, the police departments involved, and local authorities keeps sex trafficking in the news and encourages more enforcement.  Visit our website for a sample letter to the editor.
Resources

Books:
  • Sex Trafficking: Inside the Business of Modern Slavery, Siddharth Kara
  • Girls Like Us: Fighting for a World where Girls are not for Sale, Rachel Lloyd
  • The Johns: Sex for Sale and the Men Who Buy it, Victor Malarek 
  • The Natashas: Inside the Global Sex Trade, Victor Malarek
  • Women Hold up Half the Sky: Turing Oppression into Opportunity for Women Worldwide, Sheryl Wudunn and Nicholas Kristof

Podcasts:
IN PLAIN SIGHT Podcast to End Human Trafficking Each week, the IN PLAIN SIGHT Podcast features a an inspiring speaker who may educate you in your work to end human trafficking around the globe.  Click here  for a link to the website.

Websites:
Jewish Community Against Sex Trafficking (JCAST) Chicago
847-853-8889 * Website * Contact