By: Ali Elizabeth Turner
Last year, more than 100 community volunteers, law enforcement officers, counselors, social workers, emergency response personnel, ministers, survivors, and many others gathered at the Jackson Center in Huntsville to discuss a difficult topic, and more importantly, what we as a community can do about it. That topic is the sex trade, both in terms of what is typically thought of as prostitution, and the more recent development of organized sex trafficking. Of course, assisting in the restoration of those that have been trafficked is top-of-mind, and implementing practices that can prevent it are just as vital.
Registration is open to anyone, including those who are concerned citizens, parents, or grandparents seeking to be an informed part of the solution. Speaking for myself, I am looking forward to attending and am confident it will be a valuable investment of my time and resources. The conference price of $40 will include breakfast pastries, a buffet lunch, exhibitor tables for organizations dealing with trafficking, and the ability of getting 5 CEUs for attending the conference. It will be held at the Jackson Center from 9 a.m.-3:30 p.m. To register, go to https://givebutter.com/fortifyalabama.
It is unthinkable to consider that there has never been a time in human history when more people have been enslaved, but it’s true. Trafficking, which includes forced labor as well as sex trafficking, is second only to the drug trade, according to Homeland Security, and the I-20 pipeline here in Alabama is a hotspot. As a nation that paid a horrific price to eradicate slavery, it stands to reason that we as Americans and especially Alabamians are uniquely positioned to obliterate this blight. According to the International Labor Office, in 2024, trafficking generated $236 BILLION in revenue.
The purpose of this year’s conference is to educate the public regarding what is referred to as the “Five Ps” of trafficking, and to do so through the presentations of people who have either been trafficked, their parents, law enforcement and trauma specialists, along with others who are dedicated to trafficking’s eradication. The Five Ps, according to www.endinghumantrafficking.org are:
· Prevention: This focuses on reducing vulnerability to trafficking by educating communities, schools, and individuals, particularly those in at-risk populations.
· Protection: This involves identifying and assisting victims, providing them with necessary support and services to aid their recovery and reintegration into society.
· Prosecution: This element centers on holding traffickers accountable for their crimes through legal action. This includes investigating and prosecuting cases to deter future offenses.
· Partnership: This emphasizes collaboration between various stakeholders, including law enforcement agencies, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), and international bodies, to address human trafficking effectively.
· Policy: This refers to developing and implementing policies and legislation that support anti-trafficking efforts, clarify roles and responsibilities, and provide a framework for effective action.
Recently I spoke with Nicole Wilson, the founder of Fortify Alabama, and who will also be one of the conference speakers. Nicole has experience in dealing with this issue and is dedicated to empowering as many people as possible in making an indelible mark on this unspeakable evil.
When we went to print, the confirmed speakers were as follows:
· Nicole Wilson – Founder and President of Fortify Alabama
· Captain Phil Simpson – Tuscaloosa Police Department and West Alabama Human Trafficking Task Force
· Investigator Jessica Wilson – Human Trafficking Expert and Certified Child Trauma Counselor
· Jared Miller – Founder and CEO of Freedom Aviation Network
· Chris Ziebach – Founder and Executive Director of Camille Place
· Leslie Watts – Mother of Trafficking Survivor and Teacher
· Drew Watts – Father of Trafficking Survivor and Retired Law Enforcement
It is expected that there will be more speakers to come.
In addition, there will be booths that will be staffed by various organizations that support the end of trafficking and those who are on the front lines of this battle, both as survivors and those who serve them. They are:
· Alabama Anti-Human Trafficking Alliance
· Barn of Grace Ministries
· Fortify Alabama
· Freedom Aviation Network
· North Alabama Human Trafficking Task Force
· Trafficking Hope
· Always Endure / House of Hope
· AshaKiran
· Camille Place
Vendor spots are still available. To register for the conference, go to https://givebutter.com/fortifyalabama, and thank you in advance for taking a stand to fortify Alabama the Beautiful. See you there!
By: Ali Elizabeth Turner
June 20, 2025
