Bail Reform and the "List"

CRIME:

 An unlawful act punishable by a state or other type of authority. 

That's great, we knew this. 

Bail:

Bail, in New York, is some sort of collateral, whether it is cash or a bond to make sure  a defendant is going to show up to Court.  The law has always been and continues to be that Courts are only supposed to require bail where there is some reason to believe a defendant is not going to show up to Court when instructed, like, has the means to flee or is violent.  Sometimes a Judge is unfamiliar with a certain defendant, so there is a list of criteria under the Criminal Procedure Law that a Judge can use to help determine whether the accused will show up.  But, again, the sole purpose of bail is to secure a defendant’s whether he shows up, when the Court directs them to be there.When bail is set, and a defendant cannot afford it, they are sent to the County Jail to await their next court appearance.  Depending on the charges or the Court, that can be weeks or months spent in jail – innocent. I'm assuming on depends where you live and how fast the courts move as well.

Innocent until proven guilty:

 Law enforcement officers do not arrest innocent people. Well, not on purpose anyway.  On the whole law enforcement officers do a terrific job with the information they have or the actions they observe.  But sometimes officers do not have all of the information, sometimes the information changes, sometimes the conduct does not fit the level of the crime, and sometimes officers make mistakes.  Law enforcement officers are human. For this reason the criminal justice system includes defense attorneys, prosecutors, and Judges.

Judges:

Judges are the people who decide whether or not to set bail.  Judges are elected officials and have a wide discretion in determining bail. They can set bail on any defendant accused of any crime in any amount they feel is appropriate.  A Judge is not required to take into account any specific criteria when setting bail, nor is a Judge required to consider the fact that it could be a finacial burden to the family of a defendant when determining bail.

Criminal Charges:

There are three types of criminal charges: violations (serious), misdemeanors (more serious), and felonies (most serious). Felonies are split up into 5 classes – 

E through A, with A being the most serious.  Felonies are also categorized into violent felonies and sex felonies.  Violent felonies and sex felonies are considered aggravating because they include intentional acts and victims.  There is supposed to be a distinction. Pay close attention this is important under the Bail Reform Laws. The reform still permits cash bail for defendants accused of a “qualifying offense” including:

• a sex offense;
• a violent offense (with one exception that does not involve actual violence against a person) LMAOOOO! YEA OK 
• criminal contempt where underlying allegations involved domestic violence;
• witness intimidation or conspiracy to commit murder;
• terrorism related offenses.                                                     

                                                 The shoplifting:

                                                      It's so ridiculous that it is out of control. I hope voters, for whichever political party you belong to, think about our public safety. 

                                                        

New York voters say the 2019 bail reform law has been bad for New York. 

                                                   DUH!!!! Did they really have to ask the voters??? Thats a gimmie. Voters say the law has resulted in an increase in crime, and think it should be amended to give judges more discretion to set bail based on the seriousness of the crime or the individual’s criminal record some of these defendants are serious repeat offenders. One month after the 2019 bail reform law passed, at least 70% of Democrats, independents, New York City, Black, Latino, and young voters, and a majority of non-New York City, white, and older voters thought the new law would be good for the state. Only Republicans, 55-34%, thought the law would be bad.  Today, 84% of Republicans think the law has been bad for New York, as do at least 60% of independents, voters outside New York City, white, and older voters. Some Democrats, 46-38%, and a majority of young voters think the law has been good for the state. Black and Latino voters are closely divided, tilting toward bad. Nearly two-thirds of New Yorkers – including at least 70% of Republicans, independents, voters from every region, and white and Latino voters, as well as majorities of Democratic and Black voters – say the bail law has resulted in an increase in crime. Again, what did they think was going to happen? And an overwhelming majority of New Yorkers, including at least 79% of voters of every party, region and race, say the law should be amended to give judges more discretion to set bail. I guess "Lesson Learned."

                                           "The List" 

                                                   Are you ready for this??

