BBCAHT Quarterly Meeting
2025-12-04 14:00 - 15:00 (America/New_York)
BIG BEND COALITION AGAINST HUMAN TRAFFICKING (BBCAHT) MEETING
Thursday, December 4, 2025, at 2:00 PM
Leon County Sheriff’s Office, 2825 Major James Morgan Jr. Way, Tallahassee, FL 32304

STAC Third Friday Human Trafficking Training Webinar Series (Dec 2025 - CANCELLED)
2025-12-19 13:00 - 14:30
STAC will not host a Third Friday Webinar in December. We encourage you to attend one of STAC’s past informative webinars. You can receive a certificate of attendance from STAC if you attend. You can find these webinars here: https://surviveandthriveadvocacy.org/training-education-resources/

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.
Throughout this series, we will explore the complexities of human trafficking, featuring expert insights from sex and labor trafficking survivors, law enforcement officials, anti-trafficking advocates, legal professionals, and researchers. Each session will delve into specific topics, including the impact of social media and the trafficking of youth online, identification of trafficking situations, familial trafficking, the often hidden realities of labor trafficking, the psychological and physical toll on survivors, legal frameworks and strategies, and promising practices designed for prevention and intervention.
Our goal is to empower participants with the knowledge and tools necessary to recognize, prevent, and safely respond to both sex and labor trafficking. Whether you are a concerned citizen, a professional in a related field, a faith community member, and educator, a business person, or someone seeking to make a difference, this webinar series will provide valuable information and actionable steps to support survivors and fortify your family and community. Join us and contribute to the global fight against this exploitation.
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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

Learning from Human Trafficking Survivors: Marking a Decade of Commitment - Members of the U.S. Advisory Council on Human Trafficking Share Their Reflections and Wisdom
2026-01-16 13:00 - 14:30
Join us for a powerful and timely webinar featuring speakers from the U.S. Advisory Council on Human Trafficking, a federal body established in 2015 to ensure that the voices of human trafficking survivors directly inform U.S. policy and practice. Representing diverse experiences of both sex and labor trafficking, these survivor leaders are true experts on this issue. They will highlight findings from the recently released U.S. Advisory Council’s 2025 Annual Report. They will bring their lived experience, insight, and perspectives on where we are and what we need to do to address human trafficking and the conditions in our world that allow it to be. This program is a must for a wide range of people and professionals, including non-profit agencies, justice system and law enforcement representatives, health care, students and faculty, advocates, faith communities, and anyone who wishes to understand more about human trafficking, its impacts, and what we all can do to prevent trafficking. The Council’s thoughtful, practical recommendations touch every sector of our communities and help shape informed, effective, and survivor-centered responses.

Webinar Resoures:

2025 United States Advisory Council on Human Trafficking Annual Report

About the Presenters:

Holly Gibbs
Holly A. Gibbs
Holly A. Gibbs is the System Director of a Human Trafficking Response Program for a U.S. national nonprofit health system. In 2014, Holly’s book, Walking Prey: How America’s Youth are Vulnerable to Sex Slavery, was published by St. Martin’s Press; and in 2019, she received the Sister Concilia Moran Award from the Catholic Health Association. In 2025, Holly completed her Master of Public Health at George Washington University. Holly has served on human trafficking advisory boards and councils for organizations such as the McCain Institute, National Center for Missing & Exploited Children, Human Trafficking Institute, HEAL Trafficking, and American Hospital Association; and, she co-founded the organization, Survivor Alliance. Holly has testified before Congress.

Yuri Guerrero
Yuri Guerrero
Yuri Guerrero is a bilingual survivor advocate, consultant and speaker. She is also a community health work promoter and Real Estate Agent in the state of Texas. She is passionate about helping others heal, thrive, and become a better version of themselves. Yuri and her family are labor trafficking survivors. Her journey was long, but she is passionate about using her life experiences and professional training to prevent, educate, and raise awareness about human trafficking in her community. Yuri has supported local non-governmental organizations in raising awareness and creating outreach materials related to human trafficking and is working in her community to create a local survivor-focused Council. She has also spoken at numerous federal and national events relating to human trafficking, including those with the Freedom Network and the U.S. Departments of Homeland Security and Health and Human Services (HHS). She was a member of HHS’ Human Trafficking Leadership Academy in 2021. Yuri has a zest for life and relishes every opportunity to enjoy freedom with her husband, family, friends, and pets. She also loves to sing and enjoys traveling.

