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FBI's 'Citizen of the Year' Mark Elam to present at Stillwater Public Library
Part of the Stillwater Global Affairs Forum
(STILLWATER, OKLA. / April 25, 2011) –The FBI’s Citizen of the Year, Mark Elam, will be at the Stillwater Public Library for two days to discuss the human trafficking trade. The appearances, which were postponed in February due to a snow storm, have been rescheduled for May 3 and May 4.
Elam started an international organization that supports safe houses across the globe, worked tirelessly on behalf of Oklahoma victims, and was awarded the 2010 FBI Citizen of the Year award for his work in stopping human trafficking.
“Human trafficking has been understood as a distant international problem that only affects the poorest countries of our world,” said Elam. “In reality, human trafficking also includes U.S. citizens and it is also happening right here in Oklahoma. Oklahoma kids have been found all over the country in forced prostitution and sex trafficking.”
The Oklahoma Regional Community Policing Institute, Oklahomans Against Human Trafficking, and the Saville Center are partners in bringing Elam to Stillwater Public Library for the Stillwater Global Affairs Forum and two human trafficking awareness training sessions.
Tuesday, May 3, at 7 p.m., Elam will make a presentation on worldwide human trafficking issues at the Stillwater Global Affairs Forum. The presentation will last approximately one hour with audience discussion to follow. This free presentation is recommended for older students, and anyone interested in global issues, foreign affairs, contemporary politics, or human rights issues.
Wednesday, May 4, Elam will present two training sessions on understanding the crimes of human trafficking and identifying and helping its potential victims.
“Human trafficking actually encompasses labor trafficking, sex trafficking, minors in prostitution and child pornography,” said Elam. The United States is the number one destination of child sex trafficking in the world, so it is imperative that communities are aware of what human trafficking is and who it affects.”
The sessions are identical with a morning class 8 a.m. to noon and an afternoon class from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. The free training sessions are approved for four hours of CLEET credit, including one mental health hour and CEs are available for LPCs and LMPCs. It is recommended for law enforcement, educators, community leaders, service providers, church leaders, and other interested persons. Registration is required. Participants can enroll by calling the library at 405-372-3633 x124 or emailing sdelano@stillwater.org.
For more information, visit the Stillwater Public Library web site at library.stillwater.org. Visit the library on Facebook and Twitter. Library programs are co-sponsored by the Friends of the Library and KOSU. The Stillwater Public Library is located at 1107 S. Duck St.
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Contact: Sherry Fletcher, Director of Marketing and Public Relations
Phone: 405.742.8362
E-mail: sfletcher@stillwater.org
Web: stillwater.org