On Jan. 31, in observance of Human Trafficking Awareness Month, the Virgin Islands Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Council (DVSAC) will host a free workshop addressing the impact of human trafficking in the Virgin Islands. The event will be held at Gertrude’s Restaurant from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Refreshments will be provided.
Jacqueline Heyliger, the executive director of the Virgin Islands Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Council said that “DVSAC wants to bring awareness to this form of modern-day slavery to the forefront of our community.”
Heyliger emphasizes that the workshop will highlight the types of human trafficking, human trafficking convictions by the Department of Justice, and identifying the signs of human trafficking. She says that “by making our community aware, we can help reduce the number of cases in the territory of this inhumane and immoral practice against other human beings.”
The event will stream live on DVSAC’s Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/vidvsac .
Presenters:
Bernhardt Simmonds – Acting Resident Agent in Charge, Homeland Security Investigations, Department of Homeland Security
Eugene Thomas – Assistant Special Agent in Charge, Homeland Security Investigations, Department of Homeland Security
Rhonda Williams-Henry Esq. – Acting Criminal Chief, U. S. Attorney Office
Stephanie Gabriel – Task Force Officer, Virgin Islands Police Department
DVSAC’s mission is to coordinate education, prevention and response efforts in order to reduce the incidence of domestic violence, sexual assault, stalking and dating violence and to make these crimes socially and culturally unacceptable in the USVI. DVSAC is available to provide training and prevention activities throughout the territory.
For more information, contact DVSAC at 719-0144 or email info@vidvsac.net.
