Our Combatting Human Trafficking team kicked off February in Windsor, England with the inaugural Global Prosecutors Consortium on Human Trafficking Summit. In partnership with Justice & Care, the McCain Institute created the Consortium, to bring together prosecutors to discuss the challenges, and opportunities, around investigating and prosecuting human trafficking and forced labor cases. Convening for the first time in person since its launch in 2021, Consortium members and advisors spent three days participating in scenario-based trainings and created invaluable global connections with other experts in the field.
Sophie Otiende, survivor leader and CEO of the Global Fund to End Modern Slavery, provided opening remarks at the Summit, challenging participants to rethink what justice means to victims of human trafficking. During scenario-based training sessions led by AEquitas Attorney Advisor Jane Anderson, Consortium members worked together to plan a victim-centered approach to prosecuting a complex hypothetical human trafficking case. Consortium Advisors Katharina Thon and Anne-Lise Robin from the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe spoke to participants about the myth of the “perfect victim” of trafficking, the negative impacts of myths on anti-trafficking efforts, and their paper ‘Applying Gender Sensitive Approaches in Combatting Trafficking in Human Beings.’ The Summit concluded with an exciting day trip into London for a tour of the Royal Courts of Justice, a training session on secondary trauma, and meetings with esteemed guest speakers Theresa May and Dame Mary Stacey.
Throughout the Summit, Consortium members had opportunities to network, share best practices, and form lasting connections that will help bolster human trafficking prosecutions throughout the regions represented.