Students learn to 'Say Something' about suspicions
July 29, 2019 at 12:37 p.m.
By Christina Leslie |Correspondent
Grim facts about human trafficking, gang affiliation and drug abuse were presented in an upbeat, music-filled assembly at Trenton Catholic Academy Jan. 30. Sponsored by the N.J. Attorney General’s Office and the N.J. Human Trafficking Task Force, the “Say Something Assembly” program gave the fifth through 12th grade classes the tools to both recognize risk factors and take action when they suspect suspicious activity.
Students wearing special eyewear to view the 3-D presentation learned 50 percent of human trafficking victims are under 18 years of age, and some are even as young as nine. Presenters and survivors of abuse told the students that “silence is not golden” and they should speak to a trusted adult if they suspect a friend or fellow student may be a victim of exploitation. Warning signs include having an adult boyfriend, owning expensive items they could not afford, drug use, suspicious bruising or branding, or using gang-type slang, the students were told.
Students wrote positive messages on posters and individual signs and posed with the presenters as they promised to “say something” to keep other young people safe. TCA senior Alyssa Kondash observed, “It was disturbing to learn how widespread this problem is, and makes you think twice about how you treat others. Many of the children they talked about are much younger than me. They should have promising futures ahead of them instead of the lives they’re being forced into now.”
“I was delighted when TCA was chosen to have the assembly on human trafficking,” noted TCA president Sister of St. Joseph Dorothy Payne. “The ‘Say Something Assembly’ made our students aware of a serious problem facing many young people today, human trafficking or modern day slavery. I was proud of the number of our students who we willing to stand up and be accountable to “Say Something” in defense of the voiceless.”
TCA Upper School director Michele Neves agreed. “Having the State A.G. offer this program to us was a blessing, as the information that was shared regarding human trafficking by the speakers was harsh news to students as well as teachers. Students have stopped by to talk about it. Many heard on the news that 16 missing children were found in the metropolitan area over the last two weeks because of increased focus on this problem. As we bring students closer to God, we want them to see how His intercession is needed in human rights issues.”
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By Christina Leslie |Correspondent
Grim facts about human trafficking, gang affiliation and drug abuse were presented in an upbeat, music-filled assembly at Trenton Catholic Academy Jan. 30. Sponsored by the N.J. Attorney General’s Office and the N.J. Human Trafficking Task Force, the “Say Something Assembly” program gave the fifth through 12th grade classes the tools to both recognize risk factors and take action when they suspect suspicious activity.
Students wearing special eyewear to view the 3-D presentation learned 50 percent of human trafficking victims are under 18 years of age, and some are even as young as nine. Presenters and survivors of abuse told the students that “silence is not golden” and they should speak to a trusted adult if they suspect a friend or fellow student may be a victim of exploitation. Warning signs include having an adult boyfriend, owning expensive items they could not afford, drug use, suspicious bruising or branding, or using gang-type slang, the students were told.
Students wrote positive messages on posters and individual signs and posed with the presenters as they promised to “say something” to keep other young people safe. TCA senior Alyssa Kondash observed, “It was disturbing to learn how widespread this problem is, and makes you think twice about how you treat others. Many of the children they talked about are much younger than me. They should have promising futures ahead of them instead of the lives they’re being forced into now.”
“I was delighted when TCA was chosen to have the assembly on human trafficking,” noted TCA president Sister of St. Joseph Dorothy Payne. “The ‘Say Something Assembly’ made our students aware of a serious problem facing many young people today, human trafficking or modern day slavery. I was proud of the number of our students who we willing to stand up and be accountable to “Say Something” in defense of the voiceless.”
TCA Upper School director Michele Neves agreed. “Having the State A.G. offer this program to us was a blessing, as the information that was shared regarding human trafficking by the speakers was harsh news to students as well as teachers. Students have stopped by to talk about it. Many heard on the news that 16 missing children were found in the metropolitan area over the last two weeks because of increased focus on this problem. As we bring students closer to God, we want them to see how His intercession is needed in human rights issues.”
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