Join the Hamilton County Federation of Republic Women Club for their Ladies’ Night Out from 6 to 8 p.m. on Thursday, May 31 at Hamilton County Republic Party Headquarters, 209 E. 175th St., Westfield.
Come socialize and learn about human trafficking with fellow Republican women and men from around the Hamilton County area and beyond. The speaker this month is Tim Swarens, Opinion Director/Columnist for the Indianapolis Star. Tim, funded by a grant from the Society of Professional Journalists, spent a year investigating child sex trafficking in the United States and around the world. Swarens’ work has taken him to eight countries on five continents since October 2016 to better understand why an estimated 1.2 million children a year fall victim to sex trafficking.
A U.S. Department of Justice funded study in 2016 found that sex traffickers sell about 10,000 children a year in the United States. The average age of American victims is 15. Each one is purchased on average 5.4 times a day. In 2016, authorities identified nine child trafficking victims in Hamilton County; the youngest victim was 11 years old. Swarens will discuss the factors that fuel the child sex trade and what can be done to help stop it.
Ladies’ Night out is free to members and $10 for non-members. RSVP at hamcogopwomen@gmail.com.
Please bring food/beverage to share and donations for the Right Now Campaign. Donations needed include toilet paper, paper towels, feminine products, toothpaste/toothbrushes, Q-tips, shampoo/conditioner, bath soap, dish soap, laundry detergent, bleach, baby/adult diapers, wipes and hairbrushes/combs.