Human Trafficking and Exploitation by Illegal Street Gangs

The Survive and Thrive Advocacy Center (STAC) Third Friday Training Webinar Series is dedicated to educating everyone about the critical issue of human trafficking. This interactive series aims to provide an in-depth understanding of the various facets of human trafficking, from its root causes and methods of operation to the profound impact it has on survivors, their families, workplaces, and society both in our home towns and worldwide.

Description:

In this free webinar, Amy Hutsell and Victor Williams will discuss the trend of organized street gangs profiting from the sex and labor trafficking of minors and adults. As gang investigators focus on drugs, guns, and homicides, illegal street gangs are often able to keep their sex trafficking activity under the radar. This session will include research into the prevalence of gang-involved sex trafficking, pathways to victimization, recruitment techniques, and a look at society’s demand for commercial sex.  In Georgia, there is a focused effort to address this intersection. Presenters will highlight the anti-gang/anti-human trafficking priorities of the State and the strategic focus to combat the illegal activity. Relying on a victim-centered and trauma-informed approach, presenters will discuss the work of the Georgia Coalition to Combat Human Trafficking, the data-driven and pro-active approach to human trafficking investigations, and the emphasis on strong resources available to victims.

Download: Street Gangs Presentation Slides

Presenters: 

Amy Hutsell

Amy Hutsell –  Ms. Hutsell is the Program Director for the Sexual Assault, Child Abuse, and Human Trafficking Unit with Georgia’s Criminal Justice Coordinating Council. She and her team have competitively secured over $19,000,000 in federal and private foundation assistance for the state of Georgia’s criminal justice initiatives. Along with developing and overseeing the Georgia Coalition to Combat Human Trafficking and Agricultural Labor Trafficking Task Force, Ms. Hutsell is also responsible for the management of all state and federal grants providing direct service funding to sexual assault, child abuse, and human trafficking victim-serving agencies in Georgia.

Victor Williams – Victor B. Williams is an internationally renowned and respected anti-human trafficking advocate. He retired from law enforcement with over 34 years of domestic and international experience. In 1991, Victor joined the U.S. Customs Service, which later became the Department of Homeland Security(DHS). In February 2011, Victor was assigned to the DHS Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Special Agent in Charge Miami Office’s Human Trafficking Group, and in 2012, he was appointed the Coordinator for the South Florida

Victor Williams

Human Trafficking Task Force until his retirement on January 1, 2018. After retirement, Victor was recruited as a security consultant for the Atlanta Hawks Basketball Club and later appointed as the Coordinator of the Georgia Coalition to Combat Human Trafficking, the State’s first law enforcement-based Human Trafficking coalition addressing all forms of human trafficking in the State. In 2023, he launched the Quest2Freedom organization, which focuses on preventative education, emphasizing cultural awareness and empowering people through partnerships with community organizations and human trafficking presentations and workshops. He currently serves as the Vice Chair of the Miami-Dade County Human Trafficking Coalition.
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STAC needs your support to sustain these important webinars. Will you donate today? Each gift helps to bring this vital information to the many people who are empowering survivors and preventing human trafficking. The only way we can maintain these programs and this work is with YOUR help.

Suggested donation: $20