by Erica Miller
The Salvation Army’s STOP-IT program in the North & Central Illinois Division was recognized for its anti-trafficking efforts by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) at its annual Director’s Community Leadership Awards Ceremony in Washington, D.C. The award honors individuals and organizations for their extraordinary efforts in combating crime and violence and in strengthening communities across America.
“Our success as both a law enforcement and an intelligence agency hinges on our ability to foster and maintain genuine partnerships with people in all communities,” FBI Director Christopher Wray told the honorees. “People like this year’s Leadership Award recipients not only identify what others need, but they are willing to roll up their sleeves and pro2vide services. They are building bridges and relationships while putting in the work to have hard conversations and find common purpose. They do it out of kindness and compassion with a sincere belief that justice—in its many forms—requires all of us to do the right thing in the right way.”
STOP-IT is an anti-trafficking program in Chicago that works with survivors of both sex and labor trafficking regardless of age, sex and immigration status. It provides comprehensive, intensive case management to survivors in the northern half of Illinois (nine counties). As the local provider for the National Human Trafficking Hotline, it operates a 24/7 hotline.
The program’s case management focuses on meeting participants where they are physically and mentally to ensure they receive quality services. The program gives them a choice about if and how they want to engage with the criminal justice system. STOP-IT co-leads the Cook County Human Trafficking Task Force, collaborating with local and federal law enforcement partners and prosecutors’ offices to meet the needs of law enforcement and social services alike.
Recognized by the FBI Chicago Field Office, STOP-IT was awarded the Director’s Community Leadership award because the program works and aligns with the mission of the FBI: to protect the American people and ensure survivors have a chance for empowerment and choice. During the ceremony, award recipients had the opportunity to network and learn about the work that is being done in communities around the United States.
The International Day of Prayer for Victims of Human Trafficking is Sunday, September 22.