Scottsdale Community College is hosting Human Trafficking Awareness Week Nov. 14-16, to educate the public, especially students and educators, about the signs, consequences and different forms of human trafficking. 

Human trafficking impacts everyone regardless of race, age, gender or income. Every year, millions of men, women, and children are trafficked worldwide – including in the United States. Traffickers can use violence, manipulation or false promises to lure victims into trafficking situations. By raising awareness and fostering a proactive community response, Arizonans can contribute to the global efforts to eradicate this horrendous crime.

“Scottsdale Community College is the ideal place to host this critical series of events,” saidSCC President Eric Leshinskie. “Educators and students are connected with almost every industry in Arizona, and every industry is at risk of being used by traffickers to find, transport, or exploit their victims. Through awareness and education, we can create a strong network of advocates who are equipped to stop trafficking in its tracks.”

Starting Tuesday, Nov. 14, SCC will host a series of human trafficking experts from across the state, beginning with a presentation by Rachelle Lumpp of the Arizona Attorney General's Office from noon to 1:30 p.m. in the Indigenous Cultural Center (ICC), room 221-222.

On Wednesday, Nov. 15, from noon to 1:30 p.m., a panel of experts from various sectors will convene to analyze this crisis from multiple angles and answer questions from the community. Panelists include:

• Michelle Rucker – Arizona's Anti-trafficking Network
• Sgt. Andrew Parrott – Scottsdale Police Department, Human Trafficking and Exploitation Unit
• Karen Cahn, Marriott’s Director of Public Relations and Marketing
• Marc Telzlaff – U.S. Department of Homeland Security

On Thursday, Nov. 16, the documentaries “Sex Trafficking In America” and “Sisters Rising” will be shown in the Science Lecture (SL) building, classroom 106. “Sex Trafficking In America” was filmed in Phoenix and will be shown at 10 a.m. and noon. “Sisters Rising” will be shown at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m.

A donation drive to benefit Arizona's Anti-trafficking Network (aatn.org) is being coordinated on campus. Items collected assist victims in coming out of trafficking situations. Ten donation boxes will be on campus Nov. 13-17, and a list of requested items can be found by visiting bit.ly/scc-ht-awareness-week-fall23.

All Human Trafficking Awareness Week events are free and open to the public – advanced registration is recommended. For more information and to RSVP, visit bit.ly/scc-ht-lunch-rsvp.