Please join us on our Candlelight Vigil this upcoming November 3rd at 5:45 PM at City Hall Park, near the fountain. For any inquiries, please email info@girlvow.org.

According to the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC) in 2019 there were 421,394 missing children entered in the data system. Of those missing, 298,190 were female and 205,802 were black females. In 2016, NCMEC reported 86% of the likely child sex trafficking victims reported to them were missing from foster care or social services. The National Crime Information Center reported 70,000 Black girls under the age of 18 were reported missing last year. Hispanics are unaccounted for because they are regarded as white. These statistics are absolutely revolting, but realistically depict and put into perspective the current climate women and girls face.

The Taskforce bill, which has passed unanimously in both houses in the State of New York, would address the pervasive issues of Missing, Murdered, Women, and girls of color. This bill would: position itself to highlight the stark reality documenting how women and girls of color who are victims of crime have been failed by institutions that reinforce structural violence across several nationalities as seen in untimely reporting, underreporting, lackluster media, and unforgiven social structures that regard missing and murdered women and girls of color as second class citizens. 

The stories and names are obscured by race, socioeconomic class, lack of urgency, gendered racism, and invisibility. A national crisis of gender-based violence has materialized in plain sight but remains hidden from mainstream dialogue causing more harm than good. The Taskforce represents a call to action to review systemic processes that address how we police our communities when women or girls are reported missing.

Efforts to locate the growing count of missing BIPOC women and girls in recent times have been minimal. If this trend persists, it is inevitable that the number of missing individuals will rise, with a lack of proactive measures to aid in their discovery. We cannot afford to stand idle any longer. The challenges we face demand swift and decisive action. We firmly believe that the power to effect change lies within our hands.

The tens of thousands of these missing BIPOC women and girls include abductees, sex trafficking victims, and runaways. These girls experience the intersection of racism and sexism, which unfortunately results in pervasive social and economic barriers. We must not let these women and girls fall victim to the systemic failures for which they are not responsible. By developing a task force on this crisis, New York State can take charge and acknowledge the work that must be done to bring justice for missing BIPOC women and girls.

The Task Force bill that has passed unanimously in both houses with the help of Senator Lea Webb and Assembly Member Karines Reyes is now awaiting to be signed by Governor Hochul. Help us have the Governor sign this bill by signing this petition.