7th Annual Human Trafficking Symposium
Fighting Slavery: Yesterday, Today, Tomorrow
Let’s Make it History


Colorado Springs, CO – The Human Trafficking Task Force of Southern Colorado is hosting an anti-human trafficking awareness and advocacy day at the University of Colorado - Colorado Springs (UCCS) on October 25th  8:00 – 3:00 in Berger Hall.  The Symposium will bring together groups and individuals interested in learning more about Modern Day Slavery in Colorado. The event is free and open to the public and lunch will be provided. (but registration required)
Media and the public are encouraged to attend all events.  

The day’s schedule is as follows:

•         0815                     Human Trafficking 101 with JoAnn O’Neil

•         0900                     Kick off and Welcome

•         0920- 0955          History – Slavery and Early Abolitionist  with Dr. Thomas Krannawitter

•         0955-1005           Current Abolitionist Movement

•         1005-1035           CSPD Law Enforcement Update

•         1035-1045           10 Minute Break

•         1045-1115           Colorado Today with AJ Alejano-Steele

•         1115-1145           Local Abolitionists Making A Difference – Panel Discussion

•         1145- 1230          Lunch

•         1230                     Special Video

•         1250 -110            Victim Advocates – A lens in our community with David Shaw

•         110- 130              Legislation Update with Dan O’Bryant

•         130- 150              United States Equal Employment Opportunity Commission – Iris Halpern

•         150 – 205             Break

•         205 – 230             Advocacy Action

•         230 – 300             Wrap Up /Actions

The mission of the Human Trafficking Task Force of Southern Colorado is to build a collaboration of organizations and individuals to reduce human suffering caused by human trafficking, through advocacy, awareness, rehabilitation, and services for survivors.
We are excited to partner with our sponsors UCCS, Zonta Pikes Peak, Lexis Nexis, and Touching the World.


For more information on the task force, please visit www.ht-colorado.org

To register for the free event  Registration   


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Human Trafficking - Make it Personal

Thank you My Colorado View for sharing about the importance of trafficking - As citizens we must act  - It is our Communities, our Future.

There has been a tremendous amount of conversation in the media about Human Trafficking. The release of the State Department’s 2014Trafficking in Person’s Report and the FBI’s summary of Operation Cross County success has brought this to light and has been in the media during the last two weeks. To many people’s disbelief plenty of conversations are happening about the trafficking that is taking place here in Colorado. Yes, in Colorado. Recent arrests have taken place in Colorado Springs, Grand Junction, Denver and Pueblo.

I often get the question about how I personally got involved in this issue. I give credit to my daughter Chelsea for enlightening me on the topic and revealing the horrors of trafficking after she attended a youth conference seven years ago. My first step was educating myself on the subject and then taking a stance that I had to do something, anything really. Shortly after my awakening to the issue, I began to meet like-minded concerned citizens and the Human Trafficking Task of Southern Colorado was formed and led by our fearless leader Betty Edwards.

What is Human Trafficking? You might see it referenced as Modern Day Slavery. That is true; some state the fact that there are more slaves today than were seized from Africa in four centuries of the trans-Atlantic slave trade. The US State Department states, “The United States government considers trafficking in persons to include all of the criminal conduct involved in forced labor and sex trafficking, essentially the conduct involved in reducing or holding someone in compelled service.”

What can you do today to make an impact?

Education: Become familiar with the facts about trafficking. I will warn you once you start pealing back the layers this is not a pretty subject, so prepare yourself. You will either be moved in one or two ways. Moved to take action or remain motionless in disbelief.

If you see something that looks suspicious the best thing you can do is report it. Give as much information as possible so law enforcement personnel and others can act upon it. Volunteers monitor the Colorado hotline 24/7. We often suggest that you keep the Colorado Network to End Human Trafficking (CoNEHT) at 1-866-455-5075 stored in your phone and if you travel have the National Hotline at 1-888-373-7888 available. The National Hotline also has a text option; text HELP or INFO to BeFree (233733). We often warn people not to put on their super woman capes and go in for the rescue, let the professionals take care of that. However, your eyes and ears in your community can make a difference. Use your intuition, if does not “look” right, it probably is not.

Be an ethical consumer and employer. Find out how your actions can contribute to or reduce the demand for human trafficking. There are wonderful businesses’ along the Front Range of Colorado that sell products made by survivors. Buy locally and support small businesses. This just makes good common sense and helps business entrepreneurs.

During the 2014 Legislation Season, Colorado House Bill 14-1273 was passed with cooperation and sponsorship from both sides of the aisle. Imagine that, successful bipartisan conversation. The new legislation allows Colorado to take a stronger stance on trafficking. The bill focused on adding relevant language for protecting victims, prevention and persecution.

Bottom line make it personal.

6th Annual Human Trafficking Awareness Symposium

Human Trafficking Task Force of Southern Colorado

Saturday, October 19, 2013 from 9:00 AM to 3:30 PM (MDT)

Colorado Springs, CO

Free Registration

The 6th Annual Human Trafficking Awareness Symposium is a learning and networking opportunity modeled after TED Talks. The goal this year is to inform, inspire and involve the community to end human trafficking in our backyard. By hosting local speakers from all spheres of influence, we hope to provide the platform for others to imagine themselves in the fight to stop the trafficking of an estimated 27 million victims.


The Symposium will start a 9:00 am. Registration opens at 8:00.

Beyond Good Intentions

 

Completely devoured the book  Beyond Good Intentions by Tori Hogan.
It was one of those times reader/book connection.
Since, I feel I am on this quest to find out just what I should be doing.
Although, I will argue with myself and say I am right where I should be at this exact time.
I am talking more long term - Next phase - Big picture.
Her book makes you think about foreign aid and the business of foreign aid itself.
Ultimately, big and small programs can be successful or completely harmful and it is the people themselves that make the difference.
Just like in all endeavors. Right? But sometimes when you are too close to something you do not see it.

My support plan is all over the board at the moment
Locally
Zonta Pikes Peak
FOB Colorado
I am Created Equal
Human Trafficking Task Force

Nationally
USO
Home for Our Troops
Sevenly
Kiva
TAPS

I support two missionaries one in Greece helping refugees and one in Azerbaijan.

I occasionally throw donations at walks, runs and hikes for charity.
And then I support politics - My choosing

Official Sex+Money Documentary Trailer-HD