CCR Column: Sexual Assault Center Introduces New Victim Advocate

by the Sexual Assault Center of Door County Family Services

Please join us in welcoming Jamie Craig, the new program coordinator/victim advocate for the Door County Sexual Assault Center, to the beautiful and rural Wisconsin peninsula.

Craig is a graduate of University of Wisconsin – La Crosse who has a diverse background in Spanish and international relations, which led her to join the La Crosse Task Force to End Modern Slavery (TFEMS). As an active member of TFEMS, she was involved in events, meetings, and public speaking opportunities to educate the community about human trafficking. She is passionate about the fight against human trafficking, and as a result, she sought a career with Family Services of Northeast Wisconsin’s Sexual Assault Center (SAC).

Craig joined Family Services in December 2017 and is optimistic to begin offering services in Door County for victims of sexual assault. Services offered in Door County include medical advocacy, legal advocacy, crisis counseling, individual follow-up, and community education/prevention. For more information about Door County SAC’s services or help for a victim of sexual assault, contact Craig at 920.746.8996.

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Sex trafficking is a form of sexual assault, and as a result of being trafficked, victims of sex trafficking can experience multiple assaults in one day. January is Human Trafficking Awareness Month, and Family Services SAC is eager to spread awareness through a public advertising campaign.

Blue is the color of Human Trafficking Awareness, so many people support victims by wearing blue or dying a streak of hair blue during the month to create conversations about sex trafficking. According to the National Human Trafficking Hotline, sex trafficking is recruiting, harboring, transporting, providing, obtaining, patronizing or soliciting an individual to perform commercial sex through the use of force, fraud or coercion. Minors engaging in commercial sex are considered victims of human trafficking, regardless of the use of force, fraud or coercion.

Trafficked victims are found all over the world, as well as small communities in Door County. How can people “crack down” on trafficking in their local communities?

1. Talk with friends and family about human trafficking.
2. Volunteer with Family Services Sexual Assault Center to provide support to sexual assault victims; advocacy training is provided. Contact the SAC Volunteer Coordinator Chelsey at 920.436.8899.
3. Donate to local and national anti-trafficking efforts.
4. Learn the signs and indicators for trafficked victims, and report suspicions and/or tips to the National Human Trafficking Hotline (888.373.7888). Trafficking victims, including undocumented individuals, are eligible for services and immigration assistance.
5. Discover slaveryfootprint.org to become a conscientious and informed consumer.

This article is brought to you in part by the Door County Coordinated Community Response (CCR) to Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Teams and the Door County Elder and Adult-at-Risk Interdisciplinary Team.