Human Trafficking Conference Planned For Nov. 8 In Columbia

COLUMBIA, MD — The second annual human trafficking conference led by the Howard County Office of Human Trafficking will be held Friday, Nov. 8, from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. The conference is open to anyone from the community along with state and local law enforcement, non-profit partners and victim advocate groups, survivors and residents.

“Taking the Next Steps” will be held at Howard Community College (HCC), 10901 Little Patuxent Parkway in Columbia. The 2019 keynote address will be presented by Rachel Lloyd, founder of Girls Educational and Mentoring Services and the author of “Girls Like Us: Fighting for a World Where Girls Are Not for Sale.”

The conference will also offer four different breakout session tracks, focusing on awareness, life after trafficking, labor trafficking and prevention, and law enforcement. Attendees can choose sessions in any track (except for law enforcement, which is reserved for sworn officers only.)

“Spreading awareness about the commercial sexual exploitation of children, adult sex trafficking and labor trafficking in Howard County is just the first step,” said Howard County Executive Ball in a statement. “This conference will highlight local initiatives to support victims as they rise above adversity, and advocate for greater enforcement to eliminate trafficking altogether.”

A capacity crowd of more than 140 attended the inaugural conference last year. This year’s conference will accommodate up to 300 attendees, with activities spread among three buildings on HCC’s campus. Register online at https://HTAPHoward2019.eventbrite.com.