School of Social Welfare Co-Hosts Conference on Human Trafficking, October 2

According to the U.S. State Department, 600,000 to 800,000 people are trafficked across international borders every year. More than 70 percent are female and half are children.

ALBANY, N.Y. (September 26, 2013) – UAlbany's School of Social Welfare is co-hosting a conference on human trafficking on Wednesday, Oct. 2, from 9 a.m. to noon at UAlbany’s Milne Hall on its Downtown Campus. The event, co-hosted by the State Office of Children and Family Services, is designed to raise awareness about human trafficking and increase knowledge among students as well as community members.

Participants will learn about the types of human trafficking such as labor-trafficking and sex trafficking, specifically child sex trafficking. They will also gain skill and practical application knowledge by learning about the federal Trafficking Victims Protection Act, the NYS Anti-Trafficking Statute, myths about human trafficking, how to identify when one may be interacting with victims, how to promote safety of victims, how to confirm and certify victims, services available to victims, and how to perform proper referrals.

Speakers include Lynn Baniak, policy analyst at the NYS Office of Children & Family Services; Christa Stewart, coordinator of Human Trafficking & Unaccompanied Children Programs, Bureau of Refugee & Immigrant Assistance, at the NYS Office of Temporary & Disability Assistance; and Lauren Pesso, director of the Human Trafficking Program at My Sisters’ Place.

The event is free and open to the public, but registration is required as seating is limited.

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