Here Are All The Crimes That Now Fall Under The Bail Reform Law:

• 2nd degree Burglary of a residence
• 2nd degree Burglary as a Hate Crime
• 3rd degree Burglary of a commercial building
• 3rd degree Burglary as a Hate Crime
• 2nd degree Robbery aided by another person
• 2nd degree Robbery as a Hate Crime
• 3rd degree Robbery
• Criminal sale of a controlled substance (multiple counts)
• Using a child to commit a controlled substance crime
• Criminal possession of a controlled substance (multiple counts)
• Criminal sale of a controlled substance in or near a school
• Criminal injection of a controlled substance into another person
• Criminal sale of a controlled substance to a child
• Criminal sale of a prescription for a controlled substance by a pharmacist
• Criminal possession or creation of Methamphetamines
• 3rd degree Assault
• 3rd degree Assault as a Hate Crime
• Reckless Assault of a child by a day care provider
• Reckless Assault of a child
• Stalking (multiple counts)
• Stalking as a Hate Crime (multiple counts)
• Vehicular Assault (multiple counts)
• Aggravated Vehicular Assault
• Aggravated Assault on a child under 11 years-old
• Aggravated Assault on a child under 11 years-old as a Hate Child
• Menacing (multiple counts)
• Menacing as a Hate Crime (multiple counts)
• Reckless Endangerment (multiple counts)
• Promoting a suicide attempt
• 1st degree Stalking while committing a sex offense
• Criminal Obstruction of Breathing
• Criminally Negligent Homicide
• 2nd degree Vehicular Manslaughter
• Aggravated Vehicular Manslaughter
• 2nd degree Manslaughter
• Unlawful Imprisonment (multiple counts)
• Unlawful Imprisonment as a Hate Crime (multiple counts)
• Aggravated Labor Trafficking
• Custodial Interference (multiple counts)
• Substitution of children
• Coercion (multiple counts)
• Coercion as a Hate Crime (multiple counts)
• Criminal Trespass (multiple counts)
• Criminal Trespass as a Hate Crime (multiple counts)
• Possession of burglar's tools
• Unlawful possession of a police scanner
• Criminal Mischief (multiple counts)
• Criminal Mischief as a Hate Crime (multiple counts)
• Criminal Tampering (multiple counts)
• Cemetery Desecration (multiple counts)
• Aggravated Cemetery Desecration (multiple counts)
• Reckless Endangerment of property
• Tampering with a consumer product (multiple counts)
• Graffiti
• Possession of Graffiti tools
• 3rd degree Arson
• 4th degree Arson
• 5th degree Arson
• 3rd degree Arson as a Hate Crime
• 4th degree Arson as a Hate Crime
• 5th degree Arson as a Hate Crime
• Grand Larceny (multiple counts)
• Grand Larceny at a Hate Crime (multiple counts)
• Aggravated Grand Larceny of an ATM
• Petit Larceny
• Petit Larceny as a Hate Crime
• Computer Tampering (multiple counts)
• Computer Trespass
• Unauthorized use of a computer
• Unlawful duplication of computer materials (multiple counts)
• Welfare Fraud (multiple counts)
• Criminal use of a public benefits card (multiple counts)
• Criminal possession of a public benefits card (multiple counts)
• Unauthorized use of a vehicle (multiple counts)
• Auto stripping (multiple counts)
• Theft of services
• Unauthorized use of a credit card
• Jostling
• Fraudulent Accosting
• Criminal Possession of Stolen Property (multiple counts)
• Forgery (multiple counts)
• Criminal possession of a forged instrument (multiple counts)
• Criminal possession of forgery devices
• Criminal possession of a Vehicle ID Number
• Forgery of a Vehicle ID Number
• Falsifying business records (multiple counts)
• Tampering with public records (multiple counts)
• Offering a false instrument for filing (multiple counts)
• Insurance Fraud (multiple counts)
• Health insurance fraud (multiple counts)
• Criminal diversion of prescription medications (multiple counts)
• Commercial bribery (multiple counts)
• Rent Gouging (multiple counts)
• Residential mortgage fraud (multiple counts)
• Aggravated identity theft (multiple counts)
• Bribery (multiple counts)
• Perjury (multiple counts)
• Bail jumping (multiple counts)
• Obstructing governmental administration (multiple counts)
• Obstructing governmental administration with a self-defense spray device
• Killing a Police Dog or Police Horse
• Obstructing emergency medical services
• Obstructing governmental services with a bomb
• Escape (multiple counts)
• Promoting prison contraband (multiple counts)
• Resisting arrest
• Hindering prosecution (multiple counts)
• Making a false sworn statement
• Bribing a witness
• Receiving a bribe as a witness
• Bribing a juror
• Receiving a bribe as a juror
• Providing a juror with a gratuity
• Tampering with a juror (multiple counts)
• Tampering with physical evidence
• Compounding a crime
• 1st degree Criminal Contempt – refusing to be sworn in as a witness
• 2nd degree Criminal Contempt
• ALL Gambling offenses
• ALL Prostitution offenses
• Providing indecent material in minors (multiple counts)
• Riot (multiple counts)
• Criminal Anarchy
• Harassment (multiple counts)
• Harassment as a Hate Crime (multiple counts)
• Aggravated Harassment (multiple counts)
• Aggravated Harassment as a Hate Crime (multiple counts)
• Aggravated Harassment of an employee by an inmate
• Criminal nuisance (multiple counts)
• Falsely reporting a crime
• Pointing a laser at an aircraft (multiple counts)
• Harming a service animal (multiple counts)
• Public lewdness
• Illegal eavesdropping
• Dissemination of unlawful surveillance (multiple counts)
• Non-support of a child (multiple counts)
• Endangering the welfare of a child
• Assisting in female genital mutilation
• Endangering the welfare of an incompetent or physically disabled person
• Endangering the welfare of a vulnerable elderly person
• Endangering the welfare of a disabled person (multiple counts)
• Promoting an obscene sexual performance by a child
• Possession of an obscene sexual performance by a child
• Promoting a sexual performance by a child
• Possessing a sexual performance by a child
• 4th degree Criminal possession of a weapon
• Criminal possession of a weapon on school grounds
• Criminal possession of a firearm
• 3rd degree Criminal possession of a weapon
• Criminal purchase or disposal of a weapon
• Unlawfully wearing a body vest
• Unlawfully fleeing a police officer in a vehicle (multiple counts)
• Enterprise corruption
• Money Laundering (multiple counts)
• Money Laundering in support of terrorism (multiple counts)
• Corrupting the government (multiple counts)
• Criminal solicitation (multiple counts)
• Conspiracy (multiple counts)
• Conspiracy as a Hate Crime (multiple counts)
• Criminal facilitation (multiple counts)

