NJ residents travel to hotels in effort to save victims of human trafficking
Posted: Updated:Volunteers across the Garden State helped spread awareness Saturday about human trafficking.
As part of a statewide outreach program, residents headed out to hotels with missing children's flyers and bars of soap with the National Human Trafficking Hotline number on it.
"It's small--it's somewhat discrete but somebody who may be stuck in a bathroom can find that number and take it with them and make the call at the appropriate time," said Pastor Tim Kaetzel of the Evangel Chapel.
The initiative was started by the Church and Community Abolition Network (CAN), a nonprofit dedicated to helping locate victims of human trafficking.
Some volunteers joined the cause after realizing how prevalent the problem was in the United States.
"I just thought it was overseas or foreign and never really though that it could be so close to home," said Pamela Coscia of Hillborough.
Members of CAN say every time they do an outreach, at least one person is identified by hotel staff on the missing persons flyers.
CAN held five separate outreaches across the state in Bridgewater, Wayne, Hackettstown, Little Egg Harbor and Blackwood.
They were able to give out nearly 150,000 bars of soap.
Top StoriesNewsMore>>
‘The active shooters targeted the location they attacked’: Multiple dead, including officer, in Jersey City shooting
‘The active shooters targeted the location they attacked’: Multiple dead, including officer, in Jersey City shooting
‘The active shooters targeted the location they attacked’: Multiple dead, including officer, in Jersey City shooting
‘The active shooters targeted the location they attacked’: Multiple dead, including officer, in Jersey City shooting
Investigators in Jersey City say three innocent civilians and a police detective were killed in Tuesday’s shootout – as well as the shooters that were later killed. Mayor Steven Fulop now says some of the victims may have been targeted.Investigators in Jersey City say three innocent civilians and a police detective were killed in Tuesday’s shootout – as well as the shooters that were later killed. Mayor Steven Fulop now says some of the victims may have been targeted.35 Jersey City police officers killed in line of duty since 1881
35 Jersey City police officers killed in line of duty since 1881
The death of Det. Joseph Seals in Tuesday’s shooting now brings the total to 35 Jersey City police officers killed in the line of duty since the department started keeping records in 1881.The death of Det. Joseph Seals in Tuesday’s shooting now brings the total to 35 Jersey City police officers killed in the line of duty since the department started keeping records in 1881.‘It's a tough day for Jersey City’: Gov. Murphy, Mayor Fulop remember fallen Jersey City detective
‘It's a tough day for Jersey City’: Gov. Murphy, Mayor Fulop remember fallen Jersey City detective
There are heavy hearts this morning for law enforcement in the area, and all around the country, after Det. Joseph Seals, a 15-year veteran of the Jersey City Police Department, was killed in Tuesday’s shooting.There are heavy hearts this morning for law enforcement in the area, and all around the country, after Det. Joseph Seals, a 15-year veteran of the Jersey City Police Department, was killed in Tuesday’s shooting.Police chief: Officers investigating 3 crime scenes involved in Jersey City shooting
Police chief: Officers investigating 3 crime scenes involved in Jersey City shooting
Jersey City Police Chief Mike Kelly said the cemetery, the stolen U-Haul truck and JC Kosher Supermarket are considered to be crime scenes.Jersey City Police Chief Mike Kelly said the cemetery, the stolen U-Haul truck and JC Kosher Supermarket are considered to be crime scenes.Housemate of missing Ocean Township woman charged in her murder
Housemate of missing Ocean Township woman charged in her murder
The Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office has announced Ronald Teschner, the housemate of missing Ocean Township woman Jacqueline Terrulli, has been charged in her murder.The Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office has announced Ronald Teschner, the housemate of missing Ocean Township woman Jacqueline Terrulli, has been charged in her murder.
New Jersey SlideshowsGalleriesMore>>
Concert for The Rainforest Fund held at the Beacon Theatre
Concert for The Rainforest Fund held at the Beacon Theatre
Red carpet arrivals at The Concert for The Rainforest Fund at the Beacon TheatreThe Rainforest Fund 30th anniversary benefit concert was held Monday at the Beacon Theatre in New York City.Your New Jersey 2019 Holiday Photos
Your New Jersey 2019 Holiday Photos
From sparking holiday lights to fun Santa photos, News 12 wants to see your holiday photos!From sparking holiday lights to fun Santa photos, News 12 wants to see your holiday photos!Your December 2019 Snow Photos
Your December 2019 Snow Photos
December has already brought some snow to the tri-state area. Here's how the snow looked through your lens.December has already brought some snow to the tri-state area. Here's how the snow looked through your lens.2019 Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree Lighting
2019 Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree Lighting
The 87th annual Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree lighting ceremony was held Wednesday, Dec. 4, 2019 in New York.The 87th annual Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree lighting ceremony was held Wednesday, Dec. 4, 2019 in New York.The Download Photos
The Download Photos
The Royole FlexPai touts itself as "the world's first commercial foldable smartphone with flexible display."
Here are some of the latest tech items featured in the News 12 series The Download.
Here are some of the latest tech items featured in the News 12 series The Download.