Live reporting by
Perry Sylvester
Councilmember Angela Whitfield-Calloway’s efforts to drive awareness about human trafficking continued in a well-attended event featuring local and national leaders.
Perry Sylvester
@PerrySylvester6
Hey Detroit! Sat, 8/3 at noon I live tweet Det Human Trafficking Task Force Education Forum for @DetDocumenters #DETdocumenters & media partners
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12:46 PM Aug 2, 2024 CDT
Hmmm...it seems that some additional posts are showing as separate rather than part of thread...🧐
So, what I was trying to say (😆😆😆) was that the educational forum is happening at Palmer Park, and part of a full day of events. You can learn more here:
detroitmi.gov/events/stampin…
And here is a link to info on the issue...and I know I hit "reply" on those previous posts. I think.
detroitmi.gov/government/cit…
Okay, getting here 10 minutes after start…presenter asks audience “what do you do if someone disrespects them online?”
Introduces members of the survivors council—-education, prevention and empowerment are goals of their work
Theme of message is positive and importance of walking the talk…
About 40 people here…another presenter (recent college grad) comes up to describe her work as peer advisor…describing her experience of being harassed and how it was a starting point to work with task force and council
Next presenter asks how many in audience have been cyber bullied or harassed…about 10 or so raise their hand
She relates being at a UN meeting with 30000 attendees where everyone spoke of experience in online harassment
Points out sextortion is on the rise, majority 13-16 and large increase amongst white male population
Another presenter comes up and points out Detroit police and homeland security have a table with information…introducing DHS person who will speak…describing how he first learned of human trafficking
Okay, tried to do a video but upload suspended…he is pointing out that stopping human trafficking is best achieved through a broad community response
Okay, finally back…video took nearly 15 minutes to upload. Basically, his “Bill Kennedy at the Movies” was interrupted by a civil rights documentary that changed his life
There have been two other presenters from federal government,,,now director from Polaris (sp?) and host of national human trafficking hotline….describing what is and how it functions
What we know from 17 years of running the hotline is that even though a national system, most learn about it from LOCAL events like this
Assistant to Council Member Calloway…she chairs the task force and makes closing remarks—this is 2nd event, they have passed an ordinance in Detroit and looking for a statewide effort/action
And some of the voices from participants..michiganabolitionistproject.org #michiganabolitionistproject
@SparrowFP Finally, if you want a good rundown of the Detroit Human Trafficking Task Force activities, check out this video from Calloway's Chief of Staff and Task Force Director Thomaesa Bailey:
@SparrowFP Well, okey-dokey…somehow it 10:30ish in the evening, but that is what happens when an event gives you lots to ponder…if anything in this coverage is inaccurate email documenters@outliermedia.org with Correction Request in subject line