At Issue & In Focus

Japan Disaster Relief: Tips for Giving Wisely

In the wake of the devastating earthquakes in New Zealand and Japan and its aftermath, the Attorney General’s Office encourages residents to consider donating to charitable organizations that can help those who have been impacted by this devastating natural disaster.  Relief efforts are currently underway and are expected to continue through the upcoming months.  In light of this ongoing effort, the AGO warns potential donors to protect themselves from fundraising scams claiming to benefit those affected by last week's catastrophe.

To best assure that your donation will be used for its intended purpose, the AGO offers the following suggestions:

• Check to see if the charity is registered and filing with the Attorney General’s Non-Profit Organizations/Public Charities Division. Registration and filing information can be obtained online at www.mass.gov/ago/charitiesreports or by calling the division at 617-727-2200 x2101.
• Know your charity. Take the time to verify the address, phone number, contact information, and review the website and written material, when possible. If you have any doubts, well established charities with experience in disaster relief are generally a good choice.
• Do not pay by cash. Pay by check, and make it out to the charity (use its full name; don't use initials), not the fundraiser. Never give your credit card number to a fundraiser over the telephone.

All charities and fundraisers operating in Massachusetts are required by law to register with the AGO.  This requirement also applies to businesses that advertise a portion of their sales will go to earthquake relief.  While registration with the AGO does not indicate that the office approves or endorses the organization, it does provide the public with valuable information regarding how long the organization has been in existence, its financial condition and its track record of complying with state registration and filing requirements.

For more tips on giving wisely to disaster relief charities, please visit the Non-Profits & Charities portion of the AGO website.

International Women’s Day

Today marks the 100^th International Women's Day (IWD) – a day on which thousands of events are held around the globe to celebrate women’s achievements and also shed light on the issues that continue to impact the health, safety and economic sufficiency of women.

The day reminds us that we have much work to do to ensure that women and children are guaranteed their most fundamental human rights. This year the Attorney General’s Office is working to raise awareness and take action on the issue of human trafficking - one of the most egregious human rights violations in the world – and an issue that unfortunately affects women in every nation.  

Human trafficking is a heinous crime of exploitation that involves forcing people to work for others for profit, whether through traditional types of labor or sexual exploitation and is considered the second largest and single fastest growing illegal industry in the world.  Experts estimate that 27 million people are trafficked internationally and domestically, bringing in $32 billion annually.

While many consider human trafficking to mainly involve women from other countries being shipped abroad to act as sex slaves, it is important to realize that human trafficking also occurs within our borders, not only in the U.S., but also right here in Massachusetts.   

This is why Attorney General Martha Coakley’s Office recently filed legislation that would, for the first time, establish human trafficking for sexual servitude or labor as a crime in Massachusetts, currently one of only five states in the country without human trafficking laws.  The bill, An Act Relative to the Commercial Exploitation of People, gives law enforcement the necessary tools to investigate and prosecute the crimes and attempts to address all three aspects of human trafficking – supply, demand, and victim services.   Specifically, the bill creates two new crimes, the crime of trafficking of persons for sexual servitude and the crime of trafficking of persons for forced labor.  The bill also creates an inter-agency task force and amends penalties regarding existing statues to address the demand side of human trafficking.

White Ribbon Day 2011

On March 3, 2011, men around the world will participate in the fourth anniversary of White Ribbon Day, a day where men and boys can take part in the solution to ending violence against women.  White Ribbon Day is an opportunity to change societal attitudes and beliefs that perpetuate violence against women.  The event promotes safety and respect in all relationships and situations and helps to build a network of resounding voices that will support and advance the initiatives and efforts of Jane Doe Inc. and its member organizations.

The White Ribbon Day Massachusetts 2011 rally, hosted by the Men’s Initiative for Jane Doe Inc., will take place on Thursday at 10:00 a.m. at the State House, This year’s campaign is co-chaired by Congressman Bill Delahunt and Michael Weekes, President/CEO of the Providers’ Council. The centerpiece of the campaign will be local White Ribbon Day Proclamation events held throughout the Commonweath from March 4th to 11th.

The Attorney General’s Office is dedicated to protecting victims of violent crimes in the Commonwealth. The office provides referrals and services to domestic violence victims through their Victims Witness Advocacy and Compensation Divisions. In 2010, the Victim Compensation Division provided a total of $742,144.44 to 317 victims of domestic violence and their families. Please visit our website to learn more about the resources and tools we can provide victims.