FSU PANAMA CITY TO HOST HUMAN TRAFFICKING AWARENESS PROGRAM

Every year, millions of men, women and children are trafficked worldwide, and Florida ranks third among the 50 states for reported cases of human trafficking.

But the public can learn to recognize cases of human trafficking and make a difference in combating this issue, according to Laurie Lawrence, Ph.D., assistant teaching professor at Florida State University Panama City. 

“Many individuals are unaware that both sex and labor trafficking exist in the Panhandle,” said Lawrence, who is a member of the 14th Circuit Human Trafficking Task Force. “This training event aims to increase public awareness regarding the indicators and dangers of human trafficking, and the role individuals can play in detecting trafficking in our area.”

FSU Panama City will host Human Trafficking Awareness training from 4:30-6:30 p.m. on Oct. 28, in the Holley Academic Center, 4750 Collegiate Drive. Admission is free and open to the public. Register at EventBrite.com.

Joining Lawrence are presenters U.S. Congressman Neal Dunn, Panama City Beach Police Chief J.R. Talamantez, and Bay County Sherriff's Office Investigator Ryan Nelson. 

Attendees will receive a certificate from the State Attorney General's Office for completion of the program, which also meets Department of Business and Professional Regulation requirements for those who need annual training (such as those working in the hospitality industry).

“Most employees in the hospitality industry are required to have the Attorney General's training to meet DBPR requirements,” Lawrence noted.

The training course focuses on detecting human trafficking, best practices for reporting human trafficking, and the interventions and treatment for survivors of human trafficking. It was developed through a collaboration with the Florida Forensic Institute for Research, Security and Tactics, and the Florida Alliance to End Human Trafficking.

For more information, email llawrence@fsu.edu.