LEWISTON — January is Human Trafficking Awareness Month, and Safe Voices plans to hold a vigil Monday, Jan. 29, to honor those who have experienced domestic abuse and violence.
The vigil is held annually to honor those who have lost their lives or freedom to human trafficking, offer support to those still experiencing this exploitation, and support those who have survived.
The candlelit vigil will start at 2 p.m. and will be held in Dufresne Plaza at 72 Lisbon St. It will include speakers, a remembrance ceremony, and all are invited to attend and show their support, according to a news release from Emily Mitchell with Safe Voices.
While many residents don’t know that human trafficking is present in Maine, law enforcement encounter 300-400 cases annually of sex trafficking, which is a form of human trafficking. Domestic abuse and sex trafficking are community issues, representing danger not just to those who live through abuse and exploitation, but to the community at large. Safe Voices invites friends and neighbors to join together to show that the effort to end human sex trafficking must also be a community one.
Those experiencing or impacted by domestic abuse and needing to reach out should call the agency’s 24-hour helpline at 800-559-2927.
For more information, contact 207-795-6744 or [email protected].