BLOOMINGTON, Ill. (WMBD) — The city of Bloomington was certified as a ‘Partner in Peace’ with the Center for Prevention of Abuse for its human trafficking awareness and prevention efforts.
Carol Merna, CEO of Center for Prevention of Abuse, presented a triangle-shaped plaque to Bloomington Mayor Dan Brady at Monday’s city council meeting. Multiple CFPA staff members were also present.
“I’m here to celebrate our shared work to build a safe and peaceful community,” said Merna. “The subject of human trafficking, though difficult, is one that demands our unwavering attention, collective resolve, and proactive action as public servants and as members of an engaged community. The city of Bloomington has risen to the occasion.”
Bloomington met certification requirements by training 75% of city staff with CFPA’s human trafficking awareness and prevention program, implementing a formal anti-trafficking policy, establishing an encouraged reporting protocol for staff, and created an ordinance to regulate massage establishments.
Bloomington the first city in Illinois to achieve the designation.
Human trafficking is the use of force, fraud or coercion to obtain labor or commercial sex acts.
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