The Center for Prevention of Abuse Kicks Off 2023 Focusing on Human Trafficking in Central Illinois

 

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 5, 2023

 

The Center for Prevention of Abuse Kicks Off 2023

Focusing on Human Trafficking in Central Illinois 

Local nonprofit partners with area businesses to raise funds and

awareness of human trafficking in Greater Peoria Area

 

Peoria, Ill. – The Center for Prevention of Abuse (CFPA) is placing a spotlight on human trafficking as part of Human Trafficking Awareness Month during January. Two popular local businesses, CxT Roasting Company and Lost Art Design & Print are joining CFPA to help educate community members about forced labor and sex trafficking in Central Illinois.

CxT Roasting Company:

• During the month of January, all coffee and tea drinks at CxT Roasting Company locations will feature a custom coffee sleeve with interactive QR codes to educate customers on human trafficking and CFPA services. A portion of proceeds from drinks sold at CxT this month will go to CFPA to support its mission to help all people live free from violence and abuse.
• On Tuesday, January 17, CFPA will host a “CxT Meetup” at the Keller Station location to encourage supporters and friends of the agency to purchase a drink and learn more about human trafficking.

Lost Art Design & Print:

• A limited-edition t-shirt is on sale now in honor of Human Trafficking Awareness Month. The design features a gray shirt with a bright blue speech bubble and common words associated with human trafficking. The shirt is available all month long in coordination with Lost Art Design & Print and can be purchased at CFPA’s online merchandise store. A portion of proceeds goes to CFPA.

Light It Up Blue for Awareness:

• Starting January 6, CFPA is turning Peoria’s Murray Baker Bridge a brilliant blue to honor trafficking survivors and bring awareness to those who remain victimized by human trafficking. The bridge will be blue through January 8.

 “The injustice of human trafficking should concern every citizen in every community, including cities and towns throughout Central Illinois. Every person can take action against this crime by educating themselves, by visiting the Center for Prevention of Abuse website, by requesting the agency’s training on human trafficking, by speaking up and standing up against the degradation and abuse of all individuals,” said Carol Merna, Chief Executive Officer of the Center for Prevention of Abuse. “CFPA plays an important role in preventing human trafficking and protecting victims. It is a fundamental part of our agency’s vision for safe and peaceful communities. We are deeply grateful to CxT Roasting Company and Lost Art Design & Print who are helping bring awareness to a brutal human rights issue that we see embodied every day.”

CFPA has provided services for more than 120 survivors of human trafficking since opening its human trafficking services department in January 2018; nearly 90% of whom call downstate Illinois home. CFPA remains a leader in the fight against human trafficking as the first sanctioned, trained and federally granted provider for services and beds for all trafficking survivors south of Chicago. Nationally, January has been named Human Trafficking Prevention Month through a Presidential Proclamation. Read more about the proclamation here.

CxT Roasting Company is located at 6035 N Knoxville Ave Ste 101, Peoria, IL 61614 and 309B Main Street, Peoria, IL 61602.

To learn more about the Center for Prevention of Abuse and human trafficking, please visit www.centerforpreventionofabuse.org.

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MEDIA CONTACT:
Celsy Young
cyoung@centerforpreventionofabuse.org
Center for Prevention of Abuse / 309.691.0551                                                    

About the Center for Prevention of Abuse

The Center for Prevention of Abuse (CFPA) is the only agency authorized by the state of Illinois to provide a combination of domestic violence, sexual assault, sexual abuse, human trafficking, and adult protective services for survivors of abuse. Annually, CFPA serves nearly 6,000 people affected by violence and abuse. CFPA offers school-based abuse prevention programming to students pre-K through college age, reaching more than 38,000 young people each year. Through these activities, plus community presentations and trainings, CFPA lives out its mission to help all people live free from violence and abuse. For more information about CFPA, visit www.centerforpreventionofabuse.org or call 309-691-0551. The crisis line is available 24/7 1-800-559-SAFE (7233) and all victim services are free and confidential.