Wichita State University's Center for Combating Human Trafficking (CCHT) will host the second annual human trafficking awareness conference in recognition of human trafficking awareness month. The conference, "Engage, Act, Abolish: Moving toward an effective anti-trafficking response," begins at 8 a.m. Friday, Jan. 29, at the Hughes Metropolitan Complex, 5015 E. 29th St. N.

The conference will include presentations from Russ Tuttle, director of Stop Trafficking Project; Kristy Childs, founder of Veronica’s Voice; Jason Hart, U.S. attorney; Cathy Cooper, director of Hope Ranch; and many others. The keynote speakers are Lisa Thompson, vice president of education and outreach at the National Center on Sexual Exploitation and Earnest Alexander, president of Youth Horizons.

The CCHT is hosting three other events during human trafficking awareness month, beginning with “Engage, Act, Abolish: Addressing adaptive issues to combat human trafficking,” an invitation-only seminar at 11 a.m. Monday, Jan. 25, at the Kansas Leadership Center, 325 E. Douglas Ave.

A free, public screening and discussion of the documentary “A Path Appears” will be held at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 26, at WSU Old Town, 238 N. Mead.

The third event, “Engage, Act, Abolish: Doing no harm in the anti-trafficking movement,” takes place at 6 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 28, at Eastside Community Church, 14242 E. 21st St. N.

The events are organized to address demand reduction, prevention, identification/intervention and aftercare/prosperity promoting services.

“This conference is designed to engage multidisciplinary professionals, civic and faith leaders and interested community members in anti-trafficking efforts,” said Karen Countryman-Roswurm, executive director of the CCHT. “We believe that the sharing of expertise between anti-trafficking partners and allies enhances one’s ability to more intentionally and effectively serve those at-risk of or subjugated to human trafficking.”

For more information and to register, go to http://bit.ly/1UzLJoK.