AUBURN — An internationally known activist and educator is expected to be among the speakers featured at this year’s annual conference on human trafficking, organizers say.
Theresa Flores is scheduled to share her personal story of sexual trafficking, slavery and survival at: “Not Here: A Call to Action Against Human Trafficking.” The two-day event, starting on Oct. 25, is an interdisciplinary conference.
When Flores was 15 and living in Detroit, she was drugged, raped and tortured repeatedly for two years. She was involuntarily captive to a large criminal ring and endured physical and psychological abuse as she was “sold to the highest bidder.”
Flores is a social worker now and international activist. She has appeared as a guest on the “The Today Show” and on MSNBC as well as the Discovery Channel. She also was featured on “America’s Most Wanted.”
Maine law enforcement officials such as U.S. Attorney Thomas Delahanty II and Maine Attorney General William Schneider are expected to speak at the conference, along with U.S. Marshal Noel March.
Other featured speakers include:
* Ken Morris of the Frederick Douglas Family Foundation.
* Ron Soodalter, author and historian.
* Anita Kanaiya of Oasis India.
* Arwyn Jackson from Amirah Boston, a safe-house in the Boston area.
The second day of the conference, Oct. 26, will present a more traditional conference format featuring small sessions with presenters and breakout groups.
A half-day forensic interviewing training session is scheduled on the second day for law enforcement workers. The training will be led by Homeland Security/Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
The first day of the conference is scheduled to start at 8:30 a.m. Oct. 25 at East Auburn Baptist Church. The second day is expected to take place at Central Maine Community College.
A fee includes all conference activities for the two days, printed materials and lunch.
The conference is presented by the Auburn Police Department, Foundation for Hope and Grace, U.S. Attorney for the District of Maine, Central Maine Medical Center, Central Maine Community College, St. Mary’s Regional Medical Center, East Auburn Baptist Church and the Not Here Justice in Action Network.
Those interested in registering for the conference should visit www.not-here.me or call the Auburn Police Department at 207-333-6650.
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