Sameer Jain
Sameer Jain
Sameer Jain is a native of India and a passionate advocate for a scientific and data-driven approach to raising awareness against labor and sex trafficking. As a subject matter expert on labor trafficking, Sameer focuses particularly on cases involving individuals or groups who are moved to the United States through legal channels, often under the guise of legitimate employment opportunities. Having moved to the U.S. on a visa for specialty occupations, Sameer spent much of his life in a white-collar profession. Despite his educational, social, and financial background, he became a survivor of labor trafficking. His journey fuels his resolve to prevent others from experiencing similar exploitation. Sameer actively works to raise awareness of human trafficking at the federal, state, and local government levels. He is especially committed to engaging faith-based organizations and ethnic minority-serving communities as vital partners in identifying, preventing, and responding to trafficking. His advocacy includes speaking engagements with governmental and non-governmental organizations across the country, where he highlights the complexities and underreported realities of labor trafficking in the U.S. He currently serves on the United States National Advisory Council on Human Trafficking, where he contributes lived experience and subject expertise to influence national policy and strategy. In July 2025, Sameer joined the Survive and Thrive Advocacy Board of Directors and was featured on Episode 4 of the Survive and Thrive Advocacy Center’s Imagine Freedom Podcast, where he shares his powerful story and insights on creating systemic change.
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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

Imagine Freedom 2026
2026-01-29 17:30 - 19:00 | FSU College of Law Rotunda, 425 West Jefferson St., Tallahassee, FL, 32306
Imagine Freedom 2026 is the Survive and Thrive Advocacy Center’s premier annual gratitude-filled reception, where we celebrate the changemakers and advocates who stand with human trafficking survivors and those who have fortified our world against sex and labor trafficking. It brings together friends from all parts of our community to demonstrate how we can ignite a Community In Action and build a world of Freedom Rising for survivors of sex and labor trafficking. This year’s theme is “Freedom Rising: Community In Action.”
Learn More About Imagine Freedom 2026
Event Location:
FSU College of Law Rotunda
425 West Jefferson St.
Tallahassee, FL 32306

*RESCHEDULED* - BBCAHT Quarterly Meeting
2026-02-12 14:00 - 15:00
BIG BEND COALITION AGAINST HUMAN TRAFFICKING (BBCAHT) MEETING
THIS MEETING HAS BEEN RESCHEDULED FOR THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 2026 AT 2:00 PM.
Leon County Sheriff’s Office, 2825 Municipal Way, Tallahassee, FL 32304

(CANCELED) Learn How to Prevent Human Trafficking in Tallahassee
2026-02-17 17:30 - 19:00
THIS EVENT HAS BEEN CANCELED.

Schools & the Law: Hidden in Plain Sight – How Schools Can Prevent and Identify Human Trafficking and Provide Trauma-Informed Responses to Child Survivors
2026-02-20 13:00 - 14:30
This webinar provides an overview of Florida’s legal framework governing child trafficking and its intersection with public education. Speakers will discuss how educators and school personnel can help prevent trafficking by equipping students with the knowledge to recognize and report exploitation. The session will also cover how school staff can identify students who may be survivors of trafficking and respond effectively using trauma-informed practices. Speakers will give particular attention to legal and educational obligations when addressing discipline, including expulsions, suspensions, and chronic absenteeism, to ensure that responses appropriately accommodate a survivor‑student’s trauma history. This program will be relevant to community members who are parents or caregivers, faculty, staff, and students, law enforcement and justice system representatives, non-profit agencies, and private-sector representatives, and anyone who wishes to learn more about the vital role schools can play in ending human trafficking.
Register Now

About the Presenters:
Paolo Annino, JD, PhD, Glass Professor of Public Interest Law, Distinguished University Scholar, Public Interest Law Center, FSU College of Law
Clinical Professor Paolo Annino is a national leader in helping children in the health care, juvenile justice, and criminal law systems. Professor Annino is the Glass Professor of Public Interest Law and a Distinguished University Scholar at Florida State University College of Law. Annino is the Co-Director of the FSU College of Law Public Interest Law Center, and the Director of the Health Care Access Project, the Children in Prison Project, the Human Trafficking-Exploitation Law Project, and the Solitary Confinement Project. Professor Annino has taught at the FSU College of Law Public Interest Law Center since 1995. He earned a Ph.D. in Philosophy from Fordham University and a J.D. from FSU College of Law. Before teaching at FSU College of Law, Annino practiced public interest law as a public defender and as a legal services attorney.

Professor Emmalyn Dalton, Clinical Professor, Children’s Advocacy Clinic, Public Interest Law Center, FSU College of Law
Emmalyn Dalton joined FSU Law in 2023 as a fellow with the Children’s Advocacy Clinic. Dalton mentors students in the Children’s Advocacy Clinic, advocates and supervises students at all Children’s Advocacy Clinic court hearings, and provides the students with case guidance. She also organizes law reform projects and facilitates student community outreach presentations. Prior to joining FSU Law, Dalton worked as an assistant public defender with the Second Judicial Circuit of Florida, representing juvenile clients. While a student at the College of Law, she participated in the Children’s Advocacy Clinic and the Children in Prison Project and was involved in the creation of a documentary about the realities of solitary confinement for children in the adult prison system. Also, while a law student, Dalton completed an internship with the FSU College of Social Work’s Institute for Family Violence Studies, where she assisted in the creation of an online course for judges on intimate partner violence.

Emma Smith, Human Trafficking and Exploitation Project (HELP) law student, FSU College of Law
Emma Smith is a second-year law student at Florida State University College of Law and a legal advocate with the FSU Children’s Advocacy Clinic. Her work is driven by a calling to secure justice and safety for children navigating the legal system.

Valerie Busto, Human Trafficking and Exploitation Project (HELP) law student, FSU College of Law
Valerie Busto is a 2L law student at FSU College of Law. She is a student advocate at the FSU Children’s Advocacy Clinic and is working alongside Professor Paulo Annino with the Human Trafficking and Exploitation Law Project and the Children in Prison Project.