                                          Oh It Gets Better...

These offenders will also have the added bonus of a new incentive program in New York City -- which will give released suspects things like New York Mets tickets and gift cards for showing up to court!!!!

Does crime Pay?

Of course not, what are we teaching our kids?? Theres no consequence. 

The bad...

I used to be a Democrat. In 1987 I registered as a Democrat, when Bail Reform came out in 2019.....I changed over to Republican. There's no way my ideals and values matched with the  Democrats anymore. Most of my family, which are Hispanic are registered Republican. 

Fixing New York’s bail requirements was hailed as a national victory after Democrats regained dual majorities in the state Senate in 2019. A series of reforms, which included banning cash bail for all but the most violent felonies, were signed into law as a symbol of what the party could do united in power for the first time in years. 

Bail reform needs to be amended!! 

Look at your elected officialS in your area, see if they support Bail reform. 

                                                

                    BE DILLIGENT ABOUT YOUR SAFETY

 

The Long Island informed voter

 

THE VOTER.

I remember way back in the day in the mid '70s, my mom and dad would constantly watch the local and national news. Constantly trying to listen to what was going on in the country. Back then, there was no CNN, MSNBC, or social media platforms to get their news. They received the paper (Spanish) and listened to the 11 o'clock news. My parents were very political in the sense that they wanted to be "Americanized" and learn how this country works. They had wanted and eventually became small business owners. On the pathway to citizenship is the goal for them. Seeing them going through this process was not very interesting, I was in my early teens and I had other teen stuff to think about. 

