Klamath County Symposium 2022: How human trafficking affects us all

The focus of next month’s Klamath County Symposium is human trafficking in its many forms and will feature experts presenting on how it affects the Klamath Basin.

The free two-day event is open to the public although registration is required. The symposium begins at 9 a.m. Tuesday, Aug. 16, and Wednesday, Aug. 17, in the College Union Auditorium at Oregon Tech. Lunch will be provided. Visit bit.ly/klamathsymposium to register.

Human trafficking is a tough issue to discuss, and experts acknowledge it is sometimes difficult to spot. Evidence indicates three common forms of trafficking – commercial sexual exploitation of children, sex trafficking, and labor trafficking – have happened in Klamath County.

The annual Klamath County Symposium is organized by the local Child Abuse Prevention Coalition, which launched seven years ago to bring awareness to Child Abuse Prevention Month. This multi-sector organization, which created the local Day of Hope Celebration and Pinwheel Garden, wants to bring the community together to address the effects of child abuse and discuss prevention strategies.

The keynote speaker, Dr. Elizabeth Alston, currently a policy analyst and Statewide Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children (CSEC) Coordinator at the Oregon Department of Human Services, has trained more than 2,000 case managers in identifying victims of sex trafficking.

Breakout sessions include learning the warning signs, discussions of child trafficking, identifying labor trafficking, and what to do if you suspect trafficking.

While everyone is encouraged to participate in the symposium, it will be especially useful for healthcare workers, educators, social service agency staff, and childcare providers.

Questions? Please contact Marci Bryant via email at marci.e.bryant@dhsoha.state.or.us