Ending Human Trafficking Podcast Dr. Sandra Morgan

Dr. Sandie Morgan is joined by Crystal Bennett as the two discuss the importance of building survivor informed organizations and how the Toolkit for Building Survivor Informed Organizations serves organizations who seek to do so.

Crystal Bennett

Crystal Benett is a seasoned professional serving as the Deputy Director of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility, and Special Initiatives at the National Human Trafficking Training and Technical Assistance Center. With a rich background in social justice, advocacy, and community engagement, Crystal is dedicated to fostering inclusive environments and advancing initiatives that combat human trafficking.

Key Points



The Toolkit for Building Survivor Informed Organizations is for organizations who serve individuals who have experienced trafficking, are working to prevent situations where an individual may experience trafficking, or are wanting to include individuals with lived experience in anti-trafficking efforts. 

SAMHSA’s 6 Guiding Principles to a Trauma-Informed Approach are vital in the Toolkit for Building Survivor Informed Organizations. The principles guide organizations in cultivating a physically and psychologically safe environment. 

It’s important to listen to and uplift the voices of those with lived experience in order to guide the work of the anti-human trafficking movement. 

An organization should ensure that all staff members have access to self care and should have a foundation set in which leadership shows a commitment to the organization’s ability to achieve its mission. 

It is essential to ensure the culture of an organization values all staff and members, giving individuals with lived experience control over their stories and whether or not they are shared. 

Equity represents access and opportunity. 



Resources



Toolkit: Building Survivor Informed Organizations

National Human Trafficking Training and Technical Assistance Center

Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration

SAMHSA’s 6 Guiding Principles to a Trauma-Informed Approach

Human Trafficking Leadership Academy

On the “VIBE” Framework



Transcript

Sandra Morgan 0:14

Welcome to the Ending Human Trafficking Podcast, here at Vanguard University's Global Center for Women and Justice in Orange County, California. My name is Dr. Sandie Morgan. This is the show where we empower you to study the issues, be a voice, and make a difference in ending human trafficking. Today, we're going to explore the Toolkit For Building Survivor Informed Organizations. I talk to people all the time, who say, "Well, we have had a conversation with so and so who is a survivor and they tick the box." Well, I'm here to tell you today that our guest is going to show you there are a lot more boxes to tick on this. Our guest today is from the National Human Trafficking Training and Technical Assistance Center. Crystal Benett is a seasoned professional serving as the Deputy Director of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility, and Special Initiatives at the National Human Trafficking Training and Technical Assistance Center. With a rich background in social justice, advocacy, and community engagement, Crystal is dedicated to fostering inclusive environments and advancing initiatives that combat human trafficking. As I've followed her leadership, I have admired how she's driving strategic planning and implementation of programs, and it is a delight to have you on our show today. Crystal, thank you.



Crystal Bennet 2:09

Thank you, Sandie. It's an absolute honor to be here.



Sandra Morgan 2:12

So Crystal, I want to start with who is this toolkit for?



Crystal Bennet 2:18

Yeah, Sandie. I think that there are a lot of organizations that are currently serving individuals wh...

Dr. Sandie Morgan looks back on episode #208: The Intersection of Children's Rights and Combating Human Trafficking, with Rabbi Diana Gerson.

Rabbi Diana Gerson

Rabbi Diana Gerson is the associate executive vice president of the New York Board of Rabbis. She has been a leading advocate with the New York Board of Rabbis role in confronting family violence, sexual abuse, and the exploitation of children by reaching across faith communities. Rabbi Gerson has developed programs for the New York City’s mayor’s office to combat domestic violence and has provided prevention education to thousands of community leaders and clergy, whose roles she considers critical to ending sexual exploitation and all forms of violence against children. In addition, she also serves on the international steering committee for the interfaith forum on child dignity in the digital world. She received her master’s degree and rabbinic ordination in 2001 from the Hebrew Union College Jewish Institute of Religion in New York City. Diana, we’re so glad to welcome you to the show.

Key Points



One of the largest initiatives globally is the Convention on the Rights of the Child, which was written and ratified by the United Nations in 1989. This is the most widely ratified human rights treaty in the history of our global society, yet the only country who has not ratified this document to date is the United States.

We need to be mindful of the images we share of our children, because they are susceptible to becoming child abuse material.

The whole community, not just parents, has to be aware of the risks and the behaviors of people that might take advantage of their position. For every one adult that has training, at least ten children are safer in their communities.



