Preventing child sex trafficking — a message from our CEO

NEWS

I hope your new year is off to a great start. We are so appreciative of everyone who committed to the mission of the National Court Appointed Special Advocate/Guardian ad Litem (CASA/GAL) Association for Children in 2022 and accompanies us into 2023. Your engagement and generous support allows us to expand the impact of CASA/GAL programs and increase the number of court-appointed volunteers who help children who have experienced abuse or neglect thrive in a safe, permanent home.

Many children in foster care face adversities beyond separation from their family of origin and the trauma this separation causes. Our advocates are trained to address a number of specific issues, including child sex trafficking.

January has been marked National Human Trafficking Prevention Month to raise public awareness of its prevalence. Four out of five children trafficked have spent time in the child welfare system. This alarming statistic is one of the data points that has made preventing child sex trafficking one of our focus areas.

National CASA/GAL provides in-depth training for new volunteers and ongoing training for staff and existing volunteers to help them recognize the signs of human trafficking as they encounter children and youth they serve. For children who are vulnerable, having a trusted adult looking out for their best interest is critical.

As a supporter of our work, you have made a positive, crucial difference in the lives of children we advocate for now and will have a beneficial impact on others in the future.

On behalf of our nationwide network of 939 state organizations and local programs and our nearly 100,000 CASA/GAL volunteers, thank you for your commitment to our critical mission to support children and families. We look forward to your continued partnership as we expand our efforts.

With deep gratitude,

Tara Lisa Perry
CEO, National CASA/GAL Association for Children