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Human Trafficking

Anti-Human Trafficking Webinars for School Staff 2024-2025

The Department of Children and Families, in partnership with DPI, will again provide free learning opportunities in the 2024-2025 school year. Click here to view the training registration flyer.

It Happens Here Documentary Screening and Discussion

The Department of Children and Families (DCF) has created a documentary that tells the true stories of sex trafficking in Wisconsin and conveys how easy it is to be drawn into the life. This project is part of a statewide effort to inform youth and adults about the risk factors and warning signs of trafficking and what they can do to assist individuals who may be at risk of, or affected by, trafficking.

Intended Audience: School Staff, community partners, and parents/caregivers are welcome to join us for a free screening and discussion of the documentary!

Facilitators: Asia Jackson, DCF Anti-Human Trafficking Coordinator, Julie Incitti, DPI School Social Work Consultant, and Jessica Goodman Schutz, MPS School Social Worker 

September 19, 2024 at 9 - 10 a.m.

Training Registration

December 10, 2024 at 9 - 10 a.m.

Training Registration

Questions? Contact Julie Incitti, julie.incitti@dpi.wi.gov

‘It Happens Here’ Facilitation Guide & Lessons Training for School Staff and Other Professionals Supporting Anti-Trafficking

This session will provide school staff, such as pupil service staff, and professionals working in trafficking prevention and response, training on using the DPI Anti-Human Trafficking Video Facilitation Guide and accompanying videos with students. While not restricted to pupil service staff, staff should have some training and experience handling difficult topics, handling student disclosures, and the ability to assess risk and safety concerns. Participants will gain access to the video series, as well as the facilitator guide and related resources. Participants will be able to lead lessons for students grades 7-12 to help them understand what human trafficking is, some of the dynamics involved, and to recognize warning signs and unsafe situations, how to get help, and where to find additional resources. School staff and professionals in the community are encouraged to attend training together to collaborate on lesson delivery for students.

September 24, 2024 at 9 - 11:30 a.m.

Training Registration

January 21, 2025 at 9 - 11:30 a.m.

Training Registration

Questions? Contact Julie Incitti, julie.incitti@dpi.wi.gov

Overview

It is important for all school staff to increase their knowledge about human trafficking, to learn to spot the signs of trafficking, and to take action in supporting students.

Human trafficking is the misuse of other people. This often happens for the purpose of sexual exploitation or forced labor. Human trafficking occurs throughout Wisconsin, including rural, urban, and suburban areas.

Human traffickers often recruit vulnerable youth with force or deception. They may exploit youth through fraud, abuse of power, control, violence, or physical abduction. They may also threaten the youth or their family. Economic pressure can make a person more vulnerable to being trafficked.Trafficking can happen to anyone of all sexes, genders, races, and economic backgrounds; though some individuals are in a higher risk group. Many youth who are being trafficked do not see themselves as victims. They may not realize they are being trafficked.

Wisconsin school staff can help prevent and respond to trafficking by learning more about the topic, in addition to implementing such best practices as trauma sensitive schools, social and emotional learning, culturally responsive practices, resilience building, fostering relationships, and encouraging a welcoming inclusive environment for all students. The following are a few resources to help you get started.

Keep in mind that suspicions of child sex trafficking must be reported to CPS or law enforcement by mandated reporters, including all school staff. For additional information on reporting sex trafficking and using the Exploitation Indictor and Response Guide, please review the DPI Mandatory Reporting of Child Abuse and Neglect Online Learning Modules found here

Building Understanding of Adults

Video and Online Learning Modules:

Fact Sheets, Guides, Written Resources:

Educating Youth
  • DPI/DCF Youth Lessons (Grades 7-12)- Building Knowledge and Skills to Raise Awareness and Respond to Human Sex Trafficking

    • Guide for Facilitation of Youth Lessons - DPI and DCF have collaborated to create a guide for facilitating lessons to youth geared towards grades 7-12. The lessons included in this unit provide an adult facilitator information and lesson plans to accompany a short documentary video series and instruct students in the topic of human trafficking with a focus on sex trafficking. Included are short videos with individuals in Wisconsin who have shared their true stories for the purpose of education and prevention. This guide provides information to help you successfully deliver this unit of instruction. 

    • Free Training - To access the guide and facilitator materials, school staff and community partners participate in a free training offered through the Wisconsin Safe and Healthy Schools (WISH) Center. The training is geared towards pupil service staff, community providers of sexual assault prevention and response, and other school staff who have some training and experience handling difficult topics, handling student disclosures, and the ability to assess risk and safety concerns. School staff and professionals in the community are encouraged to attend training together to collaborate on lesson delivery for students. Participants will be able to lead lessons for students grades 7-12 to help them understand what human trafficking is, some of the dynamics involved, and to recognize warning signs and unsafe situations, how to get help, and where to find additional resources. View the training dates and registration for 21-22. If you are unable to attend a training, yet would like access to the lessons, please contact julie.incitti@dpi.wi.gov.

  • Some, but not all, available curriculum options (resources are not endorsed by DPI and are provided as examples for consideration):
  • National Human Trafficking Resource Center including student toolkit
Support Youth
Mandated Reporting of Sex Trafficking
The Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction (DPI) does not endorse any specific companies or materials, and the included resources are by no means the only materials available. This list is provided to encourage schools to consider their resources and efforts in the following areas as a way to approach reducing and responding to sexual violence in schools.