Local law enforcement officers, grassroots non-profit humanitarian leaders and a trafficking survivor along with Rep. Chris Smith (R-Manchester) took part in a panel today at the Monmouth County Human Trafficking Symposium.  Organized by Monmouth County Sheriff Shaun Golden, the event was aimed at enhancing awareness about the scourge of modern-day slavery and highlighting efforts at the local, state and federal levels to combat the fastest growing criminal enterprise in the world.

            “It will take each and every one of us to end this heinous crime—we must each be aware, educated, and act to prevent it, protect victims, and prosecute traffickers,” said Smith, who authored the nation’s historic law—the Trafficking Victims Protection Act of 2000­­—that created a comprehensive, whole-of-government initiative to combat sex and labor trafficking in the United States and around the world.

            “Through a survivor-informed approach, we are building effective victim-centered and trauma-informed anti-trafficking strategies at the municipal, county, state, federal and international level,” said Smith, who is chairing his 41st congressional hearing on human trafficking on Friday that will include testimony from three survivors as well as Trafficking In Persons Ambassador-at-Large Cindy Dyer, the point person for the Biden Administration on combating human trafficking.

            Hosted by Sheriff Golden at the Monmouth County Sheriff’s Office Public Safety Center in Freehold, the symposium included compelling testimony from trafficking survivor Gina Cavallo, who serves as a Board Member at NJ Coalition Against Human Trafficking. Other panelists included Monmouth County Prosecutor Raymond Santiago; Suzanne Spernal, Senior Vice President of RWJBarnabas Health Women’s Services; and Julia Einbond, Esq., Associate Executive Director of Covenant House (CHART).

Among the many programs highlighted at the event were outreach initiatives by law enforcement officers at the Monmouth County Sheriff’s Office who are travelling to areas that are especially susceptible to human trafficking—including hotels, motels and shopping areas—to inform community members and spread awareness.

            Smith, who has authored five anti-trafficking laws, noted he plans to introduce the Frederick Douglass Trafficking Victims Prevention and Protection Reauthorization Act in the coming days to further strengthen and expand US anti-trafficking programs. A similar bill authored by Smith passed the House last July but stalled in the Senate.

            “The new Frederick Douglass Act ramps up prevention and protection efforts against trafficking of children and expands situational awareness training for elementary and secondary school students that I first included in my 2019 law,” Smith said.

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