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Insights from a Public Health Advocate: Dr. Hanni Stoklosa Shine a Spotlight on the Dark
Realities of the Sex Trafficking Industry
September 8, 2023, LEHIGH VALLEY, PA – Bloom for Women, a faith-based non-profit organization dedicated to providing sanctuary and care for women survivors of sex trafficking and sexual exploitation, is hosting a benefit dinner at the Saucon Valley Country Club on October 4, 2023. The event will feature keynote speaker Hanni Stoklosa, MD, MPH, Chief Medical Officer and Co-Founder of HEAL Trafficking, an organization that works to end human trafficking and support survivors.
The benefit dinner aims to raise awareness and funds for Bloom for Women’s mission to heal, empower, and employ women survivors of sex trafficking and sexual exploitation. The organization offers a continuum of care, including emergency response, a two-year residential program, pregnant survivor services, and an independent living program in the Lehigh Valley area of Pennsylvania. Bloom for Women also operates the Bloom Creative Studio, a social enterprise that leverages art as a healing tool and provides employment opportunities for survivors, and My Sister’s Closet, a women’s upscale resale boutique that provides employment for survivors, community volunteer opportunities and financial support for the organization.
According to statistics, the average age of entry into “prostitution” is 12-14 years young, and 90% of women who are labeled “prostitutes” are owned by someone else. Most are abused by their pimp, drugged and beaten into submission, and victims often experience violence at the hands of “johns”. They average 20 men per day and give all their earnings to the pimp. The internet has changed how prostitution is organized, and online pimping can include video, still photos, and social media accounts.
“We are thrilled to have Dr. Stoklosa as our keynote speaker for this important event,” said Bloom for Women CEO, Carol Andersen. “Her expertise and advocacy for the wellbeing of trafficking survivors in the U.S. and internationally through a public health lens aligns with our mission to provide sanctuary and care for women survivors of sex trafficking and sexual exploitation.”
The benefit dinner’s key message is FREEDOM, and Bloom for Women hopes to raise awareness and funds to support survivors in their journey towards healing and independence. The event is open to the public, and tickets can be purchased on Bloom for Women’s website.
For more information about Bloom for Women and the benefit dinner, visit www.bloomforwomen.org.
About Bloom for Women
Bloom for Women, Inc. is a faith-based non-profit organization with the mission of providing sanctuary and a continuum of care to heal, empower and employ women survivors of sex trafficking and sexual exploitation. As part of its mission, Bloom offers emergency response, a two-year residential program, pregnant survivor services, and an independent living program in the Lehigh Valley area of Pennsylvania. Bloom follows the model and is a sister community of the remarkably successful Thistle Farms Nashville program. In addition, the Bloom Creative Studio, located in Bangor, Pa., is a social enterprise to leverage art as a healing tool and provide employment opportunities for survivors. Bloom also has a women’s upscale, resale boutique, My Sister’s Closet, based in Bethlehem, Pa., providing employment for survivors, community volunteer opportunities, and financial support for the organization.
Information provided to TVL by:
Tiffany Sondergaard
–ts Brand Elevation
https://www.tsbrandelevation.com/
