Over the past two weeks, students in Dave Wilson’s Contemporary Social Issues (CSI) class heard from various speakers on the topic of human trafficking. 

On Wednesday, November 13, 2024, speakers from Sanctum House, a sanctuary for victims of human trafficking, spoke to students about what someone who is human trafficked experiences and how Sanctum House helps them. 

Students heard from a real-life human trafficking survivor who lived at Sanctum House and utilized their resources to become successful. 

Then, on Monday, November 18, 2024, Sarah Pettey from Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) teamed up with Assistant US Attorney Ranya Elzein to talk about the laws and statistics behind human trafficking. They also spoke about real-life cases they experienced, as well as common tactics used to groom potential victims. 

All speakers reinforced to students that human trafficking can happen to anyone, including the young and old, boys and girls, and people from all walks of life and socioeconomic backgrounds. 

Monday’s speakers discussed targeted ways students could combat human trafficking by utilizing the HSI’s Strategic Target Outreach Program (STOP), an initiative designed to mitigate trafficking by engaging key industries and raising public awareness. 

Mr. Wilson brings in speakers about human trafficking to talk to his students every year. Last year, Sanctum House visited with another survivor, who shared her story and discussed the warning signs of possible human trafficking cases with students.