WASHINGTON (May 17, 2004) -- The U.S. State Department estimates that approximately 20,000 people are trafficked into the United States annually. A modern form of slavery, human trafficking forces men, women, and children into pornography, prostitution and other sexual exploitation, as well as labor exploitation. Several U.S. government agencies have strategically targeted Philadelphia in their efforts to prevent trafficking, to protect victims, and to prosecute traffickers. The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops/Migration and Refugee Services (USCCB/MRS) and coalitions like one comprised of religious organizations in Philadelphia have been instrumental in reinforcing government efforts. This conference, intended as an introduction to the horrors of trafficking, is free and open to the public.

WHAT:     City-wide "Stop Trafficking of People" Conference

WHEN:     Wednesday, May 19

WHERE:   Wyndham Franklin Hotel, 17th & Race Sts., Philadelphia

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

Steve Wagner, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Refugee Resettlement
Damian D'Armas, U.S. Department of Homeland Security
Robert Courtney, Deputy U.S. Attorney
March Bell and Brad Schlozman, U.S Department of Justice
Laurie Latuda and Margaret MacDonnell, USCCB/MRS

Conference speakers will be available for individual interviews as their schedules allow. Advance arrangements, made through the USCCB Department of Communications, are encouraged.
The conference is being organized by School Sister of Notre Dame Mary Ellen Dougherty. For more information contact Sister Dougherty at 202-541-3256or by email at mdougherty@usccb.org.