Resources



Episode #208

Darkness to Light

National Center for Missing and Exploited Children

NetSmartz

Cyber Tipline



Transcript

Sandra Morgan 0:14 Welcome to the Ending Human Trafficking podcast here at Vanguard University's Global Center for Women and Justice in Orange County, California. My name is Dr. Sandie Morgan. This is the show where we empower you to study the issues, be a voice, and make a difference in ending human trafficking. This year's Ensure Justice Conference focused on keeping our children safe online. What an important topic. We continued the theme right after the conference when we aired episode #315, with Susan Kennedy, also focused on cyber safety. All this really got me thinking about an older episode we aired, #208: The Intersection of Children's Rights and Combating Human Trafficking, with Rabbi Diana Garrison. I thought this would be a good opportunity to reshare that episode since I think it ties in with what I've been thinking, and I hope you find it as thought provoking as I did. Here's Dave introducing our guest.



Dave [00:01:34] Rabbi Diana Gerson is the associate executive vice president of the New York Board of Rabbis. She has been a leading advocate with the New York Board of Rabbis role in confronting family violence, sexual abuse, and the exploitation of children by reaching across faith communities. Rabbi Gerson has developed programs for the New York City’s mayor’s office to combat domestic violence and has provided prevention education to thousands of community leaders and clergy, whose roles she considers critical to ending sexual exploitation and all forms of violence against children. In addition, she also serves on the international steering committee for the interfaith forum on child dignity in the digital world. She received her master’s degree and rabbinic ordination in 2001 from the Hebrew Union College Jewish Institute of Religion in New York City. Diana, we’re so glad to welcome you to the show.



Diana [00:02:27] Thank you so much for having me.

Dr. Sandie Morgan is joined by the Ending Human Trafficking Podcast intern, Nadia Sosa, as the two discuss Dr. Sandie Morgan's new award.

Dr. Sandie Morgan

Dr. Sandie Morgan is recognized globally for her expertise on combating human trafficking and working to end violence against women. She is the director of the Global Center for Women and Justice at Vanguard University in Southern California.



She is passionate about the role of education in fighting human trafficking. She launched a 12-unit Anti-Human Trafficking Certificate that is totally online.



She believes everyone can do something. But first, they need to study the issue.  Then they can be a voice and make a difference.

Key Points



As an educator, it's important to ask questions and incorporate student voices in important conversation to better equip them to study the issues, be a voice, and make a difference.

A global context, the intersection of different dimensions across society, is essential when addressing issues in education.

When a community is safer for women and girls, the rest of that community is safer and bettered.

It is Dr. Morgan's goal as an educator, that students learn principles of human dignity, to grow communities where exploitation and human trafficking cannot exist.

The theme of women supporting women is important for the next generation of girls, as the nominees, finalists, and awardees of this year's Orange County Inspirational Women awards aim to build a future that will support and inspire the next generation of women.



Resources



2024 Orange County Inspirational Women: Forum & Leadership Awards

Sweat and Toil 

Vanguard University’s Global Center for Women and Justice



Transcript

Nadia Sosa 0:14

Welcome to the Ending Human Trafficking Podcast. This is Episode #318. I'm Nadia Sosa. I'm the podcast intern and I major in English with an emphasis in Creative Writing, and a minor in Journalism.



Sandra Morgan 0:28

My name is Dr. Sandie Morgan and I'm the director of Vanguard University's Global Center for Women and Justice. And it's so exciting to have my intern being the interviewer today so thank you, Nadia.



Nadia Sosa 0:46

Thank you, Dr. Morgan. Today, we're going to be talking about Dr. Morgan's new award, the 2024 Orange County Inspirational Women Forum and Leadership Awards for Education and Government. So to start off, Dr. Morgan, I just wanted to ask you, what has been your reaction to winning this award and how do you think that it's recently affected the way that you interact in the sphere of education?



Sandra Morgan 1:12

First of all, I was delighted that there was a category for Women of Inspiration in Education and Government. I sometimes feel like I'm so behind the scenes and my job, my passion, I feel compelled, is to equip the next generation in combating human trafficking and reducing violence against women. So I was delighted to hear that this was a focus. The day of the lunch I showed up, because I always show up to be a voice and to represent what we do at the Global Center, and to represent the issues that women and girls face. So when they actually called my name, I was stunned. I stopped and then I went into, "Oh, I need to go up there and say something to represent the women and the girls that I work on behalf of."



Nadia Sosa 2:25

That's wonderful to hear that they're always on the forefront of your mind and that's who you're always keeping in mind and taking into consideration even when you've won such a big award. That's wonderful to hear, especially as a student knowing that someone who has educated me really cares about what you're doing. And then just piggybacking off of that, how do you think that being an educator helped you with your work in other sph...