Dr. Michelle Gayle – Deputy Superintendent, Leon County Schools
As the Deputy Superintendent of Professional, Intervention, and Community Services, Dr. Gayle oversees School Board Administration, Intervention Services (Attendance, Foster Care, Families in Transition), Office of Admissions, Charter School, Homeschool, School Choice, Health Services, Mental Health Services, Marketing, Volunteers & Mentors, Community Partners, District Advisory Council (DAC), Student District Advisory Council (SDAC), and the Foundation for Leon County Schools.

Emma Champman
Emma Chapman is a second-year law student at Florida State University College of Law and a legal advocate with the FSU Children’s Advocacy Clinic. She is driven by a passion to fight for safety, security, and a bright future for every child through legal advocacy and community-wide awareness.

Accompanying Materials
1003.42. Required Instruction
1006.481. Human trafficking awareness training
6A-1.094124. Required Instruction Planning and Reporting.
OPPAGA 2025 Report on Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children
USF 2025 Lab Report
Schools & the Law: Hidden in Plain Sight
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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

BBCAHT Quarterly Meeting
2026-02-26 14:00 - 15:00
BIG BEND COALITION AGAINST HUMAN TRAFFICKING (BBCAHT) MEETING
Thursday, February 26, 2026, at 2:00 PM
Leon County Sheriff’s Office, 2825 Major James Morgan Jr. Way, Tallahassee, FL 32304

Virtual Release of the Council's 2025 Annual Report
2026-03-12 14:00 - 15:30
The members of the U.S. Advisory Council on Human Trafficking invite you to attend the virtual release of the U.S. Advisory Council on Human Trafficking’s 2025 Annual Report.
March 12, 2026 | 2:00 pm – 3:30 pm ET
This event will take place via Zoom.
Register here while space is available: https://icf.zoomgov.com/meeting/register/FdHBn-9DROCxnWie20wqwg#/registration

Shine Together: BRIGHT Networking Event
2026-03-20 10:00 - 15:00
Friday, March 20, 2026, at 10:00 AM – 3:00 PM
Registration begins at 9:30 AM
University of South Florida, St. Petersburg Campus
200 6th Ave South St., Petersburg, FL 33701
RSVP with the QR code below.

STAC Third Friday Webinar Series Program (Mar 2026 - CANCELLED)
2026-03-20 13:00 - 14:30
STAC will not host a Third Friday Webinar in March. We encourage you to attend one of STAC’s past informative webinars. You can receive a certificate of attendance from STAC if you attend. You can find these webinars here: https://surviveandthriveadvocacy.org/training-education-resources/
The Survive and Thrive Advocacy Center (STAC) Third Friday Webinar Series Program 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.
Throughout this series, we will explore the complexities of human trafficking, featuring expert insights from sex and labor trafficking survivors, law enforcement officials, anti-trafficking advocates, legal professionals, and researchers. Each session will delve into specific topics, including the impact of social media and the trafficking of youth online, identification of trafficking situations, familial trafficking, the often hidden realities of labor trafficking, the psychological and physical toll on survivors, legal frameworks and strategies, and promising practices designed for prevention and intervention.
Our goal is to empower participants with the knowledge and tools necessary to recognize, prevent, and safely respond to both sex and labor trafficking. Whether you are a concerned citizen, a professional in a related field, a faith community member, and educator, a business person, or someone seeking to make a difference, this webinar series will provide valuable information and actionable steps to support survivors and fortify your family and community. Join us and contribute to the global fight against this exploitation.
Webinar descriptions, registration, and speaker info: Coming Soon
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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

WorldWE 2026 Stand Program Training, Beyond Exit: Addressing Criminalization & Building Long-Term Sustainability for Trafficking Survivors
2026-04-02 14:00 - 15:30
Led by STAC Consultant and Stand Trainer, Jamie Rosseland, participants will explore how the criminal justice system intersects with trafficking, and what meaningful long-term support for trafficking survivors who have been in the criminal justice system should look like beyond immediate exit services.

Register Now

Framework Survivor Panel: Mental Health Needs of Labor Trafficking Survivors
2026-04-10 13:00 - 14:30
This panel centers the insight and resilience of survivors, exploring how different forms of labor trafficking shape mental health and recovery. Featuring six survivors with lived experience, the discussion will highlight the mental health impacts of trafficking and the supports that help survivors heal and rebuild.
The conversation will also address key factors affecting recovery, including mental health needs, immigration-related uncertainty, and the role of economic stability as a protective factor—offering practical insights for service providers supporting survivors.

Register Here

Human Trafficking is Real: Do You Know What It Really Is?
2026-04-14 11:30 - 12:30
Join us for an important and eye-opening conversation on Real Talk with Judy Live Radio Show: “Human Trafficking is Real: Do You Know What It Really Is?”
Hosted by Dr. Judy Mandrell (Tampa Bay Gospel Radio Host of the Year & 2024 Praise & Worship Black History Concert Radio Host of the Year), this powerful discussion will feature special guests:

Lorie Asifor-Tuoyo, MSN, CHW – Community Health Worker
Robin Hassler Thompson – Executive Director, STAC

Tuesday, April 14, 2026 at 11:30 AM EST
Listen Live On-Air:
Tune in via Hallelujah 95.3 FM (Tallahassee’s Inspiration Station) or stream online at:

www.Hallelujah953.com
www.RealTalkWithJudy.com

Watch LIVE on Social Media:
We’ll also be streaming live on Facebook and Instagram — join the conversation in real time!

