NCJFCJ’s Kelly Ranasinghe to Speak at Annual Soroptimist Retreat
Submitted by Carson Now Reader on Wed, 06/29/2016 - 9:45am
Event Date:
July 9, 2016 (All day) Kelly Ranasinghe, JD, senior program attorney for the National Council of Juvenile and Family Court Judges will speak on the important issues of domestic child sex trafficking, trauma and victimization at the Soroptimist International Sierra Nevada Region’s Annual Development Retreat to approximately 150 members from Nevada and northern California on July 9th at Atlantis Casino Resort Spa.
Domestic child sex trafficking (DCST) is a complex and pervasive issue within the U.S. Human trafficking of children and minors is one of the most heinous acts of child abuse; and in 2013, the NCJFCJ passed a resolution to call for judicial action to address this growing problem. In May 2016, the NCJFCJ hosted a consortium of more than 40 judicial officers from across the U.S. for its third National Judicial Institute on Domestic Child Sex Trafficking: Improving Outcomes for Vulnerable Children Through Judicial Action in Reno, Nev.
The NCJFCJ continues to work with partners such as Rights4Girls and the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, among others, to develop resources and training opportunities for judges and court personnel.
In an RGJ Op-Ed, Ranasinghe wrote, “Human trafficking is often mistakenly believed to only affect urban areas and immigrant populations. In reality, trafficking is a problem in all 50 states and United States territories. Both U.S. citizens and permanent residents are being victimized. Even the tiny island territory of Guam has experienced trafficking, along with isolated rural areas and tribal reservations in the United States interior.”
The NCJFCJ works extensively with courts to improve their response to domestic child sex trafficking (DCST) and commercial sexual exploitation of children (CSEC). DCST and CSEC cases are among the most difficult and challenging cases for juvenile courts to handle. Victims may suffer from complex trauma and require therapeutic services beyond the capacity of local jurisdictions. Child trafficking victims may exhibit delinquent conduct such as substance abuse, truancy, physical aggression or larceny fueled by trauma.
Soroptimist International Sierra Nevada Region is part of an international organization of business and professional women working to improve the lives of women and girls. Through its parent organization, Soroptimist International, they join nearly 90,000 members in 125 countries as "A Global Voice for Women." Together, they make a difference through awareness, advocacy and action. They work together to for the betterment of our communities and our world with a major focus on issues affecting women and children.
About the National Council of Juvenile and Family Court Judges (NCJFCJ):
Founded in 1937, the Reno, Nev.-based National Council of Juvenile and Family Court Judges, is the nation’s oldest judicial membership organization and focused on improving the effectiveness of our nation’s juvenile and family courts. A leader in continuing education opportunities, research, and policy development in the field of juvenile and family justice, the 2,000-member organization is unique in providing practice-based resources to jurisdictions and communities nationwide.
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