THE DRAMA, WHO KNEW?

So in late 79', the Iran hostage scandal came out. My sixth-grade teacher, Mr. Stewart, had the class listen to the news and write about a story that we heard. The big headline was the  scandal. It did intrigue me, why? who knows? Maybe because it seemed so scary and so international. So that was my induction into politics. Little by little, politics was becoming the norm for discussion in our home. With so many family members and with very differences of opinion, making it an over-dramatic novella (Mexican soap opera), it was fun to talk about politics. My parents loved President Reagan. Oh, and yes, my parents became naturalized citizens and took politics even more seriously. Now, we kids didn't rebel against what they believed in, in fact, most kids learn politics from their parents and usually follow along. I didn't. When I finally was able to register to vote, I became a Democrat. I didn't announce it, I didn't want to hurt my parent's feelings. 

BUSH VS. DUKAKIS

This was the first election that I was to vote in. I didn't know what I was doing. I thought I was supposed to vote along party lines, you know across the board. My parents were doing the complete opposite, they were learning about the candidates. I had asked my dad if he was happy being a republican, because he was considering voting for a democrat. His reply, was to me at the time puzzling." I still have to know what the candidates stand for and see what they are about." I'm thinking, that's so interesting. Then I thought, he's wrong. He's a newbie like his daughter. I went to the polls and I was so confident and I felt so smart. I went up to vote and I had done so with voting all democrat across. My parents did their voting during the day. That night, we had extended family over to watch the results as they came in. It was exciting until my uncle asked who I voted for. I proudly said, Dukakis. He had a look on his face and asked "Why?" I told him, "Well, I am a democrat you know!" when I said that, my mother looked at me like I was acting up in the supermarket and she was going to pinch me. 

BE IN THE KNOW

My uncle then continued to ask me if I knew about any of his proposed policies, his background, and what his campaign was about. I don't think I ever felt so ignorant in my entire life. I quietly went into the den and didn't want to participate in watching the election results. I wasted my vote. I couldn't participate in any of the conversations, because honestly, I didn't read about anything or even try to learn about any of the candidates. All I assumed was to vote with what party you are registered with. Boy was I wrong. I of course moved on, I went into the 90's full throttle with marriage and having my babies in 1991,1993,1995, and 1997. So getting involved in politics was a little difficult. 

INDIVIDUALITY

I went back to the political game when George W. Bush was running for president against Al Gore. Now is my chance to see who is the best candidate to vote for. I read quite a bit about the two. What most impressed me was Bush's military record and he is  from Texas, I thought he was tough. I thought Bush was the better choice after my research, Bush was getting my vote. Now I felt like an informed voter. I'm voting against my party, but I felt confident in my choice. 

TODAY

So as time passed, I wasn't feeling the vibe and connection with democrats. I was more and more sharing the same values with the republican party. When the "no cash bail law" came out, I thought, ok, this isn't bad. People who commit very low-level crimes, can get out, go back to their job and there's no financial hardship of bail with families or individuals who do not have the money to post bail. Then I learned that the democrats had added much more offenses. Not just offensives, but violent ones. I did what a "normal or concerned" voter did what I thought I should do. I had contacted my Senator and asked for the list of offensives that were included in that list. After reading it, I download a voter registration form and filled it out to become a republican. I felt powerful because I'm sharing my values and ideology with a political party that identify with. Today, I am taking it a step further. I decided to run for public office and help transition a democratic dominance into a balanced table where I can contribute my republican thoughts and ideas, but more importantly, see to it that there's representation from those who feel like they have none. Balance, compromise, and understanding are what it's going to take to thrive and deliver a better quality of life for all, not just to one political side. Learn and know your candidates. Don't let them decide for you, and they will try with phrases like, "Vote for my team" or "Vote straight across" or "Vote all D". That is usually done to try to have you (the voter) vote their way, kinda like "Don't worry, we can decide for you how to vote." YIKES!  

