October 22, 2019
Media Contacts:
Scott Peterson, Director of Communications, 410-313-4023
Cheryl Mattis, Deputy Director, Department of Community Resources and Services, 410-313-6427 (voice/relay)
ELLICOTT CITY, MD – Howard County Executive Calvin Ball and the Office of Human Trafficking Prevention will hold the second annual Howard County conference to highlight efforts to identify, eliminate and prevent sexual and labor trafficking in our region. “Taking the Next Steps” will be held on Friday, November 8, from 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at Howard Community College (HCC), 10901 Little Patuxent Parkway in Columbia, 21044. Admission is $35 per person.
“Spreading awareness about the commercial sexual exploitation of children, adult sex trafficking and labor trafficking in Howard County is just the first step,” said Ball. “This conference will highlight local initiatives to support victims as they rise above adversity, and advocate for greater enforcement to eliminate trafficking altogether.”
The 2019 keynote address will be presented by Rachel Lloyd, founder of Girls Educational and Mentoring Services and the author of “Girls Like Us: Fighting for a World Where Girls Are Not for Sale.” Read more about Rachel Lloyd's journey to help victims of human trafficking.
The conference will also offer four different breakout session tracks, focusing on Awareness, Life After Trafficking, Labor Trafficking & Prevention, and Law Enforcement. Attendees can choose sessions in any track (except for Law Enforcement, which is reserved for sworn officers only.) Conference fee includes all materials, a continental breakfast and lunch. Register online at https://HTAPHoward2019.eventbrite.com.
A capacity crowd of more than 140 attended the inaugural conference last year, representing a broad cross section of local and state government and law enforcement; community and non-profit organizations; the Howard County Public School System; and the public. This year’s conference will accommodate up to 300 attendees, with activities spread among three buildings on HCC’s campus: Duncan Hall, the Health Sciences Building and the Horowitz Visual and Performing Arts Center.
“Our Office of Human Trafficking Prevention will continue to work closely with state and local law enforcement, non-profit partners and victim advocate groups, survivors and residents to identify the next steps to combat – and eradicate – human trafficking in Howard County,” said Jackie Scott, Director of the Department of Community Resources and Services.
For more information, or to request a sign language interpreter or other accommodations to participate in the conference, contact Lisa Coster at 410-313-6410 (voice/relay) or lcoster@howardcountymd.gov or visit www.howardcountymd.gov/OHTP.