Human Trafficking is Real: Do You Know What It Really Is? (Re-broadcast)
2026-04-16 18:00 - 19:00
If you missed Tuesday’s powerful conversation, here’s your chance to tune in! Join us for the rebroadcast of Real Talk with Judy Live Radio Show: “Human Trafficking is Real: Do You Know What It Really Is?”
Hosted by Dr. Judy Mandrell (Tampa Bay Gospel Radio Host of the Year & 2024 Praise & Worship Black History Concert Radio Host of the Year), this powerful discussion will feature special guests:

Lorie Asifor-Tuoyo, MSN, CHW – Community Health Worker
Robin Hassler Thompson – Executive Director, STAC

Thursday, April 16, 2026 at 6:00 PM EST
Listen Live On-Air:
Tune in via Hallelujah 95.3 FM (Tallahassee’s Inspiration Station) or stream online at:

www.Hallelujah953.com
www.RealTalkWithJudy.com

Stay connected with Real Talk with Judy on Facebook and YouTube for more impactful conversations.

When Human Trafficking Comes to Work
2026-04-17 13:00 - 14:30
People are both sex and labor trafficked and exploited at workplaces and in plain sight in every community. How can we as employees, managers, co-workers, customers and clients recognize and respond to trafficking situations in ways that protect trafficking victims and the workplace? Children and adults who are trafficked and who are vulnerable to being trafficked need the eyes and ears of our community’s workforce to know how to recognize trafficking situations and to support them. This webinar is an interactive, live presentation of the online STACPRO training program and will provide vital information for the entire community, including social services, healthcare, the justice system, businesses such as restaurants and retail establishments, non-profit agencies, the faith community, and any organization or workplace, large or small. While STACPRO is available online, the advantage of attending this program LIVE is that you can ask questions and participate with the presenters and other attendees.

“When Human Trafficking Comes to Work: What You Need to Know” Presentation Download

About the Presenters:
Dr. Michelle Gayle, Deputy Superintendent of Professional, Intervention, and Community Services
Dr. Michelle Gayle is the Deputy Superintendent of Professional, Intervention, and Community Services. Dr. Gayle oversees School Board Administration, Intervention Services (Attendance, Foster Care, Families in Transition), Office of Admissions, Charter School, Homeschool, School Choice, Health Services, Mental Health Services, Marketing, Volunteers & Mentors, Community Partners, District Advisory Council (DAC), Student District Advisory Council (SDAC), and the Foundation for Leon County Schools.

Graciela Marquina, MSW
Graciela Marquina, MSW, is the lead Community Services Advocate for the Survive and Thrive Advocacy Center, which she helped co-found in 2015. She is also an active member of the Big Bend Coalition Against Human Trafficking. Graciela is a skilled researcher and interviewer, has expertise working with non-profit agencies, and provides training and education on human trafficking to communities across the state and around the globe, including NGO and government agencies.

Stephanie Shumate, Director of the Commission on the Status of Women and Girls.
Stephanie Shumate is the Director of the Commission on the Status of Women and Girls. Stephanie brings almost two decades of community engagement, advocacy initiatives, production management, innovative communication strategies, leadership training, personal development, and group facilitation to the CSWG. Stephanie was most recently Vice President of Client Relations at CATECOMM, a Tallahassee-based Public Relations and Communications firm, and brings experience from her prior career roles with Herff Jones as a Yearbook Specialist and Educator, Executive Director of the Leon County Responsible Decision-Making Coalition, Political Campaign Staff, and Director of The Florida Youth Delegation at The Florida Department of Education. She’s a graduate of Florida State University with a B.A. in Sociology, holds a Certificate in Leadership Studies and Theories, and currently serves as Secretary for the Board of Directors with the Survive and Thrive Advocacy Center.

Robin Hassler Thompson, JD, MA
Robin Hassler Thompson, JD, MA, is the Executive Director of the Survive and Thrive Advocacy Center (STAC), a non-profit agency she co-founded in 2015 to assist survivors of human trafficking. She is also an active member of the Big Bend Coalition Against Human Trafficking. In 2001, she traveled to Bangladesh as part of a U.S. State Department mission, which included a site visit to a trafficking rescue shelter in Dhaka. This trip inspired her to take action to end human trafficking. From 2002 to the present, she has directed numerous local and statewide anti-trafficking projects, lectured extensively on the topics of violence against women and human trafficking, and contributed to many national and international publications and curricula. In addition to her anti-trafficking work, Robin’s areas of expertise include domestic and sexual violence law and policy. She has served on and held leadership positions on local, state, and national boards and commissions.

