It is known as modern day slavery and an enterprise of buying, selling, and smuggling people second only to the international drug and arms trade economy.
The average age for victims of human trafficking is 12 and the markets are varied – domestic and farm labor, prostitution, begging and even organ donation. As recently as March 2017, such an arrest was made in Michigan’s Capitol City where law officials say simple awareness can help communities further fight against the crime. How are state legislators, law enforcement and human service providers collaborating to combat human trafficking? What are the intervention services, protection and judicial options for survivors? Given an uptick in this crime, how might state human trafficking policies be revised to reduce the incidence of such a horrific crime? IPPSR’s April 19 Policy Forum will address these questions with the help of panelists:
Jane White, Director and Founder of the Michigan Human Trafficking Task Force, a non-profit organization through the School of Criminal Justice at Michigan State University. She has worked with large city governments including police departments and juvenile courts in Michigan, Mississippi, Illinois, Wisconsin, Virginia, Florida, and California to tackle human trafficking. She serves the Michigan Commission on Human Trafficking by appointment of Michigan’s Attorney General Bill Schuette.
Sheila Meshinski, Staff Development Advisor for Henry Ford Health System, and a former emergency room nurse for 35 years, dedicated to educating the public and healthcare community on human trafficking. She belongs to the International Forensic Nurse Association and is a Governor’s appointee to the Michigan Human Trafficking Task Force.
Meredith Reese, Vice President of Treatment Programs for Vista Maria, a human services agency provider to victims of abuse, neglect, and trauma. She is a Best Practice Leadership Award recipient from the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services for her work in planning and implementing residential treatment and foster care programs for those most in need.
Kelly Carter, Assistant Attorney General of Michigan, Criminal Division, Prosecutor for Human Traffickers and expert advisor to House and Senate subcommittees considering legislation involving child sexual exploitation and human trafficking. She trains legal, health and other community professionals throughout Michigan to identify and address human trafficking.
Michigan State University’s Institute Public Policy and Social Research (IPPSR) is the host of this forum. Given Michigan’s international border and the incident of human trafficking across it, we appreciate the co-sponsorship of the Canadian Studies Center, International Studies and Programs, at Michigan State University.