WHAT IS IT?

The Freedom Connection Conference is an anti-human trafficking conference for students and community stakeholders to discuss issues relating to human trafficking in the DMV and collaborate on actionable human trafficking prevention strategies.

The conference aims to gather students (3rd/4th/graduates) and Rotarians to learn and critically think about issues around human trafficking and survivorship, develop their professional skills, and grow their professional networks.

Participants will learn and practice in-demand skills, critically engage with different perspectives on human trafficking and anti-human trafficking work, and participate in meaningful conversations that will help support their academic and professional career.

Central outcomes and activities include: 

• Understand human trafficking dynamics

• Learn about survivor healing, available services, and life after exploitation

• Explore law and justice around human trafficking cases

• Collaborate on ways for communities to support the anti-trafficking and survivor-leader communities

• Learn about the landscape of the anti-human trafficking field 

Day-Of Schedule

Sessions will be led by survivor-leaders and specialists in the field. Case studies and trends will focus on the DMV area. The wide range of sessions reflect the holistic approach required to tackle human trafficking and support survivors. Many of these topics intersect with other disciplines and professions. Bring your knowledge to enhance the understanding of human trafficking and survivorship!

Please see below for the topics and questions we'll be tackling in our breakouts. 

FULL GROUP SESSION

• Defining human trafficking: Here it from the Experts!
  1) What is Human Trafficking, and what does it look like here?
  2) How does it happen and who is involved?
  3) How does trafficking impact a person, family, community, or national security?
  4) How is HT a criminal, community health, and human rights issue?
  5) How are human trafficking and smuggling different, and how does one affect the other?

• The Survivor’s Journey: What happens after exploitation?
  1) What processes do survivors go through to seek justice and acquire services?
  2) What are the long-term impacts of exploitation on a survivors’ life?
  3) Victims of trafficking often go undetected.
  4) Trafficking victims may be arrested, charged, and prosecuted for a crime they were forced to commit by their trafficker. How does a criminal record affect their ability to thrive?
  5) What are some psychological, physical, and emotional trauma-manifestations for survivors of trafficking?
  6) What are trauma-informed practices, and how do they show up for service providers, and communities supporting the anti-human trafficking movement? 

BREAKOUTS

• Medical Impacts of Human Trafficking: How does exploitation impact someone’s physical and mental health? What medical services are important for survivors short-term and long-term? How often do victims of trafficking remain undetected for medical providers? What are the short-term and chronic medical challenges for survivors after exploitation? What factors contribute to their health and well-being?

• Best Practices for Volunteering, Awareness, and Education: Can community groups and volunteers support the anti-trafficking mission? How can volunteers most effectively make an impact to facilitate education of trafficking in their community, and support local service-providers? What are best practices for identification, response, and education?

• Labor Trafficking: What is it, how does it happen, who is impacted, what’s the impact on individuals and communities?What does justice and services look like for labor trafficking victims & non-US citizens? 

• Current Policy & Legislation: What is the current legislation around HT prosecution, justice, and survivor services? Where are the gaps?
  How common is compensation, restitution for survivors of trafficking? What are the punishments for perpetrators?
  How does research on human trafficking shape policies, and where are the research gaps? 

Student Audience 

All students will benefit from this conference; in particular, sessions may be most relevant to students interested in legal studies, social work, policy, global affairs, intelligence, law enforcement, psychology, community health and organizing, social justice, and international development.

Volunteer Audience

Volunteers who support the anti-trafficking movement and survivor-leaders also play an important role in spreading awareness and making change that protect the community. Sessions will provide education and guidance for established professionals who are passionate about anti-trafficking and seek to support the cause on a volunteer basis; within the volunteer community, our primary audience includes members of Rotary Clubs in the area. 

Who is hosting this event?

Freedom Connection Rotaract (FCR) is a student-led organization at George Mason University that is dedicated to human trafficking education, research, and ethical consumerism. Established in 2014, we have been involved with public awareness campaigns, information sessions, simulations, youth engagement, and research. This Conference is hosted by Freedom Connection Rotaract at GMU, in partnership with students at the University of Virginia Rotaract, and the Vienna Community Rotaract Club. 

Read MORE about SPEAKERS and SESSIONS at mason360.gmu.edu/fcr/home/