Outreach event discusses human trafficking

by Michele Catahay

Guam - An outreach event was held today at the Guam Premier Outlets in commemoration of National Slavery and Human Trafficking Prevention Month.  The U.S. Attorney's Office along with partners to include law enforcement, social service providers, victim service providers and education and other community stakeholders participated.

U.S. Attorney for Guam and the CNMI Alicia Limtiaco, "Everyone is sharing information about the types of services we provide and assist victims, consumers and the public with and again making sure that we are all aware of what's available and making sure that we also learn more about human trafficking."

Guam Attorney General Leonardo Rapadas says local law created a coalition to tackle this issue, noting, "We met earlier today and we want to do is make sure we put our efforts together and address this issue. I was talking to some of the providers here and I overheard citizens say 'human trafficking - that's here?' That tells me that we do need to go out there."

The U.S. Attorney's Office will also hold a Pacific Regional Conference entitled "Strategies for Justice, A Pacific Vision" from Tuesday through Friday of next week at the Sheraton Laguna Guam Resort. The conference will cover issues of human trafficking, child abuse, child sexual exploitation, crisis intervention, bullying, cyberbullying and sexting.