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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

STAC Celebrity Bartending at Amicus Brewing Ventures
2026-04-17 16:00 - 20:00
Join STAC on Friday, April 17th, from 4:00-8:00pm to see our celebs behind the bar to support survivors of sex and labor trafficking!
A special thank you to Amicus for hosting STAC as their Non-Profit of the Month for the second time. With their help STAC is able to have a bigger impact than ever, because together, we make change happen!
Location: Amicus Brewing Ventures, Tallahassee, Florida

Understanding Policy in Advocacy in Anti-Trafficking
2026-04-28 09:00 - 11:00
Understanding Policy in Advocacy in Anti-Trafficking with Hollie Nadel Policy shapes the systems that respond to human trafficking—but for many advocates, it can feel complex or inaccessible. This webinar offers a clear, grounded introduction to how policy functions within the anti-trafficking sector and why it is a critical tool for creating meaningful, sustained change. Through a global lens, this session will explore what policy encompasses, how it influences prevention, protection, and response efforts, and why engagement in policy spaces is essential for effective advocacy. Participants will also examine practical approaches to building relationships with key community policymakers and identifying pathways to integrate policy work into their existing advocacy efforts. This session is designed to support survivor leaders and advocates in strengthening their understanding of systems, expanding their influence, and engaging more strategically in shaping the policies that impact their communities.
Interpretation available in Bangla, French, Hindi, and Spanish
Register here:
https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/qPaSAg_YR2mIYRLwhbdzGg#/registration

Credit Repair Clinic for Trafficking Survivors
2026-04-28 11:00 - 17:00
On April 28, 2026, there will be a virtual Credit Repair Clinic for survivors of human trafficking. The deadline to apply to participate in the clinic is March 16, 2026.
The clinic is organized by the Pro Bono Institute and the National Survivor Law Collective. The clinic will provide pro bono legal assistance to survivors seeking to repair credit issues related to their exploitation.
The clinic focuses on remedies available under the Debt Bondage Repair Act, which allows survivors to block harmful credit information that resulted from their trafficking.
Please note that survivors must be referred by an organization authorized to provide Victim Determination Documentation under 12 CFR § 1022.142(b)(1)(i)(2). Service providers who are able to provide this type of documentation can scan the QR code on the flyer to complete the pre-registration questionnaire and determine survivor eligibility.
Pre-Registration Questionnaire: https://airtable.com/appgNkXeNpJEx7a21/pag4HrypfY0sIXf5D/form

From Vision to Impact: The Thrive Space in Action
2026-05-15 13:00 - 14:30
Join Jamie Rosseland and Lisa Chaloux for an update on The Thrive Space, a survivor-created digital platform designed to support healing, connection, and empowerment. This session will revisit the vision behind the platform and highlight how it is used today, including its role in outreach efforts tied to major sporting events in Jacksonville. Together, we’ll share new materials, explore how The Thrive Space continues to grow as a resource hub and community connector, and why survivor-led innovation remains critical in anti-trafficking efforts. Whether you’re a survivor, advocate, or ally, this webinar will offer practical insight into leveraging survivor-informed tools for greater impact.
Who Should Attend:
This webinar is designed for everyone interested in learning more about human trafficking. In particular, service providers across sectors, including social workers, case managers, healthcare professionals, educators, and nonprofit staff, will learn about a practical tool to assist their client populations. It is also valuable for parents and caregivers seeking to better understand how to support individuals at risk or impacted. This session is relevant for law enforcement, first responders, outreach teams, faith leaders, community members, and people with lived experience. We welcome anyone who may encounter or support victims and survivors of trafficking and wants practical, survivor-informed tools to strengthen their response.

About the Presenters:
Jamie Rosseland
Jamie Rosseland is a consultant in the field of anti-trafficking work with expertise in program development and implementation for victims and survivors of sexual exploitation, trauma-competent and survivor-centered digital marketing and outreach strategies, and, most recently, working on policy guides and research projects. She has been active in local government and statewide policy advocacy. Through sharing her lived experiences and unique perspective, Jamie is committed to changing the cultural view of the sex trade, addressing systems that drive demand, and confronting gender inequality.
Jamie has experience providing mentorship, court advocacy, and care coordination to youth impacted by sexual exploitation as part of the Open Doors Outreach Network with the Delores Barr Weaver Policy Center. She has presented at countless community events, statewide summits, and national conferences. Jamie has an undergraduate degree in interdisciplinary social science from Florida State University.
Lisa Chaloux, MPA
Lisa Chaloux, MPA is a survivor-advocate who, like many of her survivor siblings, wears a few advocacy hats. With nearly 20 years of experience in direct service, crisis support, and systems coordination, she brings both lived and professional expertise to her work. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Child and Family Studies and a Master’s degree in Public Administration and Affairs. A self-described research nerd, she enjoys digging into data and systems to identify practical solutions that strengthen community response. Lisa developed the Dandelion Response Model, a coordinated community framework across Northeast Florida designed to strengthen response pathways, expand education on exploitation and demand, and support multidisciplinary collaboration across systems. Her consulting work focuses on building person-centered partnerships and sustainable infrastructure that improves long-term outcomes for individuals, families, and communities. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her chickens, cats, and dog, attempting to garden, and making messes with her granddaughter.

