Paulsen Invites Anti-Sex Trafficking Advocate to State of the Union
 

Asks President Obama To Address Sex Trafficking In Speech

Washington, D.C. Representative Erik Paulsen (MN-03) announced today that his guest for this year’s State of the Union address will be Vednita Carter, Founder and Executive Director of Breaking Free.  In 1996, Carter founded the non-profit organization which advocates on behalf of women and girls involved in exploitation and sex trafficking.  In addition, Paulsen sent a letter to President Obama asking him to address sex trafficking in his speech on January 28^th before a joint session of Congress. 

“I am pleased to have such a strong voice and advocate for victims of sex trafficking like Vednita Carter join me for this year’s State of the Union address,” said Paulsen.  “Vednita has selflessly made it her life’s mission to help these women and girls who are trapped in sex slavery and exploitation.  I truly believe that working together with both parties, in both chambers, and alongside tireless advocates like Vednita Carter, we can find a way to end this awful crime and protect the thousands of victims.”    

Paulsen wrote to the President, “While there are numerous partisan fights that divide Washington, this is an issue where there are members on both sides of the aisle working together to enact solutions.”   The full letter can be found here.

Congressman Paulsen introduced the "Child Sex Trafficking Data and Response Act" with Congresswoman Slaughter (D-NY), which improves data systems that track missing children as well as provides proper designation to ensure victims receive the care and help they need.  In addition, he introduced the “Stop Exploitation Through Trafficking Act” with Congresswoman Gwen Moore (WI-04) to combat sex trafficking in American communities.

Information on  Breaking Free and Vednita Carter: 

Breaking Free is a Minnesota-based non-profit and social justice/social change organization founded in 1996 by Vednita Carter.  Every year, Breaking Free helps an average of 400-500 women and girls escape systems of prostitution and sexual exploitation through advocacy, direct services, housing, and education. Our main offices are located in St. Paul, Minnesota, with branches in Rochester and Minneapolis.  Breaking Free's doors are open to women and girls throughout Minnesota and the United States.

Meet Our Founder and Executive Director

Breaking Free Founder and Executive Director, Vednita Carter, has dedicated her life to advocating for, rescuing, and restoring victims of prostitution. She is an author, sought-after speaker and trainer, and an award-winning pioneer in the abolitionist movement. She has extensive experience in developing and planning programs for sex trafficked women and girls, and was awarded the Norma Hotaling Award for her life-long service to victims of sex trafficking.  In 1998 Ms. Carter was appointed to the Female Offenders Task Force by the Commissioner of Corrections, and she received an Outstanding Community Service award from Minnesota Women of Color for her work. She is a consultant to the United States Department of Justice, a trainer to the FBI, and has been invited to speak at the United Nations on the topic of prostitution and its impact on African American Women.  Recently,  Ms. Carter was elected to serve as Vice President  of the board for the Coalition Against Trafficking in Women and Children (CATW).  Also in 2013, she traveled to the Middle East and Asia to educate service providers and community members on Breaking Free's pioneering work. Most recently, Vednita was awarded the prestigious Path Breaker Award form Shared Hope International for her tireless efforts to reduce the demand for commercial sex. 

Paulsen, a champion of small business and advocate of free enterprise, entrepreneurship, and innovation, serves on the House Ways and Means Committee, the bicameral Joint Economic Committee, and is co-chair of the Congressional Medical Technology Caucus.

For more information on Rep. Paulsen’s work in Congress and to view previous editions of Erik’s Correspondence Corner visit www.paulsen.house.gov.

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