St. Thomas Law Hosts Annual John J. Brunetti Human Trafficking Academy

This summer, The John J. Brunetti Human Trafficking Academy hosted its week-long professional development training from July 23^rd to July 27^th, 2018. The primary focus was addressing the issue of human trafficking within the United States.

The Academy, directed by St. Thomas Law professor Dr. Roza Pati, welcomed 54 participants from around the country. These participants represented various professional groups including social service providers, child protective investigators, psychologists,  government representatives, attorneys, law enforcement, teachers, academics, human rights advocates, entrepreneurs, students, and faith-based organizations. The Academy was especially pleased to welcome several recipients of the 2018 Survivor Scholarship, generously funded by the Thomas E. Lemons Foundation.

Rev. Msgr. Franklyn Casale, former President of St. Thomas University,  paid tribute to Mr. John J. Brunetti for his support to St. Thomas University over the years and his most recent contribution to the Human Trafficking Academy, which now bears his name.

In her opening remarks, St. Thomas Law’s Acting Dean Tamara Lawson, noted that the Academy is one of the most important events held at St. Thomas Law. "Iinjustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere and I believe that is why you all are here today, to address injustice…especially for those who cannot speak up for themselves,” she stated.

The Academy consisted of 15 training courses taught by top-experts in the field, drawing from their own professional and personal experiences. The week of concentrated courses covered a range of topics arranged thematically by day.

Day 1 covered sex trafficking with courses on child sex trafficking, a profile of sex traffickers, and a profile of the buyers of sex;

Day 2 turned greater focus to the survivors of trafficking, with sessions about populations facing a higher risk of exposure to trafficking, a powerful course from a trafficking survivor’s perspective on the debate between the language of ‘Victim’ or ‘Survivor’, as well as a trauma-informed screening and interviewing course;

Day 3 was focused entirely on labor trafficking, with courses about domestic servitude, trafficking in the agricultural sector, and trafficking in the hospitality industry;

Day 4 shed light on the different contributors to the fight against trafficking and the importance of forming partnerships, including courses on the Florida Safe Harbor Act, government & NGO partnerships, and the response of Miami’s G.R.A.C.E. Court to child trafficking cases;

Finally, Day 5 focused on the causes and effects of vicarious trauma, featuring a course about coping with trauma exposure, a second session about understanding the ethical implications of dealing with vicarious trauma and burnout, and closing with course about building self-care and happiness. Father Paul VI Karenga, current J.S.D. candidate of the Intercultural Human Rights Program concluded the Academy with a closing prayer.

The esteemed course instructors hailed from across the world and various disciplines:

Nathan Earl

Founder and Executive Director of Ark of Freedom Alliance

Dr. Mohamed Mattar

Clinical Professor of Law and Director the Law Clinic at Qatar University College of Law

Bill Wolf

Retired Detective, Fairfax County Police Department, Executive Director & Trainer, Just Ask Prevention Project

Tessa Juste

Graduate Fellow, Human Trafficking Academy

Marina Rakopyan

Human Trafficking Academy Research Assistant and J.S.D. candidate, St. Thomas University School of Law

Savannah Parvu

Survivor Leader and Speaker

Brenda Mezick, Esq.

Chief, Human Trafficking Unit, Miami-Dade State Attorney’s Office

Victor Williams

Retired Special Agent, Department of Homeland Security

Barbara Martinez, Esq.

Chief, Special Prosecutions Section, Human Trafficking and Project Safe Childhood Coordinator, U.S. Attorney’s Office

Todd Forester

President, i-5 Freedom Network

Brianna O’Steen

Ph.D. Student & Instructor, Oregon State University

Ana Vallejo, Esq.

Co-Director VIDA Legal Assistance, Inc.

The Honorable Maria Sampedro-Iglesia

Associate Administrative Judge, Unified Children’s Court & Human Trafficking Division, G.R.A.C.E. Court

Milagros Santiago-Maldonado

Clinical Director, Trauma Resolution Center

Dr. Ana Christina Nuñez

Researcher, Americas Division, Human Rights Watch

Dr. Jodi Grace, Associate Professor of Psychology, St. Thomas University

The Academy also had the privilege of welcoming a special luncheon guest speaker, Maria Kaldani, who serves as the Scientific Supervisor at The HOME Project in Athens, Greece. Ms. Kaldani shared with participants the powerful work that her organization is doing to meet the needs of child refugees who have migrated to Greece. The HOME Project provides long-term housing, immigration assistance, psychological support, educational skills, and whatever else the children may need to adjust to the circumstances with which they are faced. In her presentation, Ms. Kaldani outlined the overlap between issues of trafficking and the migrant crisis in Europe, and shared how it has affected some of the children who have come to be cared for by The Home Project.

This intensive week of training was organized to empower anti-trafficking professionals and advocates with the tools and knowledge to work as effectively and compassionately as possible against the scourge of human trafficking. 


The feedback of participants indicates that the 2018 Human Trafficking Academy succeeded in this aim.

“An incredible week full of education, inspiration, fantastic speakers and building a network of connections across the community. I’m so thankful I was able to attend.”

-  Lucas Samuel Hall, Ark of Freedom Alliance

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“As a survivor, I’m sure one can imagine that this course is a lot for me all at once. I would like to thank the Academy for providing a trauma-informed education. I felt that his atmosphere and approach were sensitive and understanding. What a great variety of instructors and attendees! Even as someone who has experienced some of these crimes firsthand, I learned new things and was exposed to new ideas and information. Thank you!”

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“I believe this academy opened my eyes to this level of crime that damages victims more often than not. It has changed my thinking and encouraged me to get involved in the solutions.”

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“Outstanding program. Thank you for all of the content and community engagement.”