Just Love Worldwide, a ministry of the Eastpoint Church, was formed in September 2017 to help victims of human trafficking.  Nancy Gallinaro Water Resources Manager for the City of Portland and founder of Just Love was inspired to create this organization after working in a safe house with minors who had been trafficked for sex in south Florida. The organization is run entirely by volunteers.
 
 
The United Nations defines human trafficking as the recruitment, transportation, transfer, harboring, or receipt of persons by improper means (such as force, abduction, fraud, or coercion) for an improper purpose including forced labor or sexual exploitation. Globally, human trafficking is believed to generate $32B annually. The most vulnerable are boys and girls ages 12-18 and 12-14 is the average age for girls trafficked into prostitution in the US. Risk factors include poverty, drug abuse, homelessness, being in foster care, and being a runaway. In Maine, there are 1000 runaways every year.  The age range of the women Just Love works with right now is 19-27.
 
Signs that may indicate a person is being trafficked:
  • Always with someone – they never go anywhere alone
  • Work excessive hours
  • Not allowed to take breaks
  • Lots of cars coming and going from a residence
  • Windows boarded up on the outside
  • Older boyfriend
  • Tattoos like bar codes or “daddy”
  • Malnourished
If you suspect a problem, call the Human Trafficking Hot Line 1-888-373-7888
 
Just Love provides clothing for women and children, gift cards and phone cards. They provide a variety of full sized toiletry items and household items via a free “boutique” where the women can shop at no charge.  They may help pay car insurance or assist with rent to bridge a gap in income as women work to move on with their lives. They also offer a supportive community. They are currently awaiting 501c3 approval.   If you would like to help or become a corporate sponsor, you can contact Nancy at just.love@eastpoint.church
 
There will be showing of the human trafficking documentary “In Plain Sight” on Thursday May 24 at 7PM in the Westbrook Performing Arts Center (http://www.inplainsightfilm.com/#sthash.NdTltHqP.dpbs ). This documentary is being presented in partnership with Westbrook Police Dept and will be followed by a panel discussion.