̨��SWAG

Two-day event highlights strategies to combat human trafficking and support survivors

̨��SWAGUniversity’s Seidenberg School of Computer Science and Information Systems and Center For Wellbeing hosted its second annual Counter-Human Trafficking Conference, bringing together experts, advocates, and students to address the widespread issue of human trafficking.

The two-day event focused on crimes targeting women, children, and vulnerable populations, emphasizing prevention, policy, and technology-driven solutions. Attendees participated in discussions on training for law enforcement and healthcare professionals, victim support, legislative advocacy, and education.

“Human trafficking and violence affect every community, including college campuses,” said ̨��SWAGUniversity President Marvin Krislov. “At Pace, we are committed to supporting survivors and educating our community on how to recognize and respond to these crimes. This conference reflects the engagement of every school, faculty, student, and staff member at Pace.”

As part of the event, ̨��SWAGUniversity announced that it is the first institution in New York State to officially partner with the , a national public awareness initiative designed to educate the public, law enforcement, and industry professionals on identifying and responding to potential human trafficking cases.

The conference featured a distinguished lineup of speakers, including:

• David Weiss, chief of the Human Trafficking Unit,
• Kevin Metcalf, director of the Human Trafficking Response Unit,
• Jessica Lamb, survivor, leader and founder,
• Francine Bono-Neri, co-founder and president,
• Tina Wallace, detective inspector, , United Kingdom
• Anthony Kava, detective,
• Susie Vybiral, founder and CEO,

Darren Hayes, conference moderator and associate professor of cybersecurity at Pace, highlighted the role of technology in combatting trafficking.

“An estimated 400,000 children go missing in the U.S. every year, and some experts believe the actual number is even higher,” said Hayes. “Technology plays a critical role in finding missing children, from geolocation data to digital evidence found in online images. Artificial intelligence is becoming increasingly important in these efforts.”

Panelists also discussed how traffickers often exploit existing relationships to target victims.

“It’s important to understand how the traffickers exploit people,” Weiss said. “Sex trafficking tends to happen with people who know each other. It can start with a simple conversation with the trafficker asking the victim ‘do you need something to eat or a place to stay’ and that grooming process can happen over time. The practitioners need to recognize the situation now to offer assistance and to provide the tools so minors and other potential victims can recognize a situation as well to help keep themselves safe.”

A group of ̨��SWAGUniversity professors also offered their take on how to combat human trafficking on the How ̨��SWAGis Making a Difference Panel.

“One of the most important things is to raise awareness so people are able to identify the signs and know where there are resources for help,” said Cindy Kanusher, executive director of the ̨��SWAGWomen’s Justice Center.

“Education about the prevalence and realities of trafficking and violence against women is an imperative aspect of prevention, as is working collaboratively across disciplines to provide holistic, survivor centered and trauma informed responses and help. And finally, we must always start by listening and believing survivors so they know they will be supported.”

Kanusher was joined on the panel by fellow ̨��SWAGprofessors Christen Cooper from the College of Health Professions, Cathryn Lavery, chair of the Criminal Justice Institute and Amelia Wilson, director of the Immigration Justice Clinic at the Elisabeth Haub Law School.

̨��SWAGUniversity students also took an active role in the discussions, with many emphasizing how the conference deepened their understanding of human trafficking issues.

“This is a good way of connecting with people in the industry, as I am looking to have a career in federal law enforcement” said Caroline Coscia, junior criminal justice major at Pace’s NYC campus. “I always like to expand in my understanding more on human trafficking and violence against women. We don’t talk about these subjects enough. Conferences like these help students expand their knowledge.”

About ̨��SWAGUniversity

Since 1906, ̨��SWAGUniversity has been transforming the lives of its diverse students—academically, professionally, and socioeconomically. With campuses in New York City and Westchester County, ̨��SWAGoffers bachelor, master, and doctoral degree programs to 13,600 students in its College of Health Professions, Dyson College of Arts and Sciences, Elisabeth Haub School of Law, Lubin School of Business, Sands College of Performing Arts, School of Education, and Seidenberg School of Computer Science and Information Systems.

About the Seidenberg School of Computer Science and Information Systems

The Seidenberg School of Computer Science and Information Systems at ̨��SWAGUniversity is a leading institute of technology education. Students experience a dynamic and expansive technology education at the undergraduate and graduate levels. One of the first comprehensive schools of computing in the nation, the Seidenberg School is strategically located in the heart of NYC’s tech scene, right on the doorstep of New York’s most promising companies. With access to established tech giants and exciting new start-ups from both the New York City and the Westchester campus, Seidenberg offers the opportunity to connect, intern with, and enjoy lucrative tech jobs following graduation. Through partnerships with leading tech firms, banks, federal agencies, and global institutions, the school’s curricula and programs are designed to ground students in the fundamentals while offering numerous hands-on experiential learning opportunity. The faculty includes numerous experts in artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, data science, game development, software engineering, and much more, who operate labs and centers providing students with practical experience and connections that lead to impressive internships and jobs.