Chester County Anti-Human Trafficking Coalition

Volunteer Opportunities: Yes

History

Since its inception, CCAT has grown to include members from law enforcement agencies including the FBI and Homeland Security, social services organizations including The Salvation Army, Crime Victims’ Center of Chester County, Domestic Violence Center of Chester County, government agencies, faith-based organizations and concerned citizens.

CCAT is a member of an anti-human trafficking regional partnership which includes coalitions from Bucks, Berks, Chester, Delaware, Lancaster, Lehigh, Philadelphia and Montgomery counties. The regional partnership was formed to share ideas, join forces, act regionally and provide information between the various coalitions.

After participating with the Philadelphia Coalition Against Human Trafficking; Dave L., Divisional Social Services Director for the Salvation Army of Eastern Pennsylvania and Delaware, and Liz H., at that time a social work graduate student at West Chester University, recognized a need for a similar organization in Chester County, Pennsylvania. Dave and Liz decided to establish a coalition and held its first meeting in September 2011 at The Salvation Army in West Chester.

Mission

"The Chester County Anti-Human Trafficking Coalition (CCAT) works to eliminate modern-day sex and labor slavery by increasing public awareness, advocating legislative action, supporting law enforcement, and offering referral services to victims and survivors. "