Fighting Human Trafficking

Mayor Marty Walsh and his office, Attorney General Maura Healey, the Boston Police and the Archdiocese of Boston are working together to help victims of human trafficking in Boston, including increasing law enforcement and developing a safe haven for women who were victimized. 

POUA and Father James Flavin of the Archdiocese of Boston have been working together to secure a building to provide shelter for women in the area who are victims of human trafficking. On Monday May 4th, Deb O’Hara-Rusckowski, a member of the Committee to Stop Trafficking in Persons at the United Nations, introduced the GIFT Box, an open exhibit displaying the stories of victims of human trafficking and encouraging the public to take action to fight this crime. The GIFT Box was created by STOP THE TRAFFIK, the United Nations Global Initiative to Fight Human Trafficking and and the Committee to Stop Trafficking in Persons. The GIFT Box will be on display outside Faneuil Hall from May 4th to May 14th and is open to the public.

Photo Left to Right: Rabbi Jay Perlman of Temple Beth Shalom in Needham, Deputy Superintendent Gerard Bailey of Boston, Rev. Catie Scudera of First Parish in Needham, Special Agent Bruce Foucart in charge of New England Homeland Security, Director of Women's Advancement Megan Costello for the Mayor’s Office, Attorney General Maura Healey, Director of Public Safety Initiatives Daniel Mulhern for the Mayor’s Office, Father James Flavin of the Archdiocese of Boston, Lisa Alberghini of the Planning Office for Urban Affairs and Deb O'Hara-Rusckowski of The Committee to Stop Trafficking in Persons (CSTIP) at the United Nations and Boston/New England GIFT Box Coordinator.