Register Here
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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

From Evidence to Impact: Understanding the Scope of Technology-Facilitated Abuse and How Data Can Inform Prevention
2026-05-19 13:00 - 14:00
Technology-facilitated abuse (TFA) is a growing issue impacting individuals and communities across the globe. Join experts from the Administration for Children and Families Office on Trafficking in Persons and the CDC’s Division of Violence Prevention for a live webinar exploring how data can strengthen prevention and response efforts.
Participants will learn how to:

Understand the scope of technology-facilitated abuse using national and international data
Identify emerging data sources and trends related to TFA
Use data to inform prevention, response, and programming efforts
Apply evidence-based strategies to strengthen services and support

Register today to reserve your spot.
Register Here

Supporting Black Survivors in Rural Communities
2026-05-28 14:00 - 15:30
Join Ujima for a powerful capacity-building webinar focused on the unique experiences of Black survivors living in rural communities. This session will explore the challenges survivors face when navigating limited resources, geographic isolation, and culturally specific barriers to safety and support.
Participants will gain practical strategies for culturally responsive safety planning, learn how community plays a vital role in survivor safety, and engage in meaningful conversations about the strengths and complexities of supporting survivors in rural spaces.
Thursday, May 28, 2026
2:00 PM – 3:30 PM ET
This webinar is ideal for advocates, service providers, community leaders, and anyone committed to strengthening support for Black survivors in rural communities.
Register today to reserve your spot.
Register Here

Empoderando a las comunidades para saber si: ¿Es trata de personas, explotación o algo más? | Empowering Communities to Know: Is it Human Trafficking, Exploitation, or Something Else?
2026-06-12 13:00 - 14:30
Presentado completamente en español, con subtítulos en inglés, este programa está dirigido a toda persona interesada en aprender los conceptos básicos sobre la trata de personas. Diseñado para la comunidad hispanohablante y sus aliados, el programa contará con presentadores que brindarán información sobre cómo reconocer situaciones de trata sexual y laboral, cómo responder de manera segura, cómo ayudar a las personas víctimas de trata sexual y laboral, y cómo prevenir la trata de personas. Proporcionaremos a los miembros de la comunidad las herramientas necesarias para conectar a adultos y niños vulnerables con recursos de apoyo. Juntos, podemos ser los ojos y los oídos de la fuerza laboral de nuestra comunidad para reconocer las señales de trata de personas y actuar.
Descarga de la Presentación

¿Quiénes deberían asistir?
Este programa está enfocado en educar y empoderar a todos, incluyendo a personas en todo tipo de lugares de trabajo (agricultura, hospitalidad, construcción y otros servicios), comunidades religiosas, servicios sociales, organizaciones sin fines de lucro, grupos vecinales, padres, estudiantes, maestros, el sistema de justicia, el sector de la salud y al público en general, para que puedan entender cómo identificar situaciones de trata sexual o laboral y tomar acción.
Los temas y ejemplos estarán enfocados en la comunidad latina, en quienes podrían estar en riesgo de trata y en quienes podrían proporcionar recursos o educar a otros. Alentamos a miembros de la comunidad que puedan encontrarse con víctimas y sobrevivientes de trata sexual y laboral, o que deseen brindarles apoyo, a realizar una capacitación inicial para aprender qué es la trata de personas, comprender las tácticas de los traficantes, conocer mejor las respuestas y necesidades de las víctimas y sobrevivientes, y aprender cómo apoyarlas.
More Training and Education Resources
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Presented entirely in Spanish, with English subtitles, this program is for anyone interested in learning the basics of human trafficking. Designed for the Spanish-speaking community and their allies, presenters will provide information on how to recognize both sex and labor trafficking situations, how to safely respond, how to get help to those who are sex and labor trafficked, and how to prevent human trafficking. We will equip community members with the skills needed to link vulnerable adults and children to supportive resources. Together, we can be the eyes and ears of our community’s workforce to recognize the signs of trafficking and take action.
Presentation Download
Who Should Attend:
This program is focused on educating and empowering everyone, including those in workplaces of all kinds (agriculture, hospitality, construction, and other services), faith communities, social services, non-profit organizations, neighborhood groups, parents, students, teachers, the justice system, healthcare, and everyone, so they can understand how to spot sex or labor trafficking situations and take action.
Topics and examples will focus on the Latino community, who might be at risk of trafficking, and those who might be able to provide resources or educate others. We welcome community members who may encounter or support victims and survivors of sex and labor trafficking and who want an initial training session to learn what human trafficking is, understand traffickers’ tactics, gain insights into victims’ and survivors’ responses and needs, and how to support victims and survivors.
Bios:

Vania Aguilar, Ed.D. FSU Center for the Advancement of Human Rights (FSU CAHR)
Dr. Aguilar is a program director at FSU CAHR and has had DOJ accreditation since 2013. She assists victims of violent crimes, including trafficking, asylum seekers, DACA recipients, and refugees, in seeking immigration relief. In addition, she is a board member of the Survive and Thrive Advocacy Center and coordinates several efforts with community partners to support victims and survivors of crime, as well as other immigrants who may qualify for various services.
La Dra. Aguilar es directora de programas en el FSU CAHR y ha sido acreditada por el Departamento de Justicia para representar a personas en casos de inmigración desde 2013. Ella da asistencia legal principalmente a víctimas de crímenes violentos, incluyendo a víctimas de trata de personas, a refugiados, en casos de asilo, y de DACA, quienes pueden calificar para un remedio migratorio. Además, forma parte de la junta directiva de Survive and Thrive Advocacy Center y coordina varias iniciativas con organizaciones de la comunidad para apoyar a víctimas de crímenes y a otras personas inmigrantes que pueden calificar para diversos servicios.

