A benefit concert for A Future. Not a Past. (AFNAP)
and Street GRACE to continue current efforts to disable the demand for prostituted children. AFNAP’s mission is to protect and inspire hope in our girls, the true victims of this illicit practice, as well as to disable demand and prosecute the pimps and johns who make the prostitution of children a gruesome reality in Georgia. www.afuturenotapast.org 404-613-4555
Join us for Lobby Day, this Wednesday at at the State Capitol. This event is hosted in part by the Juvenile Justice Fund’s A Future. Not A Past.
Hear Atlanta’s most powerful voices take their stand against demand for child sex trade.
Lt. Governor Casey Cagle
Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed
Attorney General Sam Olens
Senator Renee Unterman
State Rep Ed Lindsey
See you at the Capitol on Wednesday at 8:00am
There is still time to register and we hope you’ll join us. We will gather at Central Presbyterian Church located directly across from the Capitol at 201 Washington Street SW, Atlanta, GA 30303 at 8AM. Please wear all black and you will get your purple scarf when you sign in at registration.
Special Presentation
This year, we are excited to have indie rock artist, Janie Chu, perform her single “Dear John” from her album, The Human Condition. Get more info and purchase your copy at www.janiechu.com today.
Don’t forget to register, it’s free and easy!
This is a fun and easy way to make a difference in the lives of exploited children. Invite a friend or make friends once you get there – our children are depending on it.
Our own Keisha Head and Jennifer Swain of JJF’s A Future. Not A Past. were featured on Channel 2 Action News to speak out against those purchasing sex from Georgia’s children.
See the Channel 2 article and interview below.
Group fights prostitution by putting focus on johns
Former teen prostitute speaks out
A woman who survived forced prostitution as a teenager tells Channel 2 Action News she thought she wouldn’t make it.
“I realized that — and this happened after many rapes and beatings from johns — I realized that if I continued I would eventually be killed,” Keisha Head told Channel 2′s Linda Stouffer.
Head said she ran away from local foster homes when she was 16 and trusted a man who soon used threats to force her to sell sex.
“These men who purchased me were normal, ordinary men, and I had no idea that they could turn into such violent monsters right before my eyes, and that was scary,” Head said.
Keisha Head, A Future. Not A Past.
Now Head works to help toughen laws though a local advocacy group called A Future, Not a Past.
Stouffer spoke with the group’s program director about their new focus for 2012: exposing the men who buy sex with underage girls.
Jennifer Swain wants to build community pressure against the buyers.
“What you’ve been able to do that has gone unnoticed will be noticed now,” Swain said.
A Future, Not a Past is rolling out a new message with billboards and a media campaign called “Take a Stand Against Demand.
The group credits the summer passage of Georgia HB 200 with increasing the penalties for sex trafficking involving teenagers.
Swain said the new tougher law is also helping change the focus from the teenagers, to the men who buy sexual services.
“We ask our community members to become outraged about this,” Swain said.
Head told Stouffer she helps counsel local girls on the edge.
“We have children as young as 13 being raped continually every night. This is wrong and we need to take a stand against it,” Head said.
Part two of our coverage of the National Adoption Day event finds reflections from judges, more images, and stories of hope, patience and love.
Father and daughter
Wandering through the event, I was struck by the energy of joy and anticipation in the kids and their parents.
You could almost feel them exhale because the day had finally arrived, but also notice their jitters in wanting to finally hold their certificate of adoption.
As Judge Phillip Jackson pointed out, the process of adoption can take anywhere from ” a couple of months to well over a year.”
The Juvenile Justice Fund works year round through the Family Visitation Program to make sure that children find a safe and loving home environment, whether that be with a child’s birth family or with an adoptive family.
Rep. John Lewis & Judge Jackson
It’s all about finding the place that’s right for the child.
Adoption is a big step for our court families and for their children, which is why the practice of making the final legal action of adoption a real celebration and milestone began 10 years ago with then Chief Judge Sanford “Sammy” Jones.
I found a mother and her son seated under a portrait of the late “Sammy” Jones.
Magic in his adoption day
She was wearing a big smile on her face, studying his portrait, and then she told me the story of her adoption which had taken several years.
She persevered, and today was finally the legal mother of “Magic,” a four year old boy in a wheelchair.
She said she’d been working on it since he was three months old, and because Magic had special needs, many had discouraged her from trying to adopt him.
Judge Jones, she explained, was different, and encouraged her. He cleared the way for her adoption to go ahead, making special arrangements for her and for Magic. Today her joy was palpable.
Thanks to over 100 volunteers ranging from court personnel, Juvenile Justice Fund members, Boy Scouts and Lions Club, National Adoption Day at the Fulton County Juvenile Court becomes a real standout day for families.
