Carlos Medrano Araujo
Baltimore Watchdog Staff Writer
In its effort to educate residents about human trafficking, Baltimore County will be offering two more webinars on the subject.
The next webinar is titled “Addressing the Complex Needs of Survivors” and will be shown at 6 p.m. on March 23 at the Baltimore County website. The fourth and final webinar is titled “Ask the Experts: A Community Forum” and will be shown at 6 p.m. on April 27 at the Baltimore County website. Attendees can register here.
County Council member Julian E. Jones, D-4th District, said the idea to provide the webinars was from the organizations Commission for Women, Maryland Departments of Juvenile Services and Human Services, Baltimore County Public Schools, GBMC Healthcare, the Baltimore County Police Department, the Baltimore County State’s Attorney’s Office, TurnAround, and CASA of Baltimore County, working together with the Baltimore County executive.
“I think people are responding very well,” Jones said. “The idea is to educate people on the issues surrounding and how to respond [to] human trafficking.”
The county is aware human trafficking is occurring in the community and wants to be vigilant, Jones said.
The webinar series was announced on Jan. 26 by County Executive John Olszewski.
“It is time for us to raise awareness of the unspeakable crimes that harm so many children and young women, especially young women of color,” Olszewski said at the time.
“The crime of human trafficking is complex, and it’s often misunderstood, so it’s critical that each of us understand the risks factor, signs of victimization and tactics used by these criminals,” Olszewski said.
County Police Chief Melissa Hyatt has said that the police department is committed to relentlessly doing its part and working with its partners to reduce human trafficking.
The victims of human trafficking have received and will keep receiving attention with compassion, respect, and dignity that they deserve, Hyatt said.
“Tragically, as most already know human trafficking is a crime that often goes unreported,” Hyatt said. “Illuminating this heartbreaking unreported issue can be accomplished through tools like public awareness and education.”