Youth Event will Discuss Human Trafficking

human-trafficking

Human trafficking is the fastest-growing and second-largest criminal enterprise in the world, generating an estimated $150 billion annually. Trafficking and exploitation can be found in communities of all kinds. In 2015, the Indiana State Police investigated more than 60 incidents of trafficked or exploited youth.

The Indiana Youth Institute and its community partners are hosting a special training session to help caring adults in the community learn how to recognize signs and identify the victims of human trafficking. The workshop is on Wednesday, Feb. 14 from 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at Christian Redemptive Church, 1450 Energy Drive in Jasper.

Christina Wicks, southwest regional coordinator of Indiana Trafficking Victims Assistance Program (ITVAP), Indiana Youth Services Association (IYSA), will speak at the event. Wicks will provide information about human trafficking and exploitation as it relates to our youth population. Attendees will learn what human trafficking is and the scope of the problem, how to recognize potential traffickers, what “red flag” factors put youth at risk of victimization and how to identify victims and what intervention and victim services are available.

As part of IYI’s Youth Worker Café program, the seminar and lunch are free, but reservations are required. Attendees may RSVP by going to www.iyi.org/calendar. Please contact IYI State Outreach Manager Debbie Jones at djones@iyi.org for registration issues. For more information about the event, attendees may contact IYI Senior Southwest Outreach Manager Joe Shrode at  jshrode@iyi.org. In the event that Greater Jasper Consolidated Schools are closed due to weather, this event will be rescheduled.

The event is funded in part by Bartha. The event is a collaboration between Crisis Connection, Purdue Extension and IYI. Youth Worker Cafés are designed to bring together local youth workers to build relationships and inspire collaborations that will benefit children.

The Indiana Youth Institute promotes the healthy development of Indiana children and youth by serving the people, institutions and communities that impact their well-being.