UAlbany Student Group Hosts Human Trafficking Panel Discussion

ALBANY, N.Y. (Feb. 6, 2020) – UAlbany student group SSTOP (Students Stopping Trafficking of People) hosted a two-hour panel discussion last week on what defines human trafficking and how the Capital Region is impacted by this crime.

The discussion, in partnership with the New York State Interagency Task Force on Human Trafficking, was at full capacity in the Campus Center Board Room and featured a number of local industry leaders:

  • Nora Cronin, human trafficking coordinator at the New York State Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance (ODTA)
  • Carl Boykin, director of human trafficking prevention at the New York State Division of Criminal Justice Services (DCJS)
  • Sarah McGaughnea, community outreach, training and support service program director at the Unity House of Troy
  • Mary Armistead, Crime Victims Justice Corps fellow for The Legal Project in Albany

New York had the fourth-highest number of reported human trafficking cases in the United States as of 2018, according to statistics from the National Human Trafficking Hotline. Last week’s discussion coincided with National Slavery and Human Trafficking Prevention Month.

“Human trafficking is difficult to spot and it is a topic that is not as popular compared to other crimes,” said Gabrielle Bartley, UAlbany senior and president of SSTOP. “I was pleased to see that the UAlbany community had an overwhelming interest in this event and wanted to learn more. Raising awareness on this topic through education is one of SSTOP’s primary goals.”

“SSTOP and the NYS Interagency Task Force on Human Trafficking provided an extraordinary opportunity for everyone to learn about New York State’s efforts to fight trafficking and assist survivors in the Capital District,” added Dennis McCarty, who helped organize the event and is a lecturer in the School of Criminal Justice and College of Emergency Preparedness, Homeland Security and Cybersecurity (CEHC). I certainly commend them for presenting such an important and informative event.”

McCarty teaches both a one-credit Honors College and three-credit undergraduate course on human trafficking. You can learn more about them here.

Students interested in SSTOP can join its Facebook group or email [email protected].