Shayla Gonzalez, Crisis Center of Tampa Bay
Shayla Gonzalez holds a B.A. in Criminology with a minor in Forensic Behavioral Health from the University of South Florida. She has contributed to research on mental health services and their impact in the Tampa Bay community through her work with the USF SPRUCE Lab. Shayla has direct experience supporting survivors of sexual assault through her work with the Crisis Center of Tampa Bay, and currently serves as a Sexual Assault Services and Mental Health Ambassador, leading community outreach and facilitating trainings on human trafficking awareness and prevention.
Shayla Gonzalez recibió un bachillerato en Criminología con una subespecialización en Salud Conductual Forense por la Universidad del Sur de Florida. Ha contribuido a investigaciones sobre los servicios de salud mental y su impacto en la comunidad de Tampa Bay a través de su trabajo con el laboratorio USF SPRUCE. Cuenta con experiencia directa en el apoyo a sobrevivientes de agresión sexual mediante su labor en el Crisis Center of Tampa Bay y actualmente se desempeña como Embajadora de Servicios para Víctimas de Agresión Sexual y Salud Mental, liderando iniciativas de alcance comunitario y facilitando capacitaciones sobre la concienciación y prevención de la trata de personas.

Graciela Marquina, MSW, The Survive and Thrive Advocacy Center (STAC)
Graciela Marquina is the Community Service Advocate at the Survive and Thrive Advocacy Center. A skilled interviewer of victims and survivors of labor and sex trafficking, she is a passionate advocate for systemic change and community resilience. She brings extensive experience in nonprofit organizations and provides training and education on human trafficking to communities across the state, including NGOs and government agencies. A dedicated social worker with a Master of Social Work degree, she is deeply committed to ending human trafficking.
Graciela Marquina es Promotora de Servicios Comunitarios en el Centro de Sobrevivencia y Prosperidad Comunitaria. Es trabajadora social con amplia experiencia en la entrevista a víctimas y sobrevivientes de trata de personas, tanto laboral como sexual. Le apasiona trabajar por el cambio del sistema y el fortalecimiento de las comunidades. Cuenta con una sólida trayectoria en organizaciones sin fines de lucro y brinda capacitación y educación sobre la trata de personas a diversas comunidades, incluyendo ONG y agencias gubernamentales. Es titulada con una Maestría en Trabajo Social y está profundamente comprometida con la erradicación de la trata de personas.
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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

Recognizing and Responding to Human Trafficking in the Non-Profit Workplace
2026-06-25 14:00 - 15:30
Human trafficking is happening in our communities—and many victims remain hidden in plain sight. Join Survive & Thrive Advocacy Center (STAC) for a powerful training focused on recognizing the signs of sex and labor trafficking and learning how nonprofit professionals can respond effectively and compassionately.
This session is ideal for nonprofit staff, supervisors, managers, volunteers, and interns who want to better support the individuals and communities they serve. Attendees will receive a certificate and become STACPRO Certified.
Thursday, June 25, 2026
2:00 PM – 3:30 PM ET
Learn. Recognize. Respond. Make a difference.
Register today to reserve your spot.
Register Here

Closer Than You Think: Unmasking Familial Trafficking and Closing the Gaps That Keep It Hidden
2026-07-17 13:00 - 14:30
When trafficking happens within the family, it often goes unseen, not because the signs aren’t there, but because our communities and the systems designed to protect children aren’t always equipped to recognize them. This session will challenge common myths and misconceptions about familial trafficking and child exploitation, and explore the critical gaps that prevent identification across law enforcement, child protective services, schools, nonprofits, and medical settings.
Presenter Hillary Evans, Director of Social Impact at 3Strands Global Foundation (3SGF), will introduce PROTECT — 3SGF’s evidence-based K-12 prevention education program — and discuss how a wraparound support model can equip the trusted adults and systems in a child’s life to both identify exploitation and prevent initial and recurring harm. Attendees will leave with a clearer picture of what familial trafficking looks like, why it’s so often missed, and how coordinated cross-sector response can make the difference.
This session is relevant to law enforcement, child welfare professionals, educators, healthcare providers, nonprofit staff, and anyone committed to building safer systems for children and families.

