The New Jersey Chapter, American Academy of Pediatrics (NJAAP) is launching a new Anti-Trafficking Task Force aimed at fighting and preventing child trafficking in the state of New Jersey. The Task Force will be a Subcommittee of the NJAAP Adolescent Health Committee.

NJAAP is dedicated to improving the health and well-being of children in the state of New Jersey. Co-chairs Gina Cavallo and Nicole Leopardi have been working diligently to bring together a group of diverse, engaged, and passionate individuals to contribute their knowledge and expertise to this important work.

One of the major goals of our recruitment efforts is ensuring that the Task Force is both survivor-led and survivor-informed. Individuals with lived experiences will have meaningful input during all layers and stages of this work. Embracing this ideology will elevate this Task Force from one that delivers a message of change to one that is the change. We believe that effectively promoting and role-modeling a culture of empowerment for survivors is the right way, the only way, to make a significant impact.

DID YOU KNOW?

• Research shows that the majority of victims of human trafficking interact with a healthcare provider while they are still being trafficked.
• Human trafficking affects children and adults of all ages, backgrounds, and socioeconomic status, and includes both labor trafficking and sex trafficking.
• Risk factors for trafficking are grounded in vulnerability. Our most vulnerable populations — including children — are being targeted.
• The internet is increasingly being utilized by traffickers to target, groom, and recruit child victims.

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Last Updated: 07/11/22