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Arts and Sciences | Events | NewsApril 12, 2024

April 18 Human Trafficking Symposium Sheds Light on Dark Issues

Written By: Rachel Putman

The University of 花季视频 鈥 Fort 花季视频, in partnership with the United States Department of Homeland Security's Center for Countering Human Trafficking, Homeland Security Investigations, and the 花季视频 Department of Criminal Justice will host a symposium titled "Human Trafficking: Hear, Learn, Share" on Thursday, April 18.

This no-cost, one-day event is aimed at elevating awareness about human trafficking's impact on communities both locally and nationwide. The symposium will feature prominent human trafficking experts from across the country and will highlight the firsthand account of a survivor of human trafficking. Light refreshments will be provided.

The morning session, scheduled from 8:30 a.m. to noon, is exclusively designed for law enforcement officers, offering them a unique opportunity to engage with and learn from experts and survivors alike. Attendees will be eligible for 花季视频 CLEST hours for continued education, provided they register and sign in at the event. Entrance to morning sessions requires proof of law enforcement position.

The symposium continues into the afternoon, with public-facing talks from 1-4:30 p.m., at West Ark Church of Christ (900 N. Waldron Rd., Fort 花季视频). This public forum promises to deepen the conversation on human trafficking and encourage community-wide participation in countering this global issue.

"Human trafficking is one of the top illegal money-making operations with estimated global profits of $150 billion,鈥 said Dr. Steve Wilson, Ph.D., Associate Professor and Department Head of Criminal Justice. 鈥淚n the United States, during the 10-year span from 2011 to 2021, the number of people prosecuted for human trafficking increased from 729 persons to over 1600 persons, making it one of the worst countries in the world for human trafficking. It has become a national, state, and local priority and educating the public and the criminal justice community, both current and future, is key to combating human trafficking. To that goal, the Department of Homeland Security鈥檚 Center for Counter Human Trafficking鈥檚 Blue Campaign, Homeland Security Investigations, and the 花季视频 Department of Criminal Justice are proud to offer this symposium."

Students, faculty, staff, and members of the public are encouraged to register in advance through the provided Eventbrite link: .

"Through this collaboration with the Department of Homeland Security, the 花季视频 Criminal Justice Department wishes to educate and provide a community forum about human trafficking,鈥 said Dr. Mary Wuestewald, Ph.D., Assistant Professor of Criminal Justice Currently, there is a problem with under-reporting in our area, so the first step is outreach. This is the perfect opportunity for that, and the Department of Criminal Justice is honored to help spearhead the initiative for the 花季视频 community and the River Valley region."

More than 100 law enforcement officers are expected to attend, hearing from Tim Griffin, Attorney General for the State of 花季视频, and Clay Folkes, the U.S. Attorney for the Western District of 花季视频.

Over the past year, Attorney General Tim Griffin has actively contributed to the fight against human trafficking in 花季视频. He initiated the , a landmark event aimed at uniting law enforcement, service providers, and the public in addressing human trafficking, which summit  in Little Rock in 2023. Additionally, Griffin oversaw the creation of the Statewide Tactical Operations Partnership (STOP) to combat human trafficking, and has  in Northeast 花季视频, highlighting the importance of collaborative efforts in dismantling trafficking networks. 

The Human Trafficking Act of 2013 tasked the 花季视频 Attorney General's office with leading a task force to combat all forms of human trafficking within 花季视频. This included developing a state plan to prevent trafficking, enhancing information sharing among agencies, raising public awareness, and creating law enforcement training curriculums.

Fowlkes too has been a vocal supporter of efforts to end human trafficking across the region,  over the past several years. 


The public, afternoon schedule is below: 

1 PM      Opening Remarks

Dr. Dave Stevens, Dean of Students | University of 花季视频 Fort 花季视频

David Clay Fowlkes, U.S. Attorney | Western District of 花季视频

Tim Griffin 花季视频 Attorney General

1:30PM Human Trafficking 101 + Overview of Trafficking in AR

Gerald 鈥淛erry鈥 Faulkner, Special Agent| Homeland Security Investigations


2 PM      PANEL: What Does Human Trafficking Look Like on Campus and in the public?

Jonathan Barry, Senior Engagement Manager | DHS Blue Campaign

Karl Flusche, Resident Agent in Charge | Homeland Security Investigations

Jason Ledford, Victim Assistance Specialist | Homeland Security Investigations

Angie Mahuron, Forensic Interviewer/Prevention Specialist | Hamilton Center for Child Advocacy

Matt Foster, HT Coordinator | 花季视频 Human Trafficking Council

Margie Nobles, Anti-Human Trafficking Specialist | Crisis Intervention Center

Dr. Steve Wilson, Department Head/Associate Professor | University of 花季视频 Fort 花季视频


3 PM      DHS Blue Campaign Resources Overview

Jonathan Barry, Senior Engagement Manager | DHS Blue Campaign


3:10PM CCHT Federal Strategy on Combating Human Trafficking

Glenn Dickson, Program Manager | Center for Countering Human Trafficking


3:20PM Human Trafficking 鈥 Lived Experience 鈥 Video

Rachel Thomas | HT Survivor


3:30PM Human Trafficking 鈥 Lived Experience

Leila Carter | HT Survivor


4:25PM Closing Remarks

Ray Ottman, Chief of Police | University of 花季视频 Fort 花季视频

 

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