Written by Judge Kim Dowling

Last week, I shared with you the tools we have developed to help  professionals in our community recognize  trafficked youth so that we can help those victims.  Let me conclude this series by telling you about some of the work we have yet to do.

First, training is a never-ending part.  I continue to travel the state to train people working in the juvenile justice system, medical providers and law enforcement.  I will travel this week to train law enforcement officers in another county.  I am also working with Meridian Health Services to schedule a training with a partner hospital in Indianapolis.

People who work in the hotel and hospitality industry must be trained.  This has been a challenge.  I recently met the new CEO of the Indiana State Chamber of Commerce to discuss with her the need to prepare a plan to provide this training statewide.  I will also provide a regional training for this industry in coming days. 

We must also continue improving laws.  Our committee met late last year with specialists from Shared Hope International to discuss weaknesses in Indiana laws and legislation needed to improve our laws.  We will be developing a plan for upcoming legislation based on their advice.  Our work on legislation this session focuses on trauma-informed training for nurses statewide and in updating the children in need of services (CHINS) statute.  I have worked with Senator Mike Crider, Senator Stacey Donato and Representative Lori Goss-Reaves to prepare and advance these bills.  We also continue working with the Indiana Commission to Improve the Status of Children on legislation.

Finally, we must–and we will–continue to train law enforcement personnel and prosecutors all over Indiana to effectively identify, investigate, and prosecute the scourge of trafficking.  They face difficult challenges when trafficking victims will not self-identify or name their perpetrators.  The challenge is even greater for the many victims trafficked by their families.  There are effective methods for law enforcement to use in successfully investigating and prosecuting these crimes.  Working together is necessary. 

If you belong to a club or group interested in learning more about human trafficking and would like a speaker, please reach out to me at judgekimdowling24@gmail.com and we can discuss scheduling training, both inside and outside of Delaware County.