LASTLY

Take your time and see what the candidate is about. There are some fresh faces out there, new ideas, and more than ever politicians are endorsing other party candidates because they feel their party candidate is not the best choice and not afraid to be public about it. For example, Babylon Town Councilman Duwayne Gregory (Democrat) endorsed Ray Tierney (Republican) for the  Suffolk County District Attorney race. That even shocked me!!!!! So there you have it, I as well am running for public office. Town Clerk in the Town of Babylon. I want to help my community have a sense of representation so they may acquire a better quality of life, like our Vets, seniors, struggling families, and disabled deserve our focus to make our Long Island life affordable, transparent, and more accessible when it comes to obtaining a beach pass, permit, and the ability to have a choice on how to obtain their passes/permits. 

Thank you for reading this. It's my pleasure to run in this election and speak up for residents. We all matter. These next weeks, my team and I will be all over our beautiful Town, meeting with residents and listening to all ideas, concerns, and what you have to say! If you see us, please stop and say hello! I'll have a flyer with my info and ideas, I would be more than happy to share with you. 

Please feel free to reach out!

https://www.catherineforbabylon.com/

Email: Catherineforbabylon@gmail.com

HerCommunity2@gmail.com

Catherine@Hercommunity2.com

Hope to hear from you! 

Covid-19, Delta Variant, Masks, and our children.

 

Fall of 2001 with me and my baby.

2019

 Now there's been screaming matches about the masks' being worn and the vaccinations being administered. I never really had an opinion on either one to be frank. When Covid-19 became a pandemic, I just wore my mask because I just didn't feel like defending myself or create a fuss. Our youngest daughter, who is 15 years old, continued her dance classes through zoom. School was done remotely. I would have my groceries delivered to my home, so everything was semi-normal. I spent a lot of my time working on projects that kept me busy. My other four kids are grown and moved out, living their own life. My daughter had her middle school graduation as a drive thru. It was the most ridiculous thing I ever witnessed. I did understand, but still, come on. 

I am going to fast forward to 2020.

We had adjusted to pandemic life. My daughter was attending school with only Wednesday's being the remote learning day. I have to tell you, my daughter, Alexa, has told me some funny shenanigans that went on with remote learning. Kids that weren't in that class, would hijack the class and play very loud rap music while the camera is focused on a ceiling fan. other would disguise their voice and name call a teacher (not funny) and other clueless teenage life stuff. So then, the kids did in fact have to wear their masks to school. I wasn't a fan of it, I mean the idea a paper mask can halt a pandemic seemed silly to me. 

2021

It's now June 2021. 

My older daughter, tells me that she is in the hospital for Covid symptoms. I'm like, ok. Are you ok?Now, she's texting me, and I decide I want to facetime her, (I'm annoying like that) and she texts me she cannot speak, that its too difficult because she can hardly breathe. That's when it kind of

hit me. She's freaking 28 years old! This was on a Saturday, the following Monday morning.....They took the baby by C-section and put my daughter on a ventilator. The baby was taken two months early and was placed in a different hospital in the NICU unit. So now, my daughter is in a medical induced coma and in the Covid ICU unit. No visitors at all. I am at home on Long Island and she's in a faraway state. I suddenly become a zombie overnight. All I can think about is my little baby all by herself in a unit with no one but the nurses were incredible. Always explaining to me her condition and always compassionate.  Her blood pressure was 199/198, she was put on dialysis because her kidneys had failed, her temperature was from 105-106 degrees. After a month like this, she was finally moved to regular ICU. We flew out right away to visit her. She came a long way the doctors' told us. She still has to be on the feeding tube and the ventilator, which now was moved to a tracheotomy that was done on her. I cried when I saw her. She looked so different, plus she was awake! She was full aware of what was going on. She knew who I was and Bob (my partner)too. Thank God!

