The University of Nebraska-Lincoln will host the sixth annual Interdisciplinary Conference on Human Trafficking Oct. 9-11.
The conference keynote will be delivered by Victor Malarek, author of "The Natashas: Inside the Global Sex Trade," and "The Johns: Sex for Sale and the Men Who Buy It." Malarek will give a free, public lecture on sex trafficking on Oct. 10 from 10 to 11 a.m. in the Jackie Gaughan Multicultural Center's Unity Room. Malarek has been a journalist for four decades and is senior investigative reporter for the Canadian television network CTV.
Other free public events include:
• "Legal Advocacy for Trafficking Victims," a pre-conference panel discussion led by Shavers. The event is noon Oct. 9 in the College of Law's auditorium. Panelists will include Robin Haarr, a professor of justice studies at Eastern Kentucky University who conducts research on women and children’s issues; Amber Schlote, an Omaha Police officer who investigates child exploitation; and Stephen O’Meara, a former assistant United States attorney who helped found the FBI-led Omaha Child Exploitation Task Force.
• "International Human Trafficking," a lecture by Haarr, professor of justice studies at Eastern Kentucky University. The talk is 4:30 to 6 p.m. Oct. 9 in the Nebraska Union Auditorium. Haarr recently visited Nepal to discuss human trafficking issues and the challenges associated with effectively building awareness, prevention and prosecution programs in Kathmandu, Hetauda and Birgunj.
• "We Are More Than Our Stories," a discussion led by sex trafficking survivors. The event is 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. Oct. 10 in the Nebraska Union Heritage Room. Kristy Childs, Sandi Pierce and Jeri Williams will lead the discussion. Starting at age 12, Childs was trafficked as a prostitute for more than two decades. In 2000, she founded Veronica's Voice, an organization dedicated to ending commercial sexual exploitation in the United States. Pierce is a research scientist who works with the University of Minnesota's University Research and Community Education Center to define juvenile sex trafficking in Minneapolis. Pierce is a survivor of child and adult sex trafficking. Williams is diversity and civic leadership coordinator for Portland, Ore. She is the survivor of a violent, gang-controlled pimping operation and has helped launch a support group for sexually exploited women.