January is Human Trafficking Awareness Month, and Wichita State University’s Center for Combating Human Trafficking (CCHT) has organized a series of educational events to provide area communities with information and resources to combat human trafficking.

The center’s theme for the month is “One is One Too Many,” because even one exploited or abused person is too many. The purpose of Human Trafficking Awareness Month is to raise awareness that human trafficking, which includes sexual exploitation, forced labor, slavery or servitude, is a crime that can and does take place in our community.

Five events are being sponsored by the CCHT in January to educate and mobilize multi-disciplinary professionals and community members to respond to human trafficking in an informed and intentional way.

The center’s showcase event will be the Anti-Trafficking Conference, “Lessons from the Trenches: Combating Human Trafficking Together,” from 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Friday, Jan. 30, at the WSU Metropolitan Complex, 5015 E. 29th St. The conference, which CCHT plans to hold annually, will move the discussion beyond Anti-Trafficking 101 to enhance professionals’ ability to serve those at risk. Presenters will include keynote speaker Ron Matson, dean of Wichita State’s Fairmount College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, Gov. Sam Brownback, Attorney General Derek Schmidt and Kansas U.S. Attorney Barry Grissom. The conference is open to the public. Registration is $100 before Jan. 16.

Other CCHT events in January include:

• “Human Trafficking, Refugees, and Immigration: A Local and Global Perspective,” which will focus on the connection between immigration, refugees and human trafficking, and includes a documentary screening. It will take place at 6 p.m. Monday, Jan. 5, in Wichita State’s Lindquist Hall, Room 100.
• “Wichita Outreach Community Training” will feature CCHT Executive Director Karen Countryman-Rosswurm and anti-trafficking training for faith leaders. It will take place from 9-11 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 10, at Eastside Community Church, in Wichita, and is free and open to the public. Registration is required.
• “Allies and Ambassadors of Faith: Combatting Human Trafficking in the Trenches,” in partnership with Hope Ranch for Women, will feature Jim Lyon, general director of the Church of God Ministries. His presentation will explore the role of the church in combatting human trafficking. Heavy hors d’oeuvres will be served at 6 p.m., and the program will begin at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 29, at Eastside Community Church, 14242 E. 21st St N. The event is free, but advanced registration is required.
• “Because One Abused and Exploited is One Too Many: Human Trafficking Awareness” is a program designed to help participants become aware and engaged in the anti-trafficking movement. Featured speakers include the CCHT’s Countryman-Roswurm and Bailey Patton Brackin, volunteer and community outreach coordinator, at 2 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 31, at First Christian Church, 102 E. First St., in Newton.

The full schedule of events can be found at the Center for Combatting Human Trafficking’s events website: combatinghumantrafficking.org/Events/Events.aspx.