Human Trafficking 101: Complexities of Victim Defendants

MERCY GATE MINISTRIES IS ACCREDITED BY THE STATE BAR OF TEXAS TO PROVIDE 6 MANDATORY CONTINUING LEGAL EDUCATION HOURS (CLE) AND 2 HOURS OF ETHICS FOR COMPLETION OF THIS COURSE.

THIS TRAINING IS MADE POSSIBLE THROUGH GRANT SUPPORT FROM THE OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR, PUBLIC SAFETY OFFICE, CRIMINAL JUSTICE DIVISION AND THE TEXAS BAR FOUNDATION.

THIS COURSE IS LISTED ON THE TEXAS BAR ASSOCIATION WEBSITE UNDER COURSE NO: 174207961 AND THE MERCY GATE SPONSOR NO: A17372.

If you are interested in joining as a non-legal participant, please reach out to Karla (karla@mercygateminsitries.com) for limited reduced ticket rates.

About the Training

Human Trafficking 101: Complexities of Victim Defendants is a 6-hour CLE course focusing on 1) Defining Victims of Sex Trafficking, 2) Recognizing Victim Defendants, and 3) Supporting Victim Defendants throughout the legal process.

Training sections include understanding trauma, Human Trafficking 101, sex trafficking and exploitation, subculture and language, legal challenges, barriers to success, interviewing techniques, current laws (state and federal), and successful victim defendants’ outcomes. Awareness and identification of victims of sex trafficking and sexual exploitation who enter the criminal justice system are critical to ensure equal justice and successful restoration and rehabilitation.

We will be providing continental breakfast, hot buffet style lunch (street tacos), and afternoon snacks

Agenda

About the Presenters

Lead Presenter: Karla Solomon, Outreach & Training Director for Mercy Gate Ministries

Karla also serves as a Subject Matter Expert and Survivor Consultant for the Department of Homeland Security’s Blue Campaign and Blue Lightning Initiative. With DHS she presents at national events, has participated in multiple survivor panel discussions with DHS Secretary Mayorkas, and was on site during the filming of DHS’s flagship General Public Indicators (GPI) Training and Aviation Awareness Training Video which has been visited 244,477 times and the aviation video has trained over 350,000 staff nationwide, including over 26,000 from Texas based airports and airlines. Tips generated from these training efforts have had a tangible impact, leading to victim recoveries and federal investigations into human trafficking networks.

Karla has partnered with multiple local, state and federal Law Enforcement agencies to provide specialized training and assistance. Karla often trains the Department of Public Safety Special Agents alongside the same agent who recovered her from her trafficking experience. She has directly assisted law enforcement with arrests of over 200 buyers and the recovery of more than 30 victims through her support in Undercover Hotel Operations with multiple agencies across Texas. In addition, she serves as a Council Member for the Human Trafficking Survivor Leader Council with the Office of the Governor for the State of Texas and as a Community Education Partner with the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children. She also serves as a Board Member for many anti trafficking organizations.

Ms. Solomon is not only a Subject Matter Expert, but she is also in the 1% who broke free from this modern-day slavery. Her personal experiences of being trafficked as a child and an adult gives her first-hand knowledge of the atrocities of sexual exploitation and makes her a powerful and compassionate advocate for survivor restoration. The number one comment we receive from the training and public speaking engagements conducted by Ms. Solomon is the appreciation and impact of her testimony which gives a greater understanding of the reality and brutality of this crime.

Ms. Solomon is also committed to rehabilitating those in the criminal justice system, treating the trauma and stigmatism of all those rescued from the sex industry, and preventing others from falling victim to it. She is a powerful advocate on the state and national level, working with governmental and other nonprofit organizations to identify and combat sex trafficking and sexual exploitation. She has trained health professionals, educators, hotel administrators, court and law enforcement officials, airport personnel, the military, and other community stakeholders to recognize exploitation and how to report it.

Special Guest Speaker
Michael Camal
Senior Engagement Manager
DHS Center for Countering Human Trafficking
U.S. Department of Homeland Security

Guest Panel Members for the Alexis Martin Case Study (1:00 – 2:30 p.m.)

Prosecutor – TBD Defense Attorney – TBD

If you are interested in joining as a non-legal participant, please reach out to Karla (karla@mercygateminsitries.com) for limited reduced ticket rates.