MACo Symposium: Fighting Human Trafficking With Awareness, Advocacy, and Action

MACo’s Spring Symposium will focus on what counties can do and are doing to fight human trafficking.

DETAILS:

  • Date: Wednesday, June 12, 2019
  • Time: 9:30 am – 3:30 pm
  • Location: Blue Heron Center, Quiet Waters Park, Annapolis, MD
  • Dress for Speakers & Attendees: Business Casual
  • Registration:
    • FREE for MACo Members (County Executives, County Council Members, County Commissioners, and County employees) – REGISTER ONLINE
    • $75 for NonMembers – if space allows. A waitlist will be started for nonmembers. If space allows, nonmembers will be notified by June 3. Please contact avalliant@mdcounties.org to be added to the waitlist.
  • Interested in sponsoring? View the sponsorship options

DESCRIPTION:

Human trafficking is the fastest growing and second largest criminal industry in the world. Maryland’s location along the I-95 corridor makes it a hot spot for this illicit, dangerous, and dehumanizing web of activity. At this symposium, learn how counties along with their state and community partners are working together to raise awareness and take action to stop human trafficking in Maryland.

AGENDA:

9:30 am – 10:00 am
Check-in and Coffee

10:00 am – 10:15 am
Welcome and Introduction

10:15 am – 11:00 am
Exposing the Big Business and Hidden Nature of Human Trafficking
Human trafficking can generally be described as the illegal trading, either nationally or internationally, of human beings for the purpose of commercial sexual exploitation or forced labor — a modern day form of slavery. However, it can manifest in many forms… some more obvious than others. Hear from panelists about the seedy, illicit business of human trafficking and how to spot it.

11:00 am – 11:15 am
Break

11:15 am – 12:15 pm
What Hurdles Hinder Human Trafficking Prevention, Enforcement, and Recovery Efforts?
What challenges do anti-trafficking advocates face when connecting with victims and punishing perpetrators? What legal and legislative challenges do law enforcement and government officials face? What steps are being taken to overcome these challenges? Hear from experts and advocates from the frontlines of anti-trafficking efforts.

12:15 pm – 1:00 pm
Lunch

1:00 pm – 1:45 pm
Trapped, Trafficked, and Traumatized: Survivor Stories
Hear a first-hand account of the brutal realities of human trafficking from a survivor.

1:45 pm – 3:15 pm
Local Solutions to a Global Problem – Building Partnership and Creating Cooperation
Keeping their communities and community members safe from human trafficking and its impacts is a priority for county officials. Participants will hear more about how counties across Maryland are leading the charge against human trafficking, then have the opportunity to share challenges, strategies, and successes with county peers.

3:15 – 3:30 pm
Questions and Adjournment

Useful Link:

View the US Department of Homeland Security’s infographic on Human Trafficking for more information about this widespread criminal epidemic.