The Temple Committee Against Human Trafficking (TCAHT) has been established to address the issue of modern slavery. We are directing our focus to female sexual slavery- a 12 billion + dollar international crime whose victims are primarily women and children. We are abolitionists. That is, we oppose all forms of sexual exploitation, the buying of sex and all attempts to legitimize and legalize the sale of others for so-called adult entertainment, prostitution and pornography. We work to end the demand by men to purchase the bodies of women and children for their sexual use. We are committed to creating a cultural shift in which society recognizes prostitution as abuse of women and children and, we seek to end the pervasive sense of male entitlement to sex on demand.

Our objectives are to:

• create awareness within the Temple community and the general public of human trafficking of women for sexual exploitation and slavery (and its links to pornography and prostitution)
• educate young people on the complex crime of human trafficking in order to create vigilance, curtailment of demand and an understanding of gender equality
• work as part of an interfaith coalition with other human rights groups which share our commitment and goals
• be a citizen coalition working with other NGOs, government officials and law enforcement
• address issues concerning the shared border between the U.S. and Canada by working with American NGOs and counterparts in government and law enforcement
• form a partnership with ATZUM Task Force on Human Trafficking to end human trafficking of women for sexual exploitation and slavery in Israel
• build a partnership of synagogues working against human trafficking and establish the Jewish Abolitionist Network
• be a resource center for others aspiring to join the anti-trafficking network
• support safe houses/shelters in Montreal for female victims
• host an annual conference on human trafficking prior to or during Passover

TCAHT is working with other human rights organizations and an interfaith coalition on issues of human trafficking/sexual enslavement/prostitution. In cooperation, we are adding strength to our citizen coalition to press for better law enforcement, stronger and more severe punitive laws, education of youth and protection and recovery for victims.

As Jews, we are committed to observing Pesach with actions that work towards recalling our own slavery. Our committee, its actions and its programs are driven by one of the highest of Jewish ideals, the fulfilling of the mitzvah, Pidyon Shevuyim. – redeem the captive.