For this webinar, NIFA invited professionals who are dedicated to combatting something that most of us rarely think about but is surprisingly prevalent in our state: human trafficking. Moderated by Christie Weston, NIFA Deputy Director.
Kathy Kemler (Coalition on Human Trafficking) informed us about her organization, which began operations in 2014. The Coalition’s mission is to eliminate human trafficking through awareness and education. They do this by providing information to mobilize people to realize, recognize, and respond to signs of human trafficking. While they educate many different groups, their flagship program is educating hotel and motel staff. She shared with us how to best respond when you suspect human trafficking.
Next, Julie Shrader (Founder and CEO of Rejuvenating Women) described what her organization does for women on the other side of human trafficking, affording hope and restoration to trafficked individuals by providing short and long-term therapeutic housing programs. They utilize a variety of different therapy options, including talk, animal (dog, equine, etc.), and art.
Finally, we took a call from Supervisory Special Agent John Hallock (FBI), who manages the FBI’s Violent Crimes Against Children and Human Trafficking units for both Nebraska and Iowa. Special Agent Hallock discussed how the Bureau combats human trafficking, from monitoring social media platforms for child enticement to training property managers, property owners, people who run apartment complexes, and maintenance workers because their “eyes and ears are what count.”
If you suspect human trafficking, please call the National Trafficking Hotline at 1 (800) 3737-888 or text BEFREE (233733). For an emergency, please call 911.
Kathy Kemler (Coalition on Human Trafficking) informed us about her organization, which began operations in 2014. The Coalition’s mission is to eliminate human trafficking through awareness and education. They do this by providing information to mobilize people to realize, recognize, and respond to signs of human trafficking. While they educate many different groups, their flagship program is educating hotel and motel staff. She shared with us how to best respond when you suspect human trafficking.
Next, Julie Shrader (Founder and CEO of Rejuvenating Women) described what her organization does for women on the other side of human trafficking, affording hope and restoration to trafficked individuals by providing short and long-term therapeutic housing programs. They utilize a variety of different therapy options, including talk, animal (dog, equine, etc.), and art.
Finally, we took a call from Supervisory Special Agent John Hallock (FBI), who manages the FBI’s Violent Crimes Against Children and Human Trafficking units for both Nebraska and Iowa. Special Agent Hallock discussed how the Bureau combats human trafficking, from monitoring social media platforms for child enticement to training property managers, property owners, people who run apartment complexes, and maintenance workers because their “eyes and ears are what count.”
If you suspect human trafficking, please call the National Trafficking Hotline at 1 (800) 3737-888 or text BEFREE (233733). For an emergency, please call 911.
