United in Diversity Against Human Trafficking and Child Exploitation
By Brian M. Jones, FLETC OPA
27.6 million people are victims of human trafficking each day. Over half of those individuals fall prey to human trafficking – either through sex trafficking or forced labor. There is no region of the world or group of people that is spared from this crime, and the efforts to stem this grave tide face increasing difficulties as the perpetrators develop more sophisticated methods. There is no single entity or solution that can curtail these offenses.
The complex and multi-faceted nature of human trafficking necessitates wide-ranging resources and collaboration. According to the 2023 Department of State Trafficking in Persons Report, government approaches require, “incorporating the expertise of anti-trafficking stakeholders from a variety of organizations. Whether by partnering with individuals who were victims of human trafficking or coordinating with the private sector to understand and dismantle trafficking operations...” It’s an all-hands mission demanding worldwide participation.
In 2001, international cooperation took a major step forward. With the support of the State of New Mexico and the City of Roswell, the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs established an International Law Enforcement Academy (ILEA) in Roswell. There are six International Law Enforcement Academies throughout the world with other locations in El Salvador, Ghana, Botswana, Hungary, and Thailand; each academy enhances the United States’ ability to influence positive action in other nations.
The ILEA program is an essential part of the United States’ efforts to counter transnational organized crime and ILEA Roswell facilitates this collaboration by inviting senior-level law enforcement executives to come together from around the world. Multinational law enforcement professionals meet at ILEA Roswell for Executive Policy and Development Symposiums to discuss prevailing issues, learn best practices, shape policy, and create formulated plans on how to confront criminal activity.
In August 2023, delegations from Kenya, Botswana, Nigeria, Liberia, Tanzania, South Africa, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, and Thailand traveled to ILEA Roswell for the Executive Policy and Development Symposium on Transnational Organized Crime focused on Human Trafficking and Child Exploitation. Conducted by the Federal Law Enforcement Training Centers (FLETC), Department of Justice’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), and Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) this session’s goal was to facilitate discussion resulting in the Delegates’ ability to develop a comprehensive response addressing the problems of human trafficking and child exploitation.
The assortment of interagency experience provided comprehensive training on multiple issues concerning human trafficking including techniques, tools, and strategies that need to be employed to successfully investigate and prosecute human trafficking and child exploitation cases. Participants conducted research and gave both oral and written presentations that in turn stimulated ideas, facilitated discussion on key human trafficking issues, and contributed to participants gaining a better understanding on the scope of trafficking and exploitation. Relationships between nations grew as this group met the enormity of the task laid before them, and the Delegates of this session declared they were, "United in diversity against human trafficking and child exploitation."
Executive Policy and Development Symposium on Transnational Organized Crime focused on Human Trafficking and Child Exploitation August 2023 (photo: ILEA Roswell)
###
Federal Law Enforcement Training Centers
Office of Public Affairs
Contact: 912-267-2447
Latest News Alerts
- FLETC Remembers Former Director Charles RinkevichFLETC Remembers Former Director Charles Rinkevich bspragins FLETC and Partner Organization Colleagues, Read more about FLETC Remembers Former Director Charles Rinkevich
- Advanced Forensic Techniques in Crime Scene Investigation I (AFTCSI-I) Course Enhances Crime Scene Skills for Law EnforcementAdvanced Forensic Techniques in Crime Scene Investigation I (AFTCSI-I) Course Enhances Crime Scene Skills for Law Enforcement bspragins GLYNCO, Ga. -- The Federal Law Enforcement Training Centers (FLETC) in Glynco, Georgia, is currently hosting an Advanced Forensic Techniques in Crime Scene Investigation I (AFTCSI- Read more about Advanced Forensic Techniques in Crime Scene Investigation I (AFTCSI-I) Course Enhances Crime Scene Skills for Law Enforcement
- FLETC Adds to DHS Leadership Academy AlumniFLETC Adds to DHS Leadership Academy Alumni brittany.kouandjio FLETC Office of Public Affairs Read more about FLETC Adds to DHS Leadership Academy Alumni
- FLETC-Artesia hosts Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony for New Outdoor GymnasiumFLETC-Artesia hosts Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony for New Outdoor Gymnasium bspragins ARTESIA, NM – On January 10, 2025, the Federal Law Enforcement Training Centers (FLETC) hosted a ribbon-cutting ceremony to open its new outdoor gymnasium at the Artesia Training D Read more about FLETC-Artesia hosts Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony for New Outdoor Gymnasium
- Professional Spotlight: Elise BurtrumProfessional Spotlight: Elise Burtrum bspragins ARTESIA, N.M. Read more about Professional Spotlight: Elise Burtrum
- FLETC Cheltenham Extends Holiday Support to C.O.P.S. FamiliesFLETC Cheltenham Extends Holiday Support to C.O.P.S. Families bspragins CHELTENHAM, Md. - In a heartwarming gesture of compassion and community, the Federal Law Enforcement Training Centers (FLETC) Cheltenham Training Delivery Point sponsored an Angel Tree program this holiday season, supporting 42 children from the DC, Maryland, and Virginia chapters of Concerns of Police Survivors (C.O.P.S.) Cheltenham, Md., Dec. 13, 2024. Read more about FLETC Cheltenham Extends Holiday Support to C.O.P.S. Families