Leaders championing human trafficking prevention presented a special awareness event March 25 at the Nevada National Security Sites (NNSS). Led by the NNSS’ Strategic Operations and Response Support (SOARS) team in collaboration with critical community partners, the first-of-its-kind forum measured the implications of human trafficking within the framework of national security, emergency management and security operations.
“Millions of people are trapped in a nightmare of exploitation, forced labor or sex trafficking, often in plain sight,” said NNSS SOARS Manager Lucas Basham Murphy. “Today we’re here to shine a light on that dark reality, to understand how it infiltrates our communities and to learn how we all play a part and critical role in preventing and combatting human trafficking. The fight starts with awareness — and it starts now with what we’re doing today.”
The forum featured presentations by Diplomatic Security Service (DSS) Special Agent Matthew Wagner, who detailed DSS’ worldwide security and law enforcement reach, the investigation of transnational crimes and interagency partnerships; Basham Murphy and NNSS Principal Emergency Management Specialist Reed Beckmeyer, who spotlighted how vulnerable populations can be targeted in times of crisis and the ways emergency responders can be equipped to identify trafficking indicators; Nevada Attorney General’s Office Chief Deputy Attorney General Alissa Engler, who examined characteristic trends of traffickers and penalties under Nevada state law; and Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department Assistant to Human Trafficking Coordinator Dr. Kareen Benson and The Denise Amber Lee Foundation Instructor Tina DeCola, who assessed the ways in which victims are targeted and how the emergency management community can stay vigilant about trafficking indicators and reporting situations of concern. Panelists were joined by Clark County Public Safety Department Officer Summer Danneker for a special question-and-answer discussion.
“Addressing human trafficking requires our collective effort to raise awareness, implement preventative strategies and promote human trafficking reporting and support systems,” said Beckmeyer. “By educating ourselves on the problem, like we are here today with the support of outstanding guest speakers, we can remain ever vigilant to the signs of trafficking and better protect vulnerable populations, the efficiency of our organization and our collective security.”
