By Brandon Moseley
Alabama Political Reporter
The Alabama Human Trafficking Task Force was created by Joint House Resolution 270 passed by the Alabama Legislature in April of 2014. The Task Force was charged with developing a plan to fight the growing specter of human trafficking, particularly of women, in and through Alabama. The Task Force announced in a written statement that they will host the Alabama Human Trafficking Summit on Friday, January 30, from 9 AM to 4:45 PM at the First Baptist Church of Montgomery at 305 S Perry St in Montgomery, Alabama.
Several presenters and speakers have already been confirmed. These include: Linda Smith the Founder & President of Shared Hope International; Alabama Attorney General Luther Strange (R); State Representative Jack Williams who Chairs the Alabama Human Trafficking Task Force; Tajuan McCarty who is the Founder of The Wellhouse; the Acting Deputy Director of the US Human Smuggling and Trafficking Center Rachel Ross; the Chair of the Huntsville/Madison County Human Trafficking Task Force Pat McCay; the Deputy Director of the Alabama District Attorney’s Association Barry Matson; Assistant US Attorney Daniel Fortune; and Teresa Collier who is an Intelligence Analyst for the Alabama Fusion Center.
The daylong event is open to the public. The registration fee is $50 per person and includes a continental breakfast, lunch, and program materials.
Friday, January 23, is the deadline to register for the Summit. Online payment and printable registration forms are available at their website: www.enditalabama.org
Sponsorships are still available for the Summit. For more information contact Fundraising Chair David Pinkleton at 256-714-1142 or enditalabama@gmail.com
Federal law enforcement authorities met on Thursday, January 15, to discuss the growing human trafficking problem. US Attorney George Beck Jr. said in a written statement. “January is Human Trafficking Prevention month, and I am pleased that we can gather together for meaningful discussions and training on this vital subject. It is critical that citizens and law enforcement be more proactive and take every opportunity to learn how to recognize the signs of a terrible crime that results in the abuse, intimidation, and enslavement of women and children.”
The Federal government established the Middle District of Alabama Human Trafficking Task Force in 2009. Their mission is “To Find and Free” victims of human trafficking. The Task Force is a partnership between the US Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Alabama and the Montgomery County District Attorney’s Office and consists of Federal, State, and Local partners within the River Region and from the 23 counties which comprise the Middle District of Alabama.
The Alabama Human Trafficking Task Force in April 2014. The Task Force meets once a quarter at the Alabama State House.
According to the US Department of Health and Human Services human trafficking is recognized as “a modern-day form of slavery” and “is tied with the illegal arms industry as the second largest criminal industry in the world today.” There are two major forms of human trafficking: labor or sex trafficking. Labor trafficking may include forced labor or debt bondage in which the victim continually works to pay off an undefined and seemingly endless debt.
