INDEPENDENT NEWSMEDIA
At an early December meeting, the Chandler Council received a city honor.
The Arizona Anti-Trafficking Network announced the city has earned a CEASE, or Cities Empowered Against Sexual Exploitation, designation.
In a news release, the AATN said the Chandler designation highlights what it calls a significant milestone in the collective efforts to eradicate human trafficking and sexual exploitation within communities.
On hand for the presentation was the entire City Council member, Stacey Sutherland of the AATN, AATN Board Chair and President John Meza, Sgt. Hilton Drew of the Human Trafficking Unit of the Chandler Police Department, CEASE program director Nate Boulter and Chandler Mayor Kevin Hartke.
Sutherland, who is the public information officer and TRUST director for the AATN, wrote, in a statement, that the step was an important one for the city.
“With the City of Chandler’s commitment to combat human trafficking, municipal staff engagement in the CEASE training underscores the truth that it takes an entire community to stand against exploitation,” Sutherland wrote. “By arming ourselves with knowledge, we empower our community to be a formidable force against trafficking, working hand in hand to provide survivors with the resources and support needed for a path toward restoration and resilience.”
The main requirement for a municipality to qualify for the CEASE designation is for 75% of municipal employees to complete comprehensive training. Also, the city must commit to ongoing, updated training on an annual basis, using a specific curriculum.
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