Northern Michigan University will host a public presentation on human trafficking as part of a week-long awareness initiative in the Upper Peninsula. The recently re-established U.P. Human Trafficking Task Force (UPHTTF) has teamed with the Department of Justice, U.S. Homeland Security Investigations, several U.P. law enforcement agencies and local experts to deliver presentations across the region. The NMU event will be held from 1-3 p.m. Friday, Jan. 26, in the University Center Marquette/Nicolet Rooms. It is sponsored by the School of Nursing and President’s Office.

Featured speakers include Leslie A. Hagen from the Department of Justice and Stacey Rasanen, a Michigan State Police Community Services Trooper based at the Negaunee Post. They will address those most likely to be a target of human trafficking, signs to look for in both victims and traffickers, previous cases that have been discovered and relevant state and federal laws. There will be time for a Q&A after each presentation and a brief invite to participants to join the UPHTTF.

Hagen serves as the DOJ’s first National Indian Country Training Coordinator. She authored a recent national publication on combatting trafficking in tribal communities and in 2016 created a video training project focused on sex trafficking of Alaska Natives. Hagen previously served as both a federal and state prosecutor. She has 29 years of criminal justice experience and focuses on issues related to domestic violence, child abuse and sexual assault.

The Michigan State Police Community Service Troopers are assigned to regions across the state to focus on community outreach to help strengthen communities. They serve citizens in a range of ways, including mentoring youth, working with seniors and educating citizens on emerging crime trends. Rasanen works at the Negaunee Post.

Social work and Registered Nursing CE’s are available for an additional fee.  Light refreshments will be served. For more detailed event information, contact Marlene Mottes, UPHTTF task force group leader/administrator at marlene.f.mottes@usdoj.gov.