Press Releases
Posey to Host Symposium on Combating Human Trafficking
Melbourne, FL,
December 15, 2015
On Monday, January 11, 2016, Congressman Bill Posey will host a Symposium on Combating Human Trafficking from 7:30AM to 12Noon at the Bernard Simpkins Fine Arts Center at Eastern Florida State College in Cocoa in observance of Human Trafficking Awareness Day. The event will bring together local experts in the field to discuss Florida’s efforts in the fight against trafficking to gain local insight on effective strategies to prevent human trafficking and to inform the public on how to engage in combating this growing problem. Greg Pallone from Channel 13 News will moderate the main discussion panel.
“Human trafficking is a modern form of slavery that enables criminals who both traffic and exploit individuals, including many young girls, to make a huge profit. Few things are crueler in our society and we have a moral obligation to end it,” said Congressman Bill Posey. “There are many in our community who are actively engaged in fighting human trafficking and meeting the needs of victims. This symposium is an opportunity for residents in our community to gain a better understanding of human trafficking issues and how we can work together to put an end to these heinous crimes.” “Zonta International has been fighting human trafficking for at least twelve years. The Zonta Club of Melbourne has been very active in the fight by making our own community and beyond aware of human trafficking and how rampant this horrific crime has become,” said Claire Ellis, Anti-Human Trafficking Chair and Membership Chair of the Zonta Club of Melbourne. “By educating ourselves and others, there is hope for identifying and reporting the signs.” “Modern day slavery may never be eradicated in my lifetime, but I can do my part to eradicate slavery from as many lives as possible. To that victim, it will feel like slavery was eradicated in their lifetime,” said Bill Stanley, co-founder of the Nomad Community Church in Melbourne and the East Coast Human Trafficking Task Force. “Human Trafficking is not a White, Asian, Hispanic, or Black problem, it's a people problem. And when the people come together and stand up for victims, the traffickers won't stand a chance,” said Dr. Anthony Davis, Chairman of the East Coast Human Trafficking Task Force and Vice-Chair of the Greater Orlando Human Trafficking Task Force. “I attended Representative Posey’s last Human Trafficking Symposium and it was an eye opener. I had known about the basics of human trafficking, but I lacked the information that was provided by law enforcement, victim advocates, and others who are there to support victims and stop these perpetrators. I look forward to attending the upcoming symposium,” said Deacon Jack Rhine, representative of the Catholic Diocese of Orlando to the East Coast Human Trafficking Task Force. What: Rep. Posey Hosts a Symposium on Combating Human Trafficking When: Monday, January 11, 2016 from 7:30AM – 12:00Noon Where: Bernard Simpkins Fine Arts Center Eastern Florida State College 1519 Clearlake Rd, Cocoa, FL 32922 The Event is open to the public. Constituents interested in attending can RSVP online at /RSVP/ |