Boy Scouts carry gift basket
The festivities included a full hot meal, a personal message from U.S. Rep. John Lewis, himself an adoptive father, a cake party, customized gift baskets, special activities for the kids, and of course, the official adoption ceremony for each individual family in judges’ chambers.
Judge Phillip Jackson spoke with me about Adoption Day at the Courthouse.
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Martha Turner is the Communications Manager for the
Juvenile Justice Fund
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Today Jennifer Swain and Keisha Head appeared in an interview for Fox 5 News, gaining national coverage as they discussed child sex trafficking.
They are part of A Future.Not A Past, a campaign of the Juvenile Justice Fund, spearheading efforts to end child sex trade and strike a blow against the demand for prostituted children.
Today, Keisha Head is a wife and mother of three. But more than decade ago, she was the victim of a notorious human trafficker.
At 16-years old, Head says she was being sold on the streets of Atlanta for sex.
“I did not know that a normal, average man who was a preacher, who was a lawyer, who was a senator – could turn into this monster,” Head said. “That is the scariest moment when you are amongst people who claim to be normal yet they purchase you and they turn into these monsters. They rape you. They beat you. And then act as if they’re normal. These are not your normal pedophiles.”
Experts say, across the globe, millions of people are trafficked each year. Hundreds of thousands of the victims are women and girls. But what surprises many — is the rate it is happening in affluent neighborhoods where minors are being turned into sex slaves.
“The buyers aren’t just pedophiles. The buyers are normal community men, normal leaders, people that belong to someone,” said Jennifer Swain, state coordinator for A Future. Not A Past.
A Future. Not A Past., is a campaign organized by the Juvenile Justice Fund in Georgia. Swain and her peers, such as Keisha Head, work to educate and prevent exploited children.
The organization lobbied Georgia legislators to pass HB 200 last year. A victory for victim advocates, the bill imposes stricter punishments on offenders and improves the treatment of trafficking victims.
“We have to stop the men. This is a very lucrative business,” Swain said.
According to the Georgia Governor’s Office, more than 400 girls are sexually exploited every month in the state. On average, the girls begin having sex for money between the age of 12 and 14.
“Atlanta is one of 14 cities in the United States that are the highest in terms of child prostitution and sexual exploitation,” said Brian D Lamkin, Special Agent in Charge, FBI Atlanta Field Office. “It’s a major transportation hub — not just domestically but internationally.”
A Future. Not A Past is a campaign of the Juvenile Justice Fund to end the prostitution of children in Georgia by disabling demand. Follow us on Facebook & Twitter
Stop the Prostitution of Children in Georgia
A Weekly Advocacy Update from the 2012 session of the Georgia General Assembly.
Off to a Running Start
The Georgia General Assembly 2012 session starts Monday, Jan. 9th as legislators return to the state Capitol. The Budget is expected to dominate the discussion over the coming months.
Priorities for the New Year Yet again this year we will raise our voices on behalf of commercially sexually exploited children at the Capitol. Given the grim budget outlook our top strategic priority this year will be to protect funding for victim services.
Join us at the Georgia State Capitol
It’s time to register for the 2012 CSEC Lobby Day at the Georgia Capitol! Get ready to make a real difference in the lives of exploited children in our state. Thank your legislator with written notes, make your voice heard, and join together in an awareness-raising show of support for children victimized by CSEC. Lobby Day is an easy, fun, and empowering event. If you’ve never been to the Capitol, this is a perfect way to get started with grassroots advocacy.
When: February 1st, 2012, 8:00 am – 1:00 pm
Where: We will assemble at Central Presbyterian Church (201 Washington Street Southwest, Atlanta, GA 30303) for check-in and advocacy instructions, then walk across the street to the Capitol in groups. Thank you for being part of this historic event! Everyone who participates in Lobby Day will receive a name badge listing their State Senator and Representative. Due to time constraints, we will be unable to provide printed name badges for those who register after 3:00 p.m. on January 30, 2012. All registrations received after this time will need to check-in at the walkup table the morning of Lobby Day.
How to Register: Registration is free and easy. Simply go to www.streetgrace.org to sign up today. After you register you will receive additional information regarding participation.So please join us February 1st and invite a friend to attend with you! Our children are depending on us to be their voice.
In this holiday time, we acknowledge and appreciate everyone who helped a child, who lent a hand, sent good thoughts, gave us money, rallied at the capital, wrapped a present, volunteered to drive, made sandwiches and cut the crusts–to everyone who believed along with us that all children always matter, we say thank you, and we wish you joy and peace during the holiday season.
