The Town of Brookhaven’s Office of Women’s Services and the Women’s Services Advisory Board will present an educational workshop, Human Trafficking 102: Identification to Justice. This will take place on September 24 from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at Brookhaven Town Hall, located at 1 Independence Hill in Farmingville.
This critical community program is designed to deepen public understanding of human trafficking by exploring the journey from victim identification through the pursuit of justice. Attendees will learn how multidisciplinary teams — law enforcement, prosecutors, survivor leaders, healthcare professionals, and advocates — work together to support victims and hold traffickers accountable.
The keynote speaker will be Suffolk County Police Commissioner Kevin Catalina, who will provide insight into current human trafficking trends, challenges faced by law enforcement, and the importance of coordinated community response efforts.
The keynote will be followed by an expert panel discussion featuring leaders in anti-trafficking work
- Feride Castillo, the director and cofounder of ECLI-VIBES
- Det. Sgt. James Johnson of the Suffolk County Police Department Human Trafficking Investigations Unit
- Inv. Sgt. Erin Meunkle from the Suffolk County Sheriff’s Anti-Trafficking Initiative
- Deputy Unit Chief ADA Vanessa Overland from the Suffolk County District Attorney’s H.E.A.T. Unit
- Laura Mullen, a survivor expert, advocate and cofounder/president of ECLI-VIBES
Together, they will share real case examples, highlight collaborative strategies, and explain how community members can play an active role in recognizing and responding to trafficking. The program will conclude with a live question-and-answer session, giving attendees the opportunity to engage directly with the panel.
Community members, educators, healthcare professionals, social service providers, faith leaders, students, and anyone interested in learning how to recognize signs of trafficking and strengthen the community’s response are encouraged to attend.
Additional details can be viewed here.
To RSVP or for more information, contact Sharon Boyd at 631-451-6146 or womenservices@brookhavenny.gov.