The Rowan Center-A Sexual Assault Resource Agency

01/29/2026

Last week, the Trafficking Survivors Relief Act was signed into law—an important step forward for trafficking survivors nationwide. This legislation recognizes that survivors who were forced or coerced into non-violent crimes should not carry lifelong criminal records for their exploitation, helping remove barriers to housing, employment, and stability so survivors have a real chance to heal and rebuild.

Washington, D.C. — Today, President Trump signed into law Congressman Russell Fry’s (SC-07) Trafficking Survivors Relief Act in the Oval Office, with Congressman Fry in attendance, marking a major victory for survivors of human trafficking and a critical step toward restoring justice for those ...

01/28/2026

Human Trafficking Awareness Month is almost over, but the reality isn’t.

Trafficking happens here every day. Awareness helps, but access to real support matters more.

That’s why we’re still here. Listening. Showing up. Walking with survivors.

Not just in January. Always.

➡️ Find tools, education, and ways to take action at
therowancenter.org/get-involved/human-trafficking-awareness-month

01/23/2026

Wednesday’s Fairfield County Anti-Trafficking Coalition Symposium reminded us why coming together matters.

We’re deeply thankful to our partner hosts—PEHT : Partnership to End Human Trafficking, The Center for Family Justice, Inc., and Fairfield University's Murphy Center for Ignatian Spirituality—for creating space for honest learning and meaningful conversation. We’re also grateful to the panelists, partners, and community members who showed up ready to engage with complex and often uncomfortable realities.

As our CEO, Sharon Walker Epps, shared, “The panels sparked both inspiration and fear. That combination matters.”

Thank you to the National Center on S*xual Exploitation, World Without Exploitation, Stamford Police Department CT, Stratford Police Department, Love146, CT Department of Children and Families, and to the brave survivor who shared her story so openly. And thank you to Fairfield University for hosting.

We’re grateful to be learning, collaborating, and moving forward together—for survivors and for our community.

01/22/2026

We often think of trafficking as a faraway problem or one perpetrated by strangers who kidnap children, but trafficking is often perpetrated by someone who knows the victim and uses grooming to establish trust and control over them.

One way to protect your child is to work with them to make a list of trusted adults that they can talk to about anything. These should be adults you both agree are safe. Let the adults on the list know they are on it, and outline expectations for privacy with your child and each trusted adult.

If you or someone you know has experienced s*xual violence, abuse, harassment, or exploitation- whether in person or online- get immediate, confidential support through The Rowan Center’s 24/7 hotline. A caring, trained advocate will listen, provide resources, and help you with your next steps. You don’t have to face it alone—reach out today.

☎️ 24/7 English Hotline: (203) 329-2929
☎️ 24/7 Spanish Hotline: (888) 568-8332

01/13/2026

Grooming is a methodical process in which someone builds a trusting relationship with a child or young adult (and their family and community) to eventually manipulate or force the victim to engage in s*xual activities and exploitation. Grooming can take place in person OR online, and it's important that parents and caregivers understand what it is and how to respond if they suspect their child is being exploited.

If you or someone you know has experienced s*xual violence, abuse, harassment, or exploitation- whether in person or online- get immediate, confidential support through The Rowan Center’s 24/7 hotline. A caring, trained advocate will listen, provide resources, and help you with your next steps. You don’t have to face it alone—reach out today.

☎️ 24/7 English Hotline: (203) 329-2929
☎️ 24/7 Spanish Hotline: (888) 568-8332

01/11/2026

is today. We’re wearing blue to shine a light on human trafficking and the ways it affects our own community.

S*x trafficking can happen anywhere, including communities in Lower Fairfield County. It IS happening here. Children account for about 38% of identified trafficking victims, and girls are disproportionately exploited. Online spaces increasingly function as a recruitment and coercion channel, and financially motivated s*xtortion has surged in our communities, with boys aged 12-17 the primary targets.

Be aware, get involved, and let's all work together to protect our communities from s*x trafficking and exploitation.

If you’re wearing blue today, share a photo and tag us. 💙

01/09/2026

Join us for the Fairfield County Anti-Trafficking Coalition Symposium—a day of learning, connection, and shared commitment to preventing human trafficking and supporting survivors in our community.

📅 January 21, 2026, 9 a.m.–2 p.m.
📍 Fairfield University – Alumni Hall
➡️ Registration is required. Reserve your spot at therowancenter.org/fcatc

Hosted by PEHT : Partnership to End Human Trafficking, The Rowan Center, and The Center for Family Justice, Inc., this in-person symposium brings together advocates, professionals, students, and community members who want to strengthen how we respond—locally and collectively.

01/09/2026

If you or someone you know has experienced s*xual violence, get immediate, confidential support through The Rowan Center’s 24/7 hotline. A caring, trained advocate will listen, provide resources, and help you with your next steps. You don’t have to face it alone—reach out today.

☎️ 24/7 English Hotline: (203) 329-2929
☎️ 24/7 Spanish Hotline: (888) 568-8332

12/31/2025

As the new year approaches, there’s still time to begin it with purpose.

Every day, survivors of s*xual violence turn to The Rowan Center for support—and our Certified Advocates are often the first voice they hear. As we step into a new year, we’re inviting new advocates to join this community of care and help ensure no survivor has to face that moment alone.

Our next Advocate Training begins in January and includes:

📚 Classes every Tuesday and Thursday, 5:30–8:30 p.m., for three weeks
🎧 Weekly self-paced modules with recordings, readings, and assignments
📲 Mock call practice to build real-world skills and confidence

If you’ve been thinking about how to give your time in a way that truly matters, this is a meaningful place to start the year.

👉 Learn more and sign up today at therowancenter.org/get-involved/volunteer

12/31/2025

It’s the last day of the year, and the last chance to make your 2025 gift.

Take advantage of this year's tax benefits for your charitable giving! Be sure to donate to The Rowan Center before midnight tonight.
Your gift helps a survivor heal, protects a child from harm, and brings hope into the new year.

✨ There’s still time to make a difference at therowancenter.org/protect

12/29/2025

There’s still time to make a difference for survivors before the year ends.

Requests for support, services, and education are growing, and we can’t meet this need without your help.

Your year-end gift helps support our 24/7 crisis hotline, train new s*xual assault crisis advocates, provide trauma-informed crisis counseling and long-term therapy, launch new critical prevention programs that help our kids stay safe, and so much more.

Every donation helps someone in our community get the care they need with the urgency, skill, and attention they deserve.

❤️ Make your gift today at therowancenter.org/protect

12/27/2025

Did you know that 81% of women and 43% of men in the United States report experiencing some form of s*xual harassment and/or assault in their lifetime?

These are your neighbors and colleagues, your classmates and children, your family and friends.

Support these brave survivors by making a gift to The Rowan Center at therowancenter.org/protect

Together, we can change the story for our communities and make Lower Fairfield County safer and healthier for all.