Additional Resources:

Website
Free Learnings
About PROTECT
Closer Than You Think Slide Deck

About the Presenters:
Hillary Evans
Hillary Evans is an advocate, educator, lived experience expert and seasoned professional with over a decade of experience in the prevention education landscape. She believes in providing person-centered, trauma-informed approaches that empower people to recognize all forms of abuse and become educated beyond what they have seen about human trafficking in movies and on TV. She collaborates closely with education systems, social services, nonprofits, technologists, and government agencies, establishing cross-functional teams that optimize services for those who have experienced exploitation.
Hillary’s lived experience has become a cornerstone of her advocacy, infusing her work with authenticity and a deep understanding of the complex challenges faced by survivors. She is a passionate force committed to developing programs that address human trafficking on both domestic and international fronts. Her commitment extends beyond professional expertise; it’s a personal mission driven by a profound belief in the power of education and understanding. This holistic approach, informed by both her professional background and lived experience, positions her as a valuable advocate and leader in the fight against human trafficking.
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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

A Turning Point: Trade Policy and the Global Fight Against Forced Labor
2026-07-29 12:00 - 13:00
Join the Human Trafficking Legal Center for a virtual briefing on the latest developments in global trade policy and the fight against forced labor. President Martina Vandenberg and Human Rights & Trade Policy Director Anasuya Syam will discuss recent U.S. trade investigations, proposed tariffs, and how import bans are becoming a powerful tool in addressing forced labor in global supply chains. Gain timely insights into what these changes mean and why they matter.
Wednesday, July 29, 2026
12:00 PM – 1:00 PM ET
Register Here

Big Bend Coalition Against Human Trafficking (BBCAHT) Meeting
2026-08-06 14:00 - 15:00
Join the Big Bend Coalition Against Human Trafficking (BBCAHT) for their upcoming meeting on August 6, 2026, at 2:00 PM. The meeting will be held at the FDLE TROC Building (2090 Summit Lake Rd, Tallahassee, FL 32317). Community members and partners are encouraged to attend and collaborate on efforts to combat human trafficking in the Big Bend region.
Thursday, August 6, 2026
2:00 PM ET

Labor Trafficking and Forced Criminality: Understanding the Scope, Trends and Response
2026-08-21 13:00 - 14:30
This session will provide an introduction to Framework, a national technical assistance provider whose aim is to increase the capacity of social services providers and other community-based organizations to identify and provide transformative services to survivors of labor trafficking and to help them to garner resources and build partnerships necessary to increase identification, services, and healing. Presenters will also provide an overview of labor trafficking in the US, a look into forced criminality of children and adults, information about the services and remedies available to survivors, and additional resources to explore.

About the Presenters:
Florencia Dominguez, Technical Advisor, Anti-trafficking Programs
Florencia Dominguez serves as the Anti-trafficking Technical Advisor providing technical assistance and support to International Rescue Committee’s anti-trafficking and child protection (HSPRS) programs across the United States, as well as to a wide array of service providers through the federally funded Framework initiative. She has over 10 years of experience working with anti-trafficking, refugee and unaccompanied children programming as a caseworker and various leadership roles.

Kristina Bailey, Program Coordinator, Framework

Kristina Bailey (she/her/ella) graduated from Florida State University with both a bachelor’s and a master’s degree in Social Work. She has been with the IRC since June of 2019, first working with the IRC Tallahassee office as Human Trafficking Program Coordinator and then as Anti-Trafficking Program Supervisor. Kristina successfully ran the IRC Tallahassee Anti-Trafficking program through its first grant cycle, and into its second, which included the awarding of a second grant and hiring of more staff to expand capacity. Kristina stepped into the role of Program Officer, Anti-Trafficking Programs in October 2022, and as part of the anti-trafficking technical unit, provided technical support to 13 IRC offices with anti-trafficking programming via federal funding, as well as support to the Framework project – which is the federally funded labor trafficking training and technical assistance provider – at which Kristina is currently the Program Coordinator. Kristina has been passionate about the field of human rights and anti-trafficking since she was a teenager and is deeply interested in the macro-level work that can be done in this field. Outside of her career, Kristina is a happily married mom of three and enjoys spending time with her family and reading book after book on her Kindle.
Register Here

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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

STAC Third Friday Webinar Series Program (Sept 2026)
2026-09-18 13:00 - 14:30
The Survive and Thrive Advocacy Center (STAC) Third Friday Webinar Series Program 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.
Throughout this series, we will explore the complexities of human trafficking, featuring expert insights from sex and labor trafficking survivors, law enforcement officials, anti-trafficking advocates, legal professionals, and researchers. Each session will delve into specific topics, including the impact of social media and the trafficking of youth online, identification of trafficking situations, familial trafficking, the often hidden realities of labor trafficking, the psychological and physical toll on survivors, legal frameworks and strategies, and promising practices designed for prevention and intervention.
Our goal is to empower participants with the knowledge and tools necessary to recognize, prevent, and safely respond to both sex and labor trafficking. Whether you are a concerned citizen, a professional in a related field, a faith community member, and educator, a business person, or someone seeking to make a difference, this webinar series will provide valuable information and actionable steps to support survivors and fortify your family and community. Join us and contribute to the global fight against this exploitation.
Webinar descriptions, registration, and speaker info: Coming Soon
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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

Human Trafficking Summit
2026-09-29 13:00 - 14:30
WHAT TO EXPECT
Subject Matter Experts
Presentations from subject matter experts will educate attendees on emerging trends, best practices, and innovations in the field.
Continuing Legal Education (CLEs)
The Florida Bar CLE course number and number of credit hours will be determined once the course materials have been reviewed.
Fully Virtual
Learn at your own pace. All sessions, including the keynote speech, will be pre-recorded and available for pre-registered attendees to view through March 2027.
Tuesday, September 29, 2026
1:00 PM – 2:30 PM ET
Register today to reserve your spot.
Register Here
