Human Trafficking Seminar

January is national Human Trafficking Awareness Month.   The Mission Commission of the Presbyterian Church in Westfield is sponsoring a seminar on Human Trafficking to be held on Saturday, January 19 from 9 AM to NOON in the Parish House Assembly Hall, 140 Mountain Ave, Westfield.  The focus of the seminar will be on the local and global impact of human trafficking and sexual exploitation.

Ryan Smith, Presbyterian Church (USA) liaison to the United Nations, will define what human trafficking is.  He will discuss UN and  PC(USA) initiatives and what we as communities, congregations and individuals can do to combat human trafficking.  In preparation for the Super Bowl being held at the Meadowlands in 2014 and the resulting anticipated increase in human trafficking abuses, Assemblywoman Valerie Huttle, representative of the 37th
legislative district, introduced a bill in the State Assembly and Senate recently, which would strengthen the state law against human trafficking.  Jennifer Holdsworth, Esq., Director of Policy and Communications in Assemblywoman Huttle’s office, will provide highlights of the bill and where it is in the legislative approval process.  A representative from the Union County Prosecutor’s Office will share information on how law enforcement is combating
human trafficking.  A light continental breakfast will be provided.  There is no charge for the seminar, however, registration is required.  Please phone the church office at
908-233-0301 or register online on the church website at westfieldpc.org.  This seminar is open to the community
and promises to be an informative session.