January is Human Trafficking awareness month and our goal is to help shed light on the serious topic of Human Trafficking. You may of heard of the recent movie "Sound of Freedom", heard of human trafficking as a result of open borders, or heard of international human trafficking organizations and think this horrible destruction of human life doesn't occur here in Wisconsin or in your back yard. The fact is, every county in the State of Wisconsin has seen human trafficking offenses and the 94 corridor between Chicago and Minneapolis is one of the highest traffic areas in the country. Acts of human trafficking include sex trade, labor trade, and the commercial trade of digital material on the internet. 

Creating awareness of what to look for, how to provide help, where to find resources, and efforts by law makers will be covered in this community event. 

Our Keynote speaker, Jamie Counsell, MLS - Healthcare Law, BSN, RN, AA SANE, PA SANE is a forensic nurse examiner/coordinator in Emergency Department Trauma Center. She is focused on prevention, awareness & treatment of physical, sexual & psychological traumas. She is a national & local presenter/speaker on trauma care and a recent TEDx speaker on overcoming domestic violence. 

Special guest speaker Rep. Barbara Dittrich is a member of the Speakers Task Force on Human Trafficking and provide an update on legislative efforts including a new bill being introduced to help combat this horrible trade of human life here in our great state of Wisconsin.

Additional speakers will provide more information and resource tables from a variety of organizations will provide materials to educate, engage, and provide help. This event is free to the public and any donations will go to help offset the cost of holding the event with any additional funds raised to assist local resources in providing services to support the needs surrounding human trafficking locally.

Human trafficking cases have involved victims at ages of less than 1 year old and ages greater than 70. The cycle of trauma is many times hard to break as the victims are intentionally kept in a life of fear, violence and many times intentionally addicted to drugs for dependency. Each victim has a unique story but no victim ever realizes the life they are entering until it's too late. Due to the material and topic being addressed we request that those who attend under the age of 18 be accompanied by a parent of authorized guardian.