(GLASSBORO, NJ) – Volunteers of America Delaware Valley (VOADV) hosted the 4th Annual Human Trafficking Summit: Building a Collaborative Response for Large-Scale Events on March 19, 2024 in the Rowan University (Glassboro) Business Hall. The event featured a keynote address from Senator John J. Burzichelli and a panel discussion with subject matter experts from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC), the New Jersey State Police, Volunteers of America Delaware Valley, and the New York City Police Department. Conversations were focused around ensuring that our state is as prepared as possible to manage the risks and realities of human trafficking at large-scale events and the coordinated, multi-agency approach that is necessary.
“Preparing for large-scale events like the 2026 World Cup requires a strategic approach to addressing human trafficking before, during, and after the event,” said Amanda Leese, VOADV Senior Vice President of Program Operations. “We aim to ensure that all stakeholders collaborate effectively and take steps to protect and support survivors, victims, and at-risk populations.”
The Summit opened with a keynote address and featured a panel discussion introduced by Congresswoman Nellie Pou, 9th District of New Jersey. Panelists were:
- Lieutenant Anthony Carugno, Human Trafficking Unit, New Jersey State Police
- Maurice T. Edwards, Child Sex Trafficking Team Supervisor, NCMEC
- Kaitlyn Friess, Regional IMPACT Director, Volunteers of America Delaware Valley
- Assemblywoman Andrea Katz, Legislative District 8
- Detective Liam O’Hara, Human Trafficking Squad, New York City Police Department
The event also included a presentation by Maurice T. Edwards titled “NCMEC Recommendations for Missing Children at Large Events & How to Leverage NCMEC, Technology, and Mapping for Intelligence Driven Child Sex Trafficking Operations”.
Attendees were encouraged to ask questions and provide input as to what survivors, victims, and at-risk populations need to best serve them as the World Cup approaches and stakeholders develop a coordinated strategy. A key point of the summit was also to encourage stakeholders, law enforcement, service providers, and legislators to discuss how best to use existing resources to serve survivors now.
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About Volunteers of America Delaware Valley (VOADV)
Volunteers of America Delaware Valley (VOADV) is a local affiliate of the national, non-profit organization, Volunteers of America, and provides essential services to our community’s most vulnerable individuals. Each year, VOADV serves more than 13,000 individuals throughout the southern New Jersey and Philadelphia region and operates more than 40 high quality, outcome-driven assistance programs – from homelessness, reentry, veterans assistance and affordable housing services to specialized programs for victims of human trafficking and individuals with addiction, traumatic brain injury and intellectual disabilities. To learn more, visit: www.voadv.org.
