On the Front Lines: Raising Awareness of Child Trafficking and Exploitation in Connecticut's Schools - Hartford
April 23, 2019
According to Connecticut’s Department of Children and Families, between 100,000 and 300,000 American children are at risk for commercial sexual exploitation, and thousands of children are forced into domestic sex slavery each year, with an average entry age of only 13 years old. In Connecticut alone, DCF has received over 1,000 referrals of child trafficking since January 2008. Because victims are overwhelmingly school-age youths, Connecticut schools are at the front lines of this important issue.
How does this modern-day slavery epidemic affect your student body? Although student-victims will often continue to attend school, it may be difficult to detect the signs of trafficking. Traffickers target student-victims through social media, after-school programs, clubs, or through other students, and often go unnoticed by teachers, coaches, mentors, or other members of your school community. It is important for schools to recognize the signs that a student may be in trouble. This presentation will define child trafficking, aid schools in identifying the warning signs, discuss proactive response and prevention strategies, and outline tips for reporting and responding to abuse.
Join Shipman & Goodwin attorney Joette Katz (former Commissioner of the Connecticut State Department of Children and Families and former Associate Justice of the Connecticut Supreme Court), Department of Children and Families Program Supervisor Brooke Morris, and Public Health Expert and Vice Chair of Darkness to Light Dr. Lyndon Haviland as they provide this timely primer to Connecticut schools. Shipman & Goodwin attorney Leander Dolphin will moderate the seminar. The discussion will focus on topics including:
- Federal Definition of Human Trafficking: Trafficking Victims Protection Act (TVPA)
- What is child trafficking
- What is Domestic Minor Sex Trafficking (DMST)
- Prevalence of Child Trafficking in CT
- Pathways to Victimization
- Warning Signs
- Impact of DMST
- Who are the Exploiters and Buyers
- School Response
- DCF Response
There will be time for Q&A following the discussion.
Can’t attend the live program?
This program will also be offered via streaming video, click here to register for this option. All registrants will receive a recording of the program after the event.
Who should attend: Heads of School, Assistant Heads of School, Deans and Directors of Student Life, Superintendents, Assistant Superintendents, Executive Directors, and Special Education/PPS Directors, Board Chairs.
Seating is limited and registration will close when we reach maximum capacity for the event space. Please contact us in advance, if you are registering more than 4 attendees from your school or district.