Reclaim 13 event seeks to end child abuse, exploitation
Cassandra Ma, executive director of Reclaim 13, visited ABC7 to talk about the organization's annual gala that benefits its mission of ending child abuse and exploitation.
Over the last two years, Reclaim 13 has successfully operated Cherish House, a long-term, residential treatment facility devoted to ending the cycle of abuse and exploitation of children recovered from the sex trafficking industry.
"13" is the average age of entry into the commercial sex trafficking industry. Reclaim13's goal is to "Reclaim" a child's right to grow up feeling safe, loved, and free from harm.
About 293,000 American youth are at risk of becoming victims and the Chicago is a top location of "High-Intensity Child Prostitution," according to the FBI.
The average age of an exploited child is 13 years old and victims are most of the girls were sexually abused before they were recruited into sex trafficking.
The gala will be held 6 p.m. at the Hilton Chicago Oak Brook Hills Resort & Conference Center in the lobby of the Grand Ballroom located just inside the Conference Center entrance of the hotel.
Tickets to the black-tie optional event are $175/person and must be purchased in advance.
ABC7 anchor Judy Hsu will be the event's emcee.
To purchase tickets, visit: http://www.reclaim13.org/gala-2017
