PAST
Human Trafficking: A Survivor’s Success Story with Theresa Flores — 5 pm Tuesday, March 2, 2021 — Webex
Theresa Flores, a human trafficking survivor, best-selling author, victim advocate and founder of Save Our Adolescents from Prostitution (SOAP), will discuss her experience and path of survival. Discover how prevalent human trafficking is in the US; leave with helpful information on how to prevent trafficking as well as red flags of a person being trafficked, the emotional implications this has on victims, and how to help them heal.
Women’s Center Sack Lunch Seminar. Vulnerable Populations: Homeless Youth — 12-1 pm Wednesday, September 30, 2020 — SUB 168
Many factors influence a person’s vulnerability to being trafficking, including gender, race, age, and socioeconomic status. One population that is particularly vulnerable are homeless youth. This presentation, by Tessa Sawyer from the HEART Initiative at MSU, will address why this population is vulnerable and how they are targeted by traffickers. Additionally, the impacts of the pandemic on trafficking of homeless youth will be explored. Audience participation is encouraged!
Women’s Center Sack Lunch Seminar: The Intersectionality of Human Trafficking and Identity. February 26 from 12-1pm. MSU SUB 168.
Through this presentation, we hope to demonstrate how systems of power intersect with human trafficking though the targetting of vulnerable populations. Race, gender, ethnicity, age and disability status of those impacted must be acknowledged in order to fully understand how the trafficking industry has been successful in the exploitation of millions.
Professional Development and Training Course. February 27 from 1-3pm. MSU SUB 168.
This interactive course will provide opportunities to examine your consumption and dive into innovative tools to evaluate companies and products to help you live by your values and positively impact lives across the globe. This course will deepen your understanding of how your consumption impacts humans and the environment. It will prompt you to think more critically about the goods and services you buy, including where, how, and by whom they were produced. You will gain valuable skills to consume more ethically and to share your knowledge with your colleagues, friends, and family members.
Week 5 of the 5 Week Speaker Series. Feb. 13 from 7-8:30pm. MSU SUB 233.
Dr. Carolyn West from the University of Washington presented her research examining images of black women in pornography. We will post a link to her documentary once it is public. 20 people attended. Please find the audio of the discussion below.
Week 4 of the 5 Week Speaker Series. Feb. 6 from 7-8:30pm. MSU SUB 233.
Five panelists discussed the Missing and Murdered Indigenous People’s crisis, including the President of the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls (MMIWG) Club, a graduate student in Native American Studies, and indigenous students impacted by the crisis. 20 people attended. Please find the audio of the talk below.
Week 3 of the 5 Week Speaker Series. Jan. 30 from 7-8:30pm. MSU SUB 233.
Dr. Katie Woods discusses her experience working as a medical doctor in refugee camps in Jordan and Bangladesh, including the reasons refugees are especially vulnerable to trafficking. Over 50 people attended. Please find the audio of the talk below.
Week 2 of the 5 Week Speaker Series. Jan. 23 from 7-8:30pm. MSU SUB 233.
HAVEN, Blueprint, Salvation Army, an Emergency Room Nurse, and Homeland Security Agent discuss local resources and factors that increase vulnerability to trafficking. Over 30 people attended. Please find the audio of the talk below.
Week 1 of the 5 Week Speaker Series. Jan. 16 from 7-8:30pm. MSU SUB 233.
Gallatin County Human Trafficking Task Force on the basics. Over 50 people attended. Please find the audio of the talk below.
Professional Development and Training Course: Ethical Consumption. November 21 from 1-3pm. MSU SUB 168.
Abducted in Plain Sight Documentary Screening. November 6 @ 6 pm. MSU SUB Procrastinator Theater.
The documentary Abducted in Plain Sight explores the power of coercion. Human trafficking is exploitation through force, fraud, or coercion, making this documentary exceedingly relevant to our mission of combatting inequality.
Surviving Human Trafficking Discussion Panel. October 1, 2019 from 6-8pm. MSU SUB BALLROOM A.
The HEART Initiative hosted a discussion panel, Surviving Human Trafficking, on Tuesday, October 1. It included perspectives from a survivor, medical professional, law enforcement, and service providers to explore what it means to be a survivor and the long process people often go through once out of the trafficking situation.
Documentary Screening. April 15, 2019. 5:30-7pm. Procrastinator Theater in the Strand Union Building at MSU.
The HEART Initiative hosted a documentary screening of Bling: A Planet Rock on Monday, April 15 at 5:30pm in the Procrastinator Theater. This feature documentary examines the role of consumers and celebrities play in furthering Sierra Leone’s exploitative diamond mining industry and subsequently, the country’s 10-year civil war. Hip-hop stars like Kayne West travel throughout Sierra Leone to witness the consequences the inequality that “blinging” often perpetuates, including child soldiers and refugees.
CLIFF Convention. March 8-10, 2019. Montana State University campus.
The objective of the CLIFF Convention (Collegiate Leadership in the Fight for Freedom) is to raise awareness and educate about human trafficking in Gallatin County and beyond using an interdisciplinary approach. It will be on campus in Norm Asbjornson Hall from March 8-10. Human trafficking is connected to an array of issues–poverty, gender inequality, climate change, racism, and labor rights, to name a few. Our target audience is students, community members, and Task Force members. Through speakers, break out sessions, and panels, this CLIFF Convention aims to equip and connect emerging and established leaders in the fight against modern slavery. Listen to excerpts from the CLIFF Convention aired through The HEART Initiative’s work with the Community Action League on KGVM 95.9 below.
Wonderlust Friday Forum. February 8, 2019 from 12-1:30pm. The Bozeman Public Library.
The Wonderlust Friday Forum Human Trafficking in Context discussion panel took place February 5 from 6-8pm at the Emerson. We aim to reach community members, Task Force members, and students to raise awareness about what human trafficking looks like in Gallatin County and contextualize it on a larger scale. Our five-person panel includes perspectives from a survivor, health care professional, service provider, law enforcement, Task Force co-chair, and activist within the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women (MMIW) movement.
Human Trafficking in Context Discussion Panel. February 5, 2019 from 6-8pm. The Emerson Center.
The Human Trafficking in Context discussion panel took place February 5 from 6-8pm at the Emerson. We reached community members, Task Force members, and students to raise awareness about what human trafficking looks like in Gallatin County and contextualize it on a larger scale. Our five-person panel included perspectives from a survivor, health care professional, service provider, law enforcement, Task Force co-chair, and activist within the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women (MMIW) movement.
Documentary Screening. September 19, 2018 @ 6 pm. Procrastinator Theater.
The HEART Initiative, Bashin’ Fashion, and the Gallatin County Anti-Human Trafficking Task Force hosted a documentary screening of The True Cost. This documentary examines the clothing industry and the toll that it has on human lives and the environment. Our daily lives are touched by human trafficking–from the sex and labor trafficking that happens in our community to the labor used to produce our electronic devices, food, clothing, and so much more. You can also watch The True Cost on Netflix.
Women’s Center Sack Lunch Seminar. October 24 @ 12 pm. Strand Union Building (SUB) 124.
This Women’s Center Sack Lunch Seminar panel discussion had an audience of over 30 people. Members of The HEART Initiative discussed human trafficking in supply chains, namely coffee and electronic devices. HAVEN, the local domestic violence shelter, was also there to share information about what trafficking in Gallatin County looks like and their role in addressing the issue as a service provider.
The HEART Initiative 