The Virginia Department of Criminal Justice Services (DCJS) is pleased to announce that registration is now open for the Human Trafficking Investigation & Prosecution course. This two-day course is being offered through a partnership with the Virginia Department of Criminal Justice Services, the Virginia Commonwealth’s Attorneys’ Services Council (CASC), and Virginia State Police (VSP). In partnership with the Human Trafficking Institute (HTI). This is an in-person event.

As a result of this training, participants will be better able to:

• Establish a working knowledge of the crime of human trafficking.
• Identify the concepts of trauma bonding and coercion in human trafficking cases.
• Learn common indicators of human trafficking.
• Understand why victims of trafficking are often not identified.
• Understand the importance of a trauma-informed, victim centered approach.
• Understand the Virginia and federal laws related to human trafficking.
• Recognize why an understanding of the statutes is essential in developing a charging strategy.
• Understand how to use the charging strategy to improve the success of a prosecution.
• Recognize the need for collaboration as an ethical consideration.
• Understand the importance of investigating beyond a victim’s statement.
• Understand the respective roles of law enforcement, prosecutors, and service providers in a human trafficking investigation.
• Introduce evidentiary strategies for human trafficking investigations and prosecutions.
• Understand how a task force can improve collaboration.
• Learn effective techniques for direct and cross examination.

Presenters: Lindsey Lane, Senior Legal Counsel for the Human Trafficking Institute and Brittany Ferrigno, Legal and Development Research Manager for the Human Trafficking Institute.

Who Should Attend?

This course is open to sworn law enforcement investigators and prosecutors.

It is strongly encouraged for localities to send a minimum of 1 investigator and 1 prosecutor to attend this course as a team.

Registration and Cost: This training is free. Participants must register in advance for the training. This course is limited to 50 participants per session. Participants must be present for the entire course.

Time: The training runs from 9:00am-5:00pm each day with a break for lunch. The room will be open at 8:30am daily.

Travel, Lodging, and Meals

Participants are responsible for their own transportation and dinner. Lodging at Great Wolf Lodge will be included. Registration details for lodging will be communicated to confirmed registrants. Breakfast and lunch will also be included.

Credits:

Partial In-Service Credits (PIC) and CLE’s will be provided.

If you have questions or would like to be placed on the waitlist for a session date that is full, please email Blane Sawyer (blane.sawyer@dcjs.virginia.gov).