January 22, 2021
In honor of Human Trafficking Awareness Month, the SAFE Center partnered with the Prince George’s County Human Trafficking Task Force to co-host U.S. Senator Benjamin Cardin of Maryland for a virtual conversation about human trafficking efforts in Maryland. Following opening remarks by Prince George’s County Executive Angela Alsobrooks, Senator Cardin heard brief presentations from numerous representatives from the Prince George’s County Task Force who advocated for increased federal support for anti-trafficking efforts and highlighted collective endeavors to identify and respond to survivors of trafficking, detect and prosecute traffickers, and raise community awareness of local trafficking issues.
These speakers and valued partners included:
- Renee Battle-Brooks, Executive Director, Prince George’s County Human Relations Commission
Chair, Prince George’s County Human Trafficking Task Force - Susan Esserman, Founder & Director, University of Maryland SAFE Center
- Aisha Braveboy, State’s Attorney for Prince George’s County
- Hector Velez, Chief of Police, Prince George’s County Police Department
- Joseph Baldwin, Assistant United States Attorney, United State’s Attorney’s Office–Greenbelt, MD
- Cheryl Banks, Community Educator/Volunteer Coordinator, UM Prince George’s Hospital Center- Domestic Violence/Sexual Assault Center
- Tina Frundt, Executive Director & Founder, Courtney’s House
- Dr. Denise McCain, Director, Prince George’s County Family Justice Center
- Jackie Rhone, Division Manager, Prince George’s County Department of Family Services – Domestic Violence & Human Trafficking Division
- Gary Cunningham, Deputy Director, Prince George’s County Department of Permitting, Inspections, & Enforcement
- Roberta Phillips, Chief Executive Officer, Prince George’s County Memorial Library System