Kansas Social Workers and Law Enforcement Receive Human Trafficking Training

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

DCF social workers, Kansas law enforcement officials train to detect, combat human trafficking
Dozens of social workers and law enforcement personnel around Kansas recently completed training designed to further understanding of human trafficking and help prevent the modern day form of slavery.

Separate, identical classes focused on human trafficking were held in Hays, Wichita and Topeka. Kansas Department for Children and Families social workers, as well as Kansas Highway Patrol troopers, gained a broader understanding of trafficking from nationally renowned expert Dottie Laster.

“Dottie’s training is focused on the supply and demand of human trafficking. The blame does not just lie with the perpetrators who enslave and subjugate, but also with anyone who knowingly uses products or services that rely on the exploitation of others,” said DCF Secretary Phyllis Gilmore. “It’s important for social workers and law enforcement in our state to be well informed about modern-day slavery and how to rescue victims.”

Approximately 140 DCF social workers and Highway Patrol troopers attended one of the three training sessions.

"I was so honored to tour Kansas and meet such dedicated professionals who are making Kansas safe for trafficking victims, especially children, and unwelcoming for traffickers,” Dottie Laster said. “I look forward to returning next year and building on the foundation we were able to create."

Criminal traffickers use force, fraud or coercion to control and exploit their victims by forcing them into prostitution, domestic servitude or forced labor. The training emphasizes identifying and working directly with human trafficking victims. Participants learned how to recognize factors that indicate human trafficking and gained an understanding of the mindset of a victim, who may not be aware of their victimhood or feel comfortable seeking help.

"Everyone walked out with something new and a broader understanding of the problem,” said Toni Schuckman, DCF Wichita assistant regional director.

In recent years an investigation into organized crime in Houston, Texas revealed minors from Kansas who were trafficked and forced into prostitution.

Following the employee and law enforcement training, Laster delivered a human trafficking overview to educate faith-based and community leaders in Johnson County. Laster led the training overview of human trafficking awareness and facilitated a question and answer session.

“Dialogue was dynamic and the audience was engaged,” said Deputy Secretary Pilato, who also serves on the Kansas Human Trafficking Advisory Board.

Kansas statutes related to human trafficking require a prison term of 25 years to life if the victims of sex trafficking are under 14 years old. State statute also deems that even if a minor participates willingly, they are still the victim of trafficking. All who knowingly benefit from human trafficking are guilty and can be prosecuted under Kansas law.

There are an estimated 100,000 U.S. citizen children exploited in the commercial sex industry annually, according to the U.S. State Department. Cases have been investigated in all 50 states.


Contact:
Rachel Whitten
(785) 296-0537
rachel.whitten@dcf.ks.gov

Dottie Laster is available for presentations and training for organizations, churches, law enforcement and anyone interested in eradicating human slavery and trafficking. To bring Dottie to your next event, contact Laster Global Consulting or ImaginePublicity phone: 843.808.0859 email: contact@imaginepublicity.com

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How New Technology Has Affected My Life

Keeping up with new technology?

When I first went to college in 1982 I took typing classes and could not type without mistakes. At that time you had to use correction tape or white out- My papers were always fill of white out-

I remember thinking of how much I wish there were a way to correct the type before it went onto the paper. Also we had the “new” technology of call waiting, cable, and personal computers with the memory of a gnat.

I returned to college almost 20 years later and was hit with a wave of evolving technology. I could not type without whiteout however learning new programs, adapting to how computers with increasing memory and speed “think” was so daunting in addition to the subjects. I was behind the technology curve. I had been a horse trainer and was not in use of much more than a cell phone ( that was actually just a phone) and cable. I remember being scared of the programs. In statistics, our professor was sailing along with formulas and equations while I was just trying to open the program.

Now, I laugh at those first days- I am much more versatile with the ever changing and improving technology. I am not a digital native but I can hold my own.

What has been a downside to this amazing advance in technology is that it has made many bad things more accessible and grow rapidly- such as human trafficking. What I am struggling to keep up with, and use effectively are ways to introduce and educate parents and children about the tactics of recruiters for human traffickers. They are literally waiting around every virtual corner. I see so many victims targeted repeatedly by schemes and plans for criminals that participate in the second largest crime in the world. The internet and social/gaming sites have opened the world to traffickers to recruit, exploit and sell victims of the flesh trade and forced labor. This seems overwhelming at times however we have turned the tables on the traffickers and used the same technology to expose them and rescue victims.

An example is when a victim reached out for help using google satellite maps, isp addresses and other data we were able to send a private investigator to the front door of a victim who did not even know where she was. She was rescued safely however the traffickers have continued to stalk her for over 2 years online and attempt to re-victimize her.

In working in this field of combating trafficking, the only way I see to be safe and connected is to be as knowledgeable as possible about the new technologies and the ways in which they are used. We offer courses for parents and teachers about new technology and human trafficking.

To host a training for your group contact www.imaginepublicity.com  or  www. lasterglobal.com for more information or call 210-882-2259.

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Dottie Laster Speaking on May 12 at Women of Vision Event in Austin, Texas

 

  Women of Vision is a volunteer ministry of World Vision, mobilizing and uniting women called to invest their time, intellect, compassion, creativity, and finances so impoverished women and children might find hope and experience a tangible expression of God's love.

 The Austin, Texas Chapter of Women of Vision has cordially invited Dottie Laster of Laster Global Consulting and the Bernardo Kohler Center, to speak at their upcoming meeting:

Saturday, May 12^th  10am to 11:30am  at Bethany United Methodist Church, 10010 Anderson Mill Rd. Austin TX 78750.   Room D305.  

The group has been called to the issue of trafficking and has committed to becoming more educated about the issue in Texas.   Wanting a better understand the challenges being faced locally, what is working in this area, what is not, and any opportunities for local service.

  Dottie Laster's list of credentials in the field of human trafficking training and advocacy is extensive. She has been instrumental in creating task forces, coalitions and advocacy groups all across the country. She also works directly with law enforcement in the area of training, as well as rescue and restoration of victims of trafficking, and most recently was called in to consult on the Long Island Serial Killer case.  She has been a consultant, producer, and has appeared in several films and television shows, and has hosted her own internet radio show, Trafficked to further reach the masses with information. Currently Laster is the Anti-Trafficking Coordinator with the Bernardo Kohler Center as an accredited representative recognized by the Bureau of Immigration Appeals under BKC. 

 Dottie Laster is available for speaking engagements, media opportunities and intensive training and workshops. Please contact ImaginePublicity for details. (contact@imaginepublicity.com or 843.808.0859)

 Download:  Dottie Laster Media Kit

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• Dottie Laster Presenting at Conference on Crimes Against Women, March 26-28 (imaginepublicity.com)
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