August 31, 2021

How do I feel about the masks and vaccinations? I don't know, there's way too much information contradicting out there. First Bob was vaccinated, then he insisted our daughter, Alexa get vaccinated. I mean, what can I do? She wanted to get vaccinated and he wanted her too as well. Then, I finally caved, I got vaccinated too. I still do not believe in it because, my daughter, who caught covid, was vaccinated and was very diligent in wearing a mask. She still caught it. I really don't know what to think or feel about this. New information is coming out everyday. Do what you feel is right and safe for you and your family. As for the screaming matches... life is about you and your family. I am not a fan of the masks or the vaccines. I do not mind showing my vaccine card to anyone. I had to show my vaccination card when I entered into kindergarten in the 70's, what's the difference? no real private info is on there., But that's me. 

It's not Covid ripping us apart, it's the info on how to handle it and people interfering that shouldn't. Decipher what information you receive to determine what's best, talk it over with your family and do the best you can. This story was simply about what we went through as a family with this. I wish everyone safety and health. 

Peace be with you! Lets try to love our neighbors. 

P.S. My daughter is on her way to recovering. Only her lungs will not be 100% but that's alright, she is ALIVE.

THE HIGH COST OF LIVING LOW ON LONG ISLAND

What's not to love about Long Island, New York?

 We have amazing beaches, restaurants, enriched history, and a quick drive to Manhattan. However, people are moving out of New York in huge numbers. As I had stated back a few posts, I was born and raised in Los Angeles, so when I moved to Long Island 15 years ago, I saw beauty and nice weather with all the four seasons. Some would say we live a fast paced life here, maybe, but I love that. The parks are so beautiful, my personal favorite is Belmont Lake. So many hidden gems on this Island, like the restaurants and deli's here. The best thing here is the BAGELS and oh I cannot forget the egg sandwich on a roll with butter from a deli. So, over the course of time, more and more people are moving out of Long Island, New York. Why? Its does get bitterly cold here in the winter where you just don't want to deal with that and snow. That's why most of our seniors move to Florida. The thing is, it's not just seniors anymore, it's families. I spoke to a Long Island native that moved to Florida. I asked him why? To be born and raised here, why now?

He had many reasons, extremely high taxes, expensive parks and beaches, yes we have to pay on top of the taxes. red light cameras, which they hiked from $50 to $80. The potholes, yes the potholes, I know everyone complains but we have pretty big ones and it can damage your car significantly. According to NY Department of Labor from 2017, the average salary is $57,650 that's a great salary if you happen to live out of state. Unfortunately, we now have  multigenerational style families, with more than one family living in one home is  high here, especially when the average cost of a house here is $500,000 so when you can, do the math. 

Now according to the former resident, taxes, corruption, and potholes. Maybe in that order. I think people get angry with high taxes because we have nothing to show for it, yet we still have to pay to have access to our parks and beaches. Corruption. Yes it's rampant here, it's so bad that an average every day resident are stepping up to engage and run in elections, (like me, running for Town Clerk in the Town of Babylon). I am not certain there is corruption at this level (who knows) in politics, but there certainly is with county government and up.

Those stinking potholes!

Yes, we have a lot, So far I've been lucky and not hit one, but once you do, again, it can do a lot of damage to your car. Then you have to go through the hassle of getting a new tire and whatever else got damaged. It's somewhat annoying that we pay so much in taxes, and what are we getting out of it? In politics, we need new faces, new ideas, and the common man with a plan. The politicians here just recycle to another position once their term run out. I would list, but then this would take forever to read.

We need industry.

I wasn't living here on Long Island back in the day, but from what I understood from local residents, the economy was solid. There were huge companies that employed locals with great salaries. Many companies left to operate in another state where the taxes are lower. The largest employer now is Northwell Health, it's a health care provider on Long Island. We need more industry here that can sustain us than making making minimum wage at retail shops, even that's closing little by little, which means more people out of work. I guess everyone complains about this island, but people are fed up and uproot and move to another state , such as Florida or the Carolinas. I can see that, you get more bang for your buck. Like one resident told me, somethings got to give, no one can afford anything. The need for some sort of accountability is just a fraction of what is needed from the politicians who ran our state into a hot mess. People gave up and moved. 