Dr. Sandie Morgan looks back at episode #110, with founding co-host Dave Stachowiak, as the two discuss the importance of making just choices with our purchasing power.

Key Points



It's important to understand that as consumers, we all have a purchasing power that we can use, and it all begins with awareness and consideration of what's good for those who were behind the production of a product.

The Bureau of International Labor Affairs provides a list of goods produced by child labor or forced labor and can be found below.

The Bureau of International Labor Affairs takes a research based approach to creating this list, using information that is available to the public and can be replicated.

Being aware of the good that are produced by child labor or forced labor is a start to individual and collective action. It is an opportunity to become educated in order to change the quality of life for a child, an adult, a human being.



Resources



California Supply Chain Transparency Act

U.S. Department of Labor

Office of Child Labor, Forced labor, and Human trafficking

Bureau of International Labor Affairs

List of Goods Produced by Child or Forced Labor 

Reducing Child Labor and Forced Labor: A Toolkit for Responsible Businesses

Chocolate ScoreCard

Department of Labor Comply Chain 



Transcript

Sandra Morgan 0:14

You are listening to the Ending Human Trafficking Podcast. This is episode number 317. We're here at Vanguard University's Global Center for Women and Justice in Orange County, California. My name is Dr. Sandie Morgan and this is the show where we empower you to study the issues, be a voice, and make a difference in ending human trafficking. Today, we are bringing back my founding co-host, Dave Stachowiak as we revisit a previous episode. You're going to be listening to Episode #110: "Just Choices: Is it Too Complicated?". I was reminded of this episode as I saw all of the chocolate in the stores as we celebrated Easter. This episode opens the door for more reflection on our personal ethics in our fight to make a difference in ending human trafficking. With the passage of time, I've come to value a personal ethic that builds empathy and bleeds into other spheres in our lives where we have influence: your business, your office, your place of worship. Take a listen to this conversation between Dave and me.



Dave 1:50

Sandie today, we are looking at a topic that is one that actually pretty much all of us are dealing with, whether we understand that or not, are aware of that or not. That is some of the choices we make in sourcing supplies and working with forming partnerships with organizations that supply things to our organization, and to businesses, and to nonprofits and thinking through that, or not, as the case may be. We've got a lot of tools and resources to look at today, in order to help us all to be more effective.



Sandra Morgan 2:28

I tell you, Dave, I've had so many conversations of late, where it's part of who I am. We're having a conversation and I hear people say, "Well, that's too complicated." Because I explained, during Ensure Justice preparation, the idea was to order a little cotton tote bag, and someone had found a really good deal, and I said, "Well did you check the supply chain? Because here in California, we have the Supply Chain Transparency Act." The person looked at me and said, "That's kind of complicated, I don't have time to do that." I said, "Well, it's out of my department, I'm going to do it." This is something I really want listeners to pay attention to. If the people in your company, in your organization, in your church, if you're a pastor, you're the CEO, and the buck stops here. If decisions are made, to not follow through on something that looks a little complicated, ultimately,

Dr. Sandie Morgan is joined by Kirsten Foot as the two discuss the role that government agencies play in equipping and influencing others against trafficking.

Kirsten Foot

Kirsten Foot, PhD, is the CEO and Executive Director of Businesses Ending Slavery and Trafficking (BEST) which educates employers to prevent  human trafficking, and provides pathways to safe employment for trafficking survivors. BEST offers employers consulting on anti-trafficking strategy development and implementation, video-based and in-person training services, and advisement on communicating about human trafficking with employees, customers, vendors and the public. Kirsten Foot was also a guest on Episode #111 and Episode #310 of the Ending Human Trafficking podcast. 

Key Points



To prevent human trafficking, the act and crime must be made more costly to traffickers, more expensive financially, and have higher risks and consequences so that they can no longer benefit from it. 

BEST aims to drive trafficking out of businesses and the same strategy can be applied in the public sector to help public sector employers drive traffickers off of public property, agencies, and infrastructures. Government agencies have the power to do all of these things, and in turn, make trafficking harder and hurtful to traffickers rather than easy and beneficial. 

It is important that businesses cross-train their employees and equip them to observe and report labor trafficking. 

It’s important for management of a government agency to be trained as well, in order to support their front-line employees and provide a clear protocol for when a potential case of trafficking is identified. 

Government agencies have the power to influence not only residents of the county they’re based in, but many other types of organizations by encouraging businesses that they work with, providing awareness-raising materials, and encouraging leaders to learn and contribute. 