Boy Scouts carry gift basket
Magic in his adoption day
Our work here ten years ago began as a work of the heart, and continues in just that way. We are all in this together, and it’s all about the kids — it’s all about helping. So whether you’re dropping a Krugerrand into the Salvation Army bucket, volunteering at the Juvenile Justice Fund, or saying a prayer for the well being of children everywhere, we appreciate you, and wish you a holiday filled with peace, joy and the laughter of children.
Martha Turner is the Communications Officer for the
Juvenile Justice Fund
JJF’s Kaffie McCullough received yet another award on behalf of AFNAP for her nearly twelve years of work to help children being prostituted, and to put a stop to the demand for prostituted children.
While the campaign she directs, A Future. Not A Past. (AFNAP) works with the GBI here in Atlanta training law enforcement to recognize and respond to victims of child sex-trade, now the FBI recognizes her work on a national level as awareness of the issue explodes across the country.
2011 Atlanta Division’s Director’s Community Leadership Award
Kaffie McCullough training law enforcement in Georgia
ATLANTA—Today, Special Agent in Charge Brian D. Lamkin, FBI Atlanta, presented the Director’s Community Leadership Award for 2011 to Kaffie McCullough, campaign director of A Future. Not a Past. (AFNAP), which—through the nonprofit Juvenile Justice Fund (JJF)—assists various law enforcement agencies and courts in addressing the needs of juvenile victims being exploited within the commercial sex industry. On March 16, 2012, FBI Director Robert S. Mueller will host all of the FBI’s 56 selectees from around the country at a national ceremony to be held at FBI Headquarters with Ms. McCullough present as Atlanta FBI’s honoree.
A Future. Not A Past.
Since 2007, the JJF’s statewide campaign, AFNAP, has worked to stop the prostitution of children in Georgia through groundbreaking research that drives strategies of prevention, intervention and education.
The mission of AFNAP is to protect and inspire hope in our children—the true victims of commercial sexual exploitation—as well as to disable demand and prosecute to the fullest extent the pimps and johns who exploit them.
AFNAP's 5K to Stop Demand
The AFNAP campaign has continued to address the issue of commercial sexual exploitation of minors through a four-tiered strategy of research, prevention, intervention, and education.
Along with other state entities, the campaign has pushed for tougher state laws to be implemented, and due to their combined efforts, Georgia House Bill 200 became law on July 1, 2011. With that, traffickers sexually exploiting victims under 18 face penalties including the possibility of life in prison and fines up to $100,000.
AFNAP Billboards are spread over Metro Atlanta
In June 2011, The Outdoor Advertising Association of Georgia donated billboards throughout Metro Atlanta to AFNAP to present public service announcements focusing on penalties associated with child sexual exploitation and to encourage community involvement and education.
Since 2007, AFNAP has utilized all means of technology to reach the masses, maintaining social networking sites to provide education and volunteer opportunities. Additionally, AFNAP sponsors an annual 5K run to fight the sexual exploitation of children.
Martha Turner is the Communications Officer for the
Juvenile Justice Fund
The Fulton County Juvenile Court marked it’s tenth anniversary of celebrating National Adoption Day with 19 children being adopted by 16 adoptive families, and every year the Juvenile Justice Fund takes pleasure in being a part of this great event by preparing customized gift baskets for each family.
Thanks to our many donors, and to Tonnisha LaSalle for once again spearheading that effort to present baskets brimming with gift cards, toys, games and puzzles.
It is one of the happiest days of the year in our courthouse as we enjoy the long awaited day with the families who get to finally say “we are family.”
Amanda Davis (Fox 5), who works tirelessly to find permanent homes for adoptive children through her project called Wednesday’s Child, was the perfect choice as Mistress of Ceremonies.
A time for smiling
Civil Rights hero and US Congressman John Lewis, himself an adoptive parent, said in his keynote address “We’re all brothers and sisters. We are all family…we are in the world house.
“Don’t give up, give in or give out, but keep the faith. Hang in there. A better day is coming.”
Chief Judge Belinda Edwards commended the efforts of DFCS, court attorneys, and the many court employees who each play a role in finding permanent homes for these children.
Later the families met in judges’ chambers for the completion of their adoption, and to receive their gift baskets.
Many volunteers participated to provide entertainment and gifts for the families on this magical day.
Special ‘Characters’ came to entertain the children while they waited for their turn with a judge, and to wrap it all up, an ice cream party with all the trimmings.
Judge Bradley Boyd spoke with Martha Turner about the joys of seeing children come into the court for a positive purpose, noting “This is just one of the best days of the year as far as I’m concerned.”
Recently our Kaffie McCullough (A Future. Not A Past.) spoke on the panel for the Protected Innocence Initiative which graded each of our 50 States to evaluate human trafficking laws. While Georgia received a ‘C’, we were also 6th in the nation, which tells us that our nation has a long way to go.
Download your own free Georgia Report Card by Shared Hope International. It is well written and easy to understand.
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