URGENT MESSAGE REGARDING THE REGIONAL ASSESMENT CENTER FOR PROSTITUTED GIRLS

Earlier this week, A Future Not a Past, a local campaign in partnership with the Juvenile Justice Fund and The Atlanta Women's Foundation issued the following e-mail urging citizens to take immediate action in calling Governor Purdue about funding for the Regional Assesment Center:

" A Future. Not A Past.
Stop the Prostitution of Children in Georgia

"An Update regarding Regional Assessment Center funds authorized during the 2008 session.

Since opening in June the Regional Assessment Center serving prostituted adolescent girls has been at capacity with a waiting list. On average, one girl a week is referred for help.

State Budget Cuts Hurt Prostituted Girls
Now the $560,000 you helped secure for the Regional Assessment Center is frozen. Without action the program will run out of funds in 3 months.

Given the state budget shortfall tough decisions are ahead for Georgia, but eliminating the Regional Assessment Center simply because it is a relatively new program is unwarranted.

In September the Governor will decide what state program cuts become final. Advocates have a small window of opportunity to raise concerns about the unfairness of cutting 100% of 2009 funds for this critical program.

Contact the Governor's Office 404.656.1776 today. Ask Governor Perdue to restore the $560,000 for the Regional Assessment Center."

Please distribute this widely.
# Campaign under way to end child prostitution- 8/24/08 AJC