Resources



EHT #111

EHT #310

NCMEC

Ports of Freedom

Not Alone Campaign

Be the One Campaign

BEST

Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act



Transcript

Sandra Morgan 0:14

You're listening to the Ending Human Trafficking Podcast at Vanguard University's Global Center for Women and Justice. This is episode #316: Government Agencies as Equippers and Influencers Against Trafficking, My name is Sandie Morgan and this is the show where we empower you to study the issues, be a voice, and make a difference in ending human trafficking. Kirsten Foot is back today to discuss how government agencies leverage tools and strategies developed by Businesses Ending Slavery and Trafficking, the organization she leads to counter human trafficking. Kirsten has a Ph. D. She's CEO and Executive Director of BEST, Businesses Ending Slavery and Trafficking, and she leads their initiatives to educate employers to prevent human trafficking, and provide pathways to safe employment for trafficking survivors. BEST offers employer consulting on anti-trafficking strategy development and implementation, video based and in-person training, services, and advisement on communicating about human trafficking with employees, customers, vendors and the public. Kirsten has been a guest on episode #111, and episode #310. Kirsten welcome back.



Kirsten Foot 2:01

Thank you, Sandie, it is always good to talk with you. I learn things in our conversations too, I'm just excited to have this chance.



Sandra Morgan 2:09

So I've been trying to reconsider the approach that I take to educating my community, and from the beginning of the podcast, a lot of my goals were designed around providing resources. But as I kind of lean into this new season, I want to understand better the "why", and my students can look up the "what",

Dr. Sandie Morgan is joined by Susan Kennedy as the two discuss the importance of keeping our children safe online.

Susan Kennedy

Susan Kennedy joined the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children in 2018.  At NCMEC, Susan leads NCMEC’s prevention, outreach, training, and partnership programs. Previously Susan was the Director of Programs at the Center for Alexandria’s Children where she conducted child forensic interviews, coordinated the Child Advocacy Center program, and oversaw a community-based primary prevention program for children aged zero to five and their caregivers. She earned her Bachelors’ degree in Psychology from The College of William & Mary and a Master of Education degree in Human Development and Psychology from Harvard University.  

Key Points



The National Center for Missing and Exploited children is the nation’s largest and most influential child protection program, and creates vital resources for children and those who keep them safe. 

In 2023, NCMEC’s Cyber Tip Line received 36.2 million reports of suspected child exploitation. 

Reports of online enticements have almost doubled from 2022 to 2023, observing an increase of more than 300% from 2021 to 2023. 

An important part of the policy agenda is to equip local, state, and national agencies with equivalent technology that has enabled offenders. 

There has been a shift in sextortion where now, offenders target teenage boys and are financially motivated. 



Resource



NCMEC

48 - International Centre for Missing and Exploited Children

NCMEC CyberTipline

NCMEC Impact Page

NetSmartz



Transcript

Sandra Morgan 0:14



You're listening to the Ending Human Trafficking podcast. This is episode #315: "Keeping Our Children Safe Online" with Susan Kennedy. My name is Sandie Morgan and this is the show where we empower you to study the issues, be a voice, and make a difference in ending human trafficking. Our guest today is Susan Kennedy. She joins us from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, where she leads their Prevention, Outreach, Training and Partnership programs. Previously, Susan was Director of Programs at the Center for Alexandria's Children, where she conducted child forensic interviews, coordinated the child advocacy center program, and oversaw a community based, primary prevention program for children aged zero to five and their caregivers. She's earned her degrees from the College of William and Mary, and from Harvard University, I am so glad to welcome you here, Susan, and there are so many things in your bio that make me want to go back and ask, but we can't do that, we have a job to do today.



Susan Kennedy 1:39



Yes, thank you so much for having me, and I'm excited to talk about all the things we have to talk about today.



Sandra Morgan 1:44



Well, let's talk first about NCMEC, National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, and the strengthened value of being a public-private partnership with the FBI.



Susan Kennedy 1:59



Sure, so NCMEC, for those of you who may not be familiar, the National Center for Missing Exploited Children, is the nation's largest and most influential child protection organization. We really see ourselves as leading the fight to protect children, creating vital resources for them, and for the people who keep them safe. So we're going to talk about a range of issues today. I think most relevant probably for our conversation, is the work that we do around the cyber tip line. So receiving reports of child sexual exploitation online, as well as providing services for victims, for law enforcement, including the FBI, as you mentioned, around child sex trafficking cases as well. So we are a nonprofit, but we have very strong work and partnerships wi...