Florida has seen an 11.5 percent increase in reported human trafficking cases, according to data released by the National Human Trafficking Resource Center (NHTRC). The report stated that there were 407 Florida human trafficking cases reported in 2015, which includes 302 cases of sex trafficking and 68 cases of labor trafficking. In 2014, 364 cases were reported.
Across the U.S. and overseas, cases of human trafficking have been on the rise. To address this growing problem St. Thomas University will host the Human Trafficking Academy, Aug. 1 – 5, 2016. The academy offers 15 intensive and interactive courses, taught by top-level experts, academics and practitioners. The courses aim to empower attendees with valuable knowledge, effective skills and tools to address the many aspects of human trafficking.
Speakers include:
- Dr. Roza Pati, STU professor, and director of the Human Trafficking Academy
- Barbara Martinez, chief of the Special Prosecutions Section for the U.S. Department of Justice, Miami U.S. Attorney’s Office, Criminal Division
- Greg H. Bristol, founder and president, the Human Trafficking Investigations & Training Institute (HTITI)
- Florrie Burke, consultant on human trafficking and modern-day slavery
Upon completion of the training, participants will be awarded a certificate by St. Thomas University School of Law.
Registration deadline for the academy is July 22. To register, please visit www.stu.edu/HTARegistration.
For more information, visit the Human Trafficking Academy website here, or email humantrafficking@stu.edu.
