WASHINGTON (July 28, 2003) -- An estimated 850,000 people are trafficked annually worldwide, according to the U.S. State Department, 20,000 of them into the United States. A modern form of slavery, human trafficking forces men, women, and children into pornography, prostitution and other sexual exploitation, as well as labor exploitation. Through a grant from the Office of Refugee Resettlement at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops/Migration and Refugee Services will begin educating segments of the public about the horrors of human trafficking. The effort will begin with members of women's religious communities from 20 states who have the potential to educate and influence others on behalf of victims of trafficking.

WHAT: Stop Trafficking of People Conference

WHEN: Tuesday, August 5 through Thursday, August 7

WHERE: Radisson Plaza Lord Baltimore, 20 West Baltimore St., Baltimore, MD

WHO: Conference speakers include top national experts on human trafficking:

• John Miller, State Department, Office to Combat and Monitor Trafficking in Persons
  
• Julianne Duncan, USCCB/MRS
  Steve Wagner, Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Refugee Resettlement
  
• Judge Nina Hickson, Fulton County (GA) Juvenile Court
  
• Damian DeArmas, Department of Homeland Security/INS
  
• Sister of St. Joseph Patricia Ash, Chaplain of the Baltimore City Detention Center for Women
  
• Mark Gilkey, Detective, Washington, DC, Metropolitan Police Department Prostitution Unit
  
• Sid Ford, Founder and Director of You Are Not Alone
  
• School Sister of Notre Dame Joan Hart
  
• School Sister of Notre Dame Mary Ellen Dougherty, USCCB/MRS

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