St. Thomas Law's Human Trafficking Academy Hosts 7th Annual SAO Human Trafficking Forum

Dr. Roza Pati, Director of the Human Trafficking Academy, President Msgr. Franklyn Casale,

State Attorney Katherine Fernandez-Rundle and Dean Alfredo Garcia

 St. Thomas Law’s Human Trafficking Academy,  in partnership with the Miami-Dade State Attorney’s Office, recently hosted the 7th Annual SAO Human Trafficking Forum. 

This year’s theme was “Broadening the Scope: Sexual Orientation, Gender Roles, and Developing the Appropriate Response.” Speakers included Meredith Dank, Ph.D., Research Professor at John Jay College of Criminal Justice in New York City and Aspen Hawke, Program Manager for Chrysalis Health in Fort Lauderdale. 

In her opening remarks, State Attorney Katherine Fernandez-Rundle highlighted the extraordinary work of the prosecuting team of SAO and also praised St. Thomas University and its Human Trafficking Academy for being the leading educational institution in South Florida to address the scourge of human trafficking. 

State Attorney Katherine Fernandez-Rundle addressing forum attendees

“You really have been the leaders in this way before the rest of us,” she expressed to President Msgr. Franklyn Casale, Dean Alfredo Garcia and Dr. Roza Pati.

President Msgr. Casale, who has been on the forefront of the issue, shared his enthusiasm on the recent partnership between St. Thomas Law’s Human Trafficking Academy and the State Attorney’s Office, and reiterated that “collaboration is the name of the game” in the fight against human trafficking.

The Miami-Dade State Attorney’s Annual Human Trafficking Forum gathers stakeholders and community partners to address human trafficking in Miami-Dade County and South Florida. St. Thomas Law’s Human Trafficking Academy is committed to continue working and collaborating with local leaders to develop cohesive and coherent anti-trafficking strategies.