Portland Mayor Sam Adams sent out a press release today announcing additional funding to fight human trafficking. In the release he praised politicians - Portland City Commissioner Dan Saltzman and Multnomah County Commissioner Diane McKeel - for their work on this important moral issue (both have been great advocates).
Mayor Adams also lifted up the leadership of Oregonians Against Human Trafficking for their critical leadership.
The mayor forgot, however, to thank religious leaders - particularly evangelical Christians and Roman Catholics - who have helped to put this issue on the radar screen in Portland.
Here's the good news from the mayor's office:
Last week, the Portland City Council approved an emergency resolution to immediately provide $285,000 to a.) fund dedicated shelter beds to provide a safe haven for juvenile victims of human trafficking in Portland and b.) fund positions for two additional Sexual Abuse Resource Center (SARC) victim advocates.Recent law enforcement operations and national media have pointed to Portland as one of several hubs for juvenile human trafficking. It is time for us to take a stand. City and Multnomah County officials are engaged in partnership with the faith community to provide substantial funding for additional shelter beds and long-term treatment. Additionally, the Portland Police Bureau has doubled the size of its human trafficking detail and the City of Portland has designated additional legislation to combat juvenile human trafficking as one of its state legislative priorities.
Catholic Charities of Portland, My Mother's House at Downtown Chapel, Mosiac, and the Oregon Center for Christian Values have all been influential in addressing what is nothing less than a growing slave trade in Portland. Without their advocacy - and the advocacy of others in Portland's faith community - this issue would never have received the attention that is so desperately needed.
These faith groups have been more than partners. They have been leaders.
