Last month, the New York City Faith-Based Coalition Against Human Trafficking and Domestic Violence committed to establishing up to 200 "safe haven/sanctuary" locations throughout New York City to combat the atrocities of rape, physical abuse, prostitution, etc.

As issue not just regulated to India and Southeast Asia, over 2,000 children have been subjected to human trafficking in the City of New York, according to the New York State Office of Children and Families.

Additionally, almost 200,000 domestic incident reports were filed in New York City in 2013 and over 800 domestic violence homicides were reported in the five boroughs between 2002-2013.

"One child lost is one child too many; one mother killed is one mother too many," said Rev. Que English, Chair, NYC Faith-Based Coalition Against Human Trafficking and Domestic Violence. 

The mission of the coalition is to gather men and women of faith from across NYC to work together to combat these issues in their respective communities by strategizing and implementing short and long-term action plans to reduce fatalities from domestic violence and human trafficking. 

Together, the coalition launched The "Not On My Watch!" movement.

Dorchen Leidholdt, a coalition member and the head of Sanctuary for Families, claims the trafficking industry must be disrupted by tackling the four B’s: the Business by prosecuting pimps and their accomplices; the Buyers who must be held accountable for fueling this criminal activity; the Bought who need meaningful assistance and alternatives; and the Bystanders who must be educated in city-wide congregations and communities.

A training tour will take place in all five boroughs that will equip faith leaders, city officials and service providers in joining the fight.

"I believe bringing the faith community together at this time to wage war against sex trafficking will save many lives.  It's the future generation that we must be concerned about," Bishop Hezekiah Walker, Senior Pastor, Love Fellowship Tabernacle Churches in Brooklyn, New York.

The events run between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. Click here to register for free online.

Here are upcoming dates for clergy training:
 

Thurs., Oct. 2: New Hope Community Church, 77 Alaska Street, Staten Island, NY 10310, Rev. David Beidel   

Fri., Oct. 3: Riverside Church, 490 Riverside Dr, NY, NY 10027   
  
Wed., Oct. 8: First Corinthian, 1912 Adam Clayton Powell Jr. Blvd., New York, NY 10026  

Sat., Oct. 11: Bronx Christian Fellowship, 1015 E. Gun Hill Rd., Bronx, NY 10469