The way I see it.

I'm going to have to agree with the local residents who want to stay here, something has to change. Most politicians here make close if not, over 6 figures, for what? Where's the quality of life? We can get on a path to a better quality of life with planning, making incentives to attract corporations to settle here and while chain stores are closing, lets aid the small businesses to recovery who employ our locals. 

Hope, pray and get involved in your community, there's power in numbers. If the politician you voted for is still in office and everything is still the same and getting better? Time to make that vote count! Thanks for reading and supporting this blog, as always I appreciate all feedback. 

Peace and Harmony.

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Supply and Demand. Child sex trafficking.

Supply and Demand.

 Child Sex trafficking has been in high demand for a long time. Sex trafficking is the second grossing money machine; Drug smuggling is still at number one. This is a global crisis and its sickening to even think that there's a market for this, but there is. The number one place that this occurs is The United States of America has the highest rate of sex trafficking. Now, with so many children that are being left alone at the border is a pedophiles candy shop. No parents to protect them, ugh I dread even the thought of an innocent child being mislead down the endless dark hole. Now not all is forced into sex trafficking, some are forced into labor-based exploitation. Mostly sex. The ages it effects? 10-12 years  plus, the United States has the highest number for sex trafficking victims.  

Here are the cities in the U.S. who have the highest victims of sex trafficking.

1. Houston, Texas

2. Washington D.C.

3. New York city, New York

4. Atlanta, Georgia

5. Los Angeles, California

6. Orlando, Florida

7. Miami, Florida

Scary right? 

About 10,000 children a year suffer the horrors of commercial sexual exploitation in the United States. Each victim on average are usually forced to have sex more than five times a day. Yet the buyers fuel this child sex trade are seldom held accountable. most of the perverts live in our communities and blend in with their families, jobs, and neighborhoods. Mostly a "professional" type. Because of this high demand, and the traffickers are filling that demand with supply. The demand here in the United States is a global one. There are men here traveling the globe to go to places like Thailand and other places in East Asia to purchase sex with kids. However, in fact the demand is so great, traffickers are filling that supply with our kids here.

Now according to the Department of Health and Human Services report , over 300,000 of the American youth is considered at risk for sexual exploitation. What's sickening, is that we are driving the demand with our own kids. A multitude of kids that are being sold as sex slaves to in America. These are American kids, American-born, 50 to 60 percent of them coming out of the foster care system! Bottom line, I know no one wants to even think that this exists, but truth be told, it does, in fact according to the United States Institute Against Trafficking, the United States is the number one consumer of sex worldwide. 

Pimps and traffickers manipulate children by using physical, emotional and psychological abuse to keep them trapped in a life of prostitution. Its very common for traffickers to beat, rape, or torture their victims. Some traffickers use drugs to control them.

Recruiters/Traffickers

These people are very charismatic and use charm, friendship, and promises of making great money. A woman is used to make friends with a girl and earn her trust. Then the victim goes with her, and now the victim is a commodity. Trafficking risk comes from vulnerability. There has been a spike in sex trafficking during the pandemic. According to the FBI, abusers are joining multiple social media platforms to target kids. The pandemic was giving predators more access to kids through online. 

There are organizations now helping with awareness, the victims, and their families. The most active is Child Welfare Information Gateway. They are a national organization that provides information on child sex trafficking intervention and prevention. 

There is a lot of good people out there that want to help, they outweigh the bad, this is a real life issue that needs to be addressed and more awareness is needed. I hope this isn't too shocking, for me it was. I read a book that I stumbled across on my kindle unlimited, One among us. That book changed my life, and if you read this, it will change yours too. It is non-fiction, however the circumstance are very real today.

A shout out to Geoff Rogers, co-founder of the United States Institute Against Human Trafficking.

Child Welfare Information Gateway. 

Information: 

National Center for Missing and exploited Children.

