Anti Human Trafficking News from Dottie Laster: 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