Los Angeles Police Department Confirms Participation in Sex Trafficking Awareness Panel

LOS ANGELES - April 10, 2013 - PRLog -- (LOS ANGELES, California) The Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD), Human Trafficking Unit has confirmed participation in the sex and human trafficking awareness panel taking place during Warning Signs: A Conversation with a Child Sex Traffic Survivor, on Saturday, April 13, 2013.

Members of the LAPD, along with the Mu Epsilon Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc., California Against Slavery, the Los Angeles Department of Children and Family Services and the International Black Women of Public Policy Institute (IBWPPI), will assemble to discuss the warning signs of domestic sex and human trafficking. This much needed platform will offer education, advocacy and resource fulfillment for those who work closely with at-risk youth and adults.

At the helm of the event will be an exclusive screening of the documentary film “SURVIVOR”, presented by child sex traffic survivor, actress and filmmaker, Brook Parker-Bello. Immediately following the screening an esteemed panel of experts will join Bello to continue the conversation on sex trafficking within the urban community.

During the panel discussion, Lieutenant Andre Dawson, who currently leads all human trafficking task force efforts for the LAPD and supervises the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Child Exploitation Task Force, will provide background on what law enforcement is doing combat this issue. “Human Trafficking is the fastest growing criminal enterprise in the world. A central component underlying human trafficking is the physical, psychological and emotional abuse suffered by the survivor at the hands of the trafficker,” offers Dawson. He goes on to say “This horrible crime against humanity is often a crime hidden in plain sight. The average age in which a minor is enticed and or forced into the commercial sex trade is 13 years of age. The Los Angeles Police Department, Human Trafficking Unit has taken a victim centered approach to the rescue of survivors and apprehension of the trafficker. The LAPD utilizes the “wraparound” approach for all survivors of human trafficking. These services for the survivor, are often provided by the partnerships with non-governmental agencies (NGO) leads to proper interviews, housing, mental and psychological care for the victim.”

The panel discussion will also include commentary from:
•   Event Host/Moderator: Terri Nathan (Sexual Assault Prevention Counselor, Nellis Air Force Base, Las Vegas, NV)
•   Denise Williams (Founder, Well-Play Inc., Mental Health Provider, Minority AIDS Project)
•   Erika Pollard (Social Worker, Los Angeles County, Department of Children and Family Services)
•   Lesford Duncan (Los Angeles City Coordinator, California Against Slavery, Prop 35)
•   Rev. Dr. Rochelle Carr (Founder, Living Waters Outreach Ministries, Member, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc., Mu Epsilon Omega Chapter)

Action Factory LA will be the host venue for the event, located at 1720 E. Holly Ave, El Segundo, CA 90245. Doors open at 2pm, with the program beginning promptly at 3pm. Food and beverage will be served. Complimentary tickets are still available for public service providers on a first-come, first-served basis. For consideration, please email requests to playforthesoul@gmail.com or call (323) 250-2037. Members of the media should submit credential requests to Divine Brown Media Group via email at info@divinebrownmedia.com.
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About Los Angeles Police Department
The Los Angeles Police Department is committed to serving the community while protecting the rights of all persons. Consistent with this commitment, the Department’s Vision, Mission and Core Values, in concert with the Law Enforcement Code of Ethics and the Department’s Management Principles, reflect the guiding philosophy of the Los Angeles Police Department. It is the vision of the Los Angeles Police Department to, as closely as possible, achieve a City free from crime and public disorder. Learn more at http://www.lapdonline.org

About Minority AIDS Project
MAP’s mission is “to reduce suffering and deaths due to HIV infection and AIDS disease in African-American and Latino communities by making HIV/AIDS education and related health services available and accessible.” Learn more at http://www.minorityaidsproject.org.

About Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc.
Mu Epsilon Omega is the first and only graduate chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. that resides in Orange County, California. The chapter contains a cohesive group of professional women who strive to be a service to all mankind locally and nationally. Mu Epsilon Omega also oversees the undergraduate chapter of Lambda Sigma which is at the University of California, Irvine. To learn more visit http://www.akameo.org

About California Against Slavery
California Against Slavery (CAS) is a non-partisan human rights organization dedicated to ending human trafficking, starting where we live. The organization’s mission is to defend the freedom of every child, woman and man by empowering the people of California to fulfill our obligation to stop human trafficking. For more information, please visit http://www.CaliforniaAgainstSlavery.org

About International Black Women’s Public Policy Institute
The Vision of the International Black Women’s Public Policy Institute (IBWPPI) is to connect and advocate for Black women globally through acts of kindness and public policy. The Mission is to work in the US and internationally to convene hearings and discussions to evaluate the impact of current public policies and to initiate new policies that address the major threats to the well-being of Black women and our families. Learn more at http://www.ibwppi.org/

About Los Angeles County Department of Children and Family Services
DCFS is one of the nation’s largest public child welfare agencies, also encompassing the largest public adoption agency in the country. The department serves over 32,000 children on any given day, and each year receives over 160,000 calls to its child protection hotline. With public, private and community partners, DCFS’ mission is to provide quality child welfare services and supports so children grow up safe, healthy and educated and with permanent families. Please report suspicion of child abuse or neglect in L.A. County by calling 1-800-540-4000. Learn more at http://dcfs.co.la.ca.us/index.html.

About Well-Play Inc.
Well-Play is a special-event planning company committed to the creation of empowering social platforms through the use of five WELLNESS targets; Social, Emotional, Mental, Physical and Spiritual. Learn more www.well-play.net.

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