There has been a lot of recent public discussion on the subject of human trafficking.  But now we need to do more than just talk about the horrors of human trafficking, we need to start solving it.   To do that we need your help!  Please urge Governor Cuomo and New York State’s legislative leadership to provide critically-needed funding for victims of human trafficking and homeless youth at risk of trafficking in this year’s state budget.

As the President of Covenant House, New York's largest provider of services to homeless, trafficked and at-risk youth, I see firsthand the struggles young people face on our streets every day. We know all too well that when there are not enough beds or services for homeless young people, there is a pimp or trafficker lying in wait to lure them in.   A recent study by Covenant House New York/Fordham University found that almost one in four of surveyed Covenant House youth were either victims of trafficking or felt they needed to trade sex in order to survive. Almost half of them said that not having a place to stay was a main reason for their trafficking experiences.   More state funding for homeless youth is critical to ensuring that fewer young people are exploited on our streets.

In 2008, New York was the first state to pass groundbreaking safe harbor legislation to protect young victims of sex trafficking, to provide them with help rather than with handcuffs.  Governor Cuomo recently signed legislation extending the Safe Harbor Act to 16- and 17 year- olds. But laws are not enough.  Survivors need mental health care, lawyers, doctors, job training and education, and most of all safe places to live and heal.  Yet, there is woefully little state funding to provide these things for them.

That is why I am joining forces with the New York State Anti-Trafficking Coalition, the NYS Coalition for Homeless Youth and the Council of Family and Child Caring Agencies (COFCCA) to ask New York State’s legislative leadership to join  Assembly Members Amy Paulin and Linda Rosenthal's campaign to include more money in this year’s state budget to fund services for sex trafficking victims and homeless youth.

Please sign this petition to urge New York’s legislative leadership to start solving human trafficking.

Kevin Ryan
President, Covenant House