The GFWC Zwaanendael Women’s Club collaborated with the Delaware Anti-Trafficking Action Council May 4 at Cape Henlopen High School to spread awareness on the issues of human trafficking. 

Terry Yates and Bette Jayne Barney, co-chairs of the Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention Committee of the GFWC Zwannendael Women’s Club, said they were interested in hosting a communal event on the topic. Lewes Deputy Mayor Khalil Saliba applauded the women’s club for creating the event and spreading awareness on such a horrific issue.

Joyce Skrobot, a member of the GFWC Zwaanendael Women’s Club, said, “People do not see human trafficking as an issue in our community and country … Our goal was to spur people to advocacy and action to eliminate human trafficking.”

With more than 130 members of the community, as well as GFWC clubs in Selbyville, Milton, Dover and Indian River, the club had several speakers such as Dr. Sara Poore, the executive director of Delaware Anti-Trafficking Action Council; Adrienne Owens, a child advocate who works with victims; and Mandi Mendozae, a survivor of human trafficking. 

Mendozae provided her survivor’s story, discussing how she had been sold by her father, and was denied food, water, an education and several other basic needs before the age of 9. She was eventually brought into foster care after speaking out to a guidance counselor at school. Mendozae continued to struggle as she was told to “move on” from her trauma. Skrobot describes Mendozae’s story as a life-changing narrative that should encourage people to help others. 

The GFWC Zwaanendael Women’s Club hopes these stories reach the lives of others in the community to advocate against human trafficking. Some simple acts members of the community can do are posting flyers in bathrooms or distributing shoe cards to local businesses that provide lists of resources for victims small enough to fit in a shoe. People can also reach out to the DATAC or the GFWC Zwaanendael Women’s Club to inquire about what they can do to assist the cause.