Human Trafficking:
The Modern-Day
Slave Trade
Human trafficking: the modern-day slave trade. Men, women, and children forced, defrauded or coerced into slave labor and the sex trade.
This is not just a concern for the third-world. It happens every day in developed, democratic countries, including the United States. As a multi-billion dollar industry, it is second only to the sale of illegal drugs. The victims experience such extensive trauma that many are afraid to come forward for help, which makes it that much more difficult for law enforcement to identify and stop networks that prosper from human trafficking.
Through this year's series we hope to address the realities of human trafficking and expose some myths and misconceptions. More importantly, we hope to increase awareness of human trafficking and promote a desire for justice.
Event Schedule
12 P.M.
Scully Square
L3 (Labor of Love for Learning) Event.
Dominic Lombardo, Associate Professor and Director of Criminal Science and Pre-Law, will discuss human trafficking.
Pizza will be served.
7 P.M.
Snyder Academic Center Multi-Flex Theater
Aaron Brown, national director of operations, Destiny Rescue will speak about his efforts to end child sexual exploitation and slavery.
Read more about Aaron.
7 P.M.
Andorfer Commons
Magee-O'Connor Theater
Join for a viewing of the movie, "Taken." "Taken" will provide a Hollywood portrayal of human trafficking that can be compared to the following movie, "I Am Jane Doe."
Discussion is encouraged after the movie and will be led by Dominic Lombardo, associate professor and director of Criminal Science and Pre-Law, Susan McGrade, professor of English, and Cortney Robbins, associate professor of English.
7 P.M.
Andorfer Commons
Magee-O'Connor Theater
Join for a viewing of the movie, "I Am Jane Doe." "I Am Jane Doe" will provide a realistic portrayal of human trafficking that can be compared to the previous movie, "Taken."
Discussion is encouraged after the movie and will be led by Dominic Lombardo, associate professor and director of Criminal Science and Pre-Law, Susan McGrade, professor of English, and Cortney Robbins, associate professor of English.
7 P.M.
Snyder Academic Center
Multi-Flex Theater
FBI special agents, Chris McCarty and Jeff Robertson, will discuss the local human trafficking environment, its financial impact on the community and how the internet, specifically the dark web, contributes to its proliferation. Parents are encouraged to attend to learn ways to protect their children.
7 P.M.
Snyder Academic Center
Multi-Flex Theater
Theresa Flores’ presentation will discuss how it was possible that no one saw the signs of a child being trafficked and her path survival. It is a story that will make you angry, cry and laugh, and give you hope that we can help others from this horror. Learn the red flags of a person being trafficked, the emotional implications this has on victims and how to help them heal.
The workshop will teach the audience a more in-depth look at the effects of trafficking upon a person, including a special, rarely seen video from the eyes of a trafficker.
9 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Snyder Academic Center
Multi-Flex Theater
The Apathy Effect exhibit immerses you in stories of resilient young survivors of human trafficking from around the world. Experience the response of everyday people who were ignited with empathy when confronted by exploitation and the apathy that fuels it.
The multimedia exhibit and empowerment program is geared to ignite empathy and educate and empower participants with a response to issues of exploitation. The experience is told through original film, photography and artifacts with self-guided or interactive tours adding to the experience. Indiana Tech's campus counselor will be on hand for each event.
In addition to his role at Destiny Rescue, Aaron is an author of children's books and the founder of Impact 52, a service project that inspires individuals to change their world through kindness, love and service.
Aaron is married to his beautiful wife Erica and is the proud father of two beautiful daughters, Kelsi and MaKenna.
CloseHuman Trafficking Survivor, Best Selling Author, Founder of the SOAP Project
Theresa Flores is a human trafficking survivor, a best-selling author and founder of the Save Our Adolescents from Prostitution (SOAP) Project.
Theresa has been a licensed social worker more than 20 years. She was appointed to the Ohio Attorney General’s Human Trafficking Commission in 2009, and has testified before the Ohio House and Senate in support of human trafficking legislation. Her efforts have led to several bills being passed into laws. Additionally, the “Theresa Flores Law” was passed in Michigan; it eliminates the statute of limitation for children who have been trafficked.
She is a survivor of domestic child sex trafficking. Theresa was sold in an underground crime ring in an upper middle-class suburb of Detroit from age 15-17. She now works with other survivors and is the assistant investigator with Global Centurion, researching the mental and physical health problems of over 200 domestic trafficking survivors. The resulting study entitled “The Health Consequences of Human Trafficking” provides best practices and systemic recommendations for health care providers.
Theresa has received many awards, including the University of Dayton’s Alumni Association 2013 Christian Service Award for her work with SOAP. In January 2012 at the State of the State Address, she received The Courage Award from Ohio Governor John R. Kasich for her work in human trafficking. Theresa has published four books, “The Sacred Bath” and “The Slave Across the Street” (in the U.K. and U.S.) and “Slavery in the Land of the Free – A Student’s Guide to Modern Day Slavery.”
CloseBe Informed
To report suspected human trafficking: 1-866-347-2423
Human trafficking is a form of modern slavery that occurs in every state, including Indiana. The NHTRC works closely with service providers, law enforcement, and other professionals in Indiana to serve victims and survivors of trafficking, respond to human trafficking cases, and share information and resources.
To get help from the National Human Trafficking Hotline: 1-888-373-7888 or text HELP or INFO to BeFree (233733)
Counseling Services
The Indiana Tech/Parkview Student Assistance Program offers a variety of short-term counseling and consultation services to address the needs of students. All services are confidential and provided in a welcoming, comfortable setting, regardless of race, gender, religion, ethnic background, age, sexual orientation, citizenship or presence of a disability.
Our counselor, Tina M. Luther, MA, LMHC will be available as a resource at every event for anyone who needs support through the series. She is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor with combined experience of 18 years in the social services and mental health fields.
For more information visit our wellness clinic.
About Tech Talks...
The Tech Talks series is sponsored by the College of Arts and Sciences and the Office of Student Affairs. The purpose of the series is to promote active dialogue and awareness about important issues of social justice across the globe.
Through this series, the university hopes to achieve the following outcomes:
- Foster a sense of campus community and acceptance
- Promote critical thinking about the historical and social contexts of contemporary social challenges
- Raise awareness of global issues impacting the development of a just society
- Educate students on the ways in which global issues can be addressed through a variety of professional disciplines
- Engage the campus and the greater Fort Wayne community in joint dialogue on issues of justice
- Educate students on the role of empathy with those impacted by social injustice in the promotion of a civil society