1800-843-5678

National Human Trafficking Hotline

1888-373-7888

National Sexual Resource Center

1877739-3895

As always supported by:

The Long Island Women’s Firearm Club is run by Long Island women

for Long Island women. We believe women should be able to defend

themselves with fists, as well as firearms. Not only to be able to protect

themselves and their families, but to help end the stigma around women

and firearms. What makes the club different from others is that we are a

sisterhood. We support one another and network within the sisterhood to

ensure we grow together.

www.LIWFC.org

https://www.facebook.com/groups/LongIslandWomensFirearmClub

LongIslandWomensFirearmClub@Outlook.com

631-517-3047

 

Survivng all types of sexual assaults and innapropriate touchings.

The sun will still rise tomorrow

That's what my mom used to say all the time if us kids were having an issue or a problem. she's right, but going through a sexual assault or inappropriate touching, its like total violation, disbelief and you want to hide. You feel isolated because who are you going to talk to? What are you going to say? Not to mention it is totally humiliating and embarrassing. We live in a great society where we are educated in how offensive and illegal it is for this behavior. Where any type of sexual behavior is no longer acceptable, especially in the workplace. We have come a long way from the 50's and 60's and I'm going to throw in the 70's as well. We have come a long way, but it's not enough. We need stricter guidelines, awareness, and consequences. Now most corporations have compliance and diversity trainings to keep their employees in the know, and have them sign off on it, so they are aware of these acts are not only not tolerated, there's also a consequence (termination). There's a few people in today's society who have not or just do not want to up to speed. 

                                                                        Coming out. 

That's rough. You are literally putting yourself out there for criticism. Such as, how come you didn't say this? Why didn't you just get out? Why now? That's something that is hard to explain. You think you're the only one, but you're not. Predators know how to seek out there victims They come across as being genuine and smooth. My accused was supposedly a Minister, he portrayed himself to be a  minister, but he wasn't, he was an Elder. Then you're shocked and stunned when it happens and then you're embarrassed or feel shame. Those feelings will fade fast or linger. Mine lingered. Cause now you're transiting into a new mode, anger. Me? I became angry, and started the process of pressing charges. The charge? Forcible touching. At least it was something right? I was not happy with that charge, it was a small consolation that's it is a punishable offense. I also sought support with a great organization called RAINN, the people there are available 24/7. They were a great comfort and I found strength in myself that I didn't know I had! Talking to someone definitely helped me to make progress. That's how Her-Community was created. I channeled everything that I wasn't, a strong and powerful woman. I wanted to empower women who needed it and celebrate how more and more women are becoming self confident and standing strong. 

                                                                 Pressing charges...  

After I filed the charges, I was so unsure that this was going to go anywhere. Again a predator is free to do what they want to do. The person was arrested and I was granted an order of protection. I realized, yes! this is going somewhere. I found out that patience is truly a virtue and soon we had a court date. I was prepped to be absolutely honest and importantly, if I didn't remember something, simply reply, I don't remember. After 2 days of me testifying, he was found guilty. I felt so vindicated, the purest of relief felt so euphoric. Its still hasn't ended yet, he's challenging the case, so he has not been sentenced. I can wait, time is a wonderful thing. Its helps you heal, grow, and appreciate humanity. 

Never blame yourself. You are not responsible for predators. You're main responsibility is caring for yourself! As always, peace and love! Here is some helpful info

National Sexual Assault Hotline (RAINN) 1-800-656-4673

This Blog is proudly sponsored by:  

The Long Island Women’s Firearm Club is run by Long Island women

for Long Island women. We believe women should be able to defend

themselves with fists, as well as firearms. Not only to be able to protect

themselves and their families, but to help end the stigma around women

and firearms. What makes the club different from others is that we are a

sisterhood. We support one another and network within the sisterhood to

ensure we grow together.

www.LIWFC.org

https://www.facebook.com/groups/LongIslandWomensFirearmClub

LongIslandWomensFirearmClub@Outlook.com

631-517-3047