Pace University Hosts National Conference to Combat Human Trafficking

Pace University’s Seidenberg School of Computer Science and Information Systems and Center For Wellbeing hosted its second annual Counter-Human Trafficking Conference, bringing together experts, advocates, and students to address the widespread issue of human trafficking.

The two-day event focused on crimes targeting women, children, and vulnerable populations, emphasizing prevention, policy, and technology-driven solutions. Attendees participated in discussions on training for law enforcement and healthcare professionals, victim support, legislative advocacy, and education.

“Human trafficking and violence affect every community, including college campuses,” said Pace University President Marvin Krislov. “At Pace, we are committed to supporting survivors and educating our community on how to recognize and respond to these crimes. This conference reflects the engagement of every school, faculty, student, and staff member at Pace.”

As part of the event, Pace University announced that it is the first institution in New York State to officially partner with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Blue Campaign, a national public awareness initiative designed to educate the public, law enforcement, and industry professionals on identifying and responding to potential human trafficking cases.

The conference featured a distinguished lineup of speakers, including:

• David Weiss, chief of the Human Trafficking Unit, Kings County District Attorney's Office
  
• Kevin Metcalf, director of the Human Trafficking Response Unit, Oklahoma Attorney General’s Office
• Jessica Lamb, survivor, leader and founder, Atlanta Redemption Ink
• Francine Bono-Neri, co-founder and president, Nurses United Against Human Trafficking
• Tina Wallace, detective inspector, Thames Valley Police Department, United Kingdom
• Anthony Kava, detective, Pottawattamie County Sheriff’s Office
  
• Susie Vybiral, founder and CEO, Room Redux

Darren Hayes, conference moderator and associate professor of cybersecurity at Pace, highlighted the role of technology in combatting trafficking.

“An estimated 400,000 children go missing in the U.S. every year, and some experts believe the actual number is even higher,” said Hayes. “Technology plays a critical role in finding missing children, from geolocation data to digital evidence found in online images. Artificial intelligence is becoming increasingly important in these efforts.”

Panelists also discussed how traffickers often exploit existing relationships to target victims.

“It’s important to understand how the traffickers exploit people,” Weiss said. “Sex trafficking tends to happen with people who know each other. It can start with a simple conversation with the trafficker asking the victim ‘do you need something to eat or a place to stay’ and that grooming process can happen over time. The practitioners need to recognize the situation now to offer assistance and to provide the tools so minors and other potential victims can recognize a situation as well to help keep themselves safe.”

A group of Pace University professors also offered their take on how to combat human trafficking on the How Pace is Making a Difference Panel.

“One of the most important things is to raise awareness so people are able to identify the signs and know where there are resources for help,” said Cindy Kanusher, executive director of the Pace Women’s Justice Center.

“Education about the prevalence and realities of trafficking and violence against women is an imperative aspect of prevention, as is working collaboratively across disciplines to provide holistic, survivor centered and trauma informed responses and help. And finally, we must always start by listening and believing survivors so they know they will be supported.”

Kanusher was joined on the panel by fellow Pace professors Christen Cooper from the College of Health Professions, Cathryn Lavery, chair of the Criminal Justice Institute and Amelia Wilson, director of the Immigration Justice Clinic at the Elisabeth Haub Law School.

Pace University students also took an active role in the discussions, with many emphasizing how the conference deepened their understanding of human trafficking issues.

“This is a good way of connecting with people in the industry, as I am looking to have a career in federal law enforcement” said Caroline Coscia, junior criminal justice major at Pace’s NYC campus. “I always like to expand in my understanding more on human trafficking and violence against women. We don’t talk about these subjects enough. Conferences like these help students expand their knowledge.”