Human Trafficking Advisory Board

The Human Trafficking Advisory Board was established in January 2010 to explore the issues of human trafficking in the state of Kansas. In 2013, the Kansas Legislature recognized the Board as the state's official Human Trafficking Advisory Board. This team of advisers is composed of law enforcement personnel, prosecutors, court personnel, advocates, victims of human trafficking and other pertinent parties who have expertise in this field.

The Kansas Human Trafficking Advisory Board explores the issues of human trafficking in the state of Kansas. This team of advisors is composed of law enforcement personnel, prosecutors, court personnel, advocates, victims of human trafficking and other pertinent parties who have expertise in this field.

Human trafficking is the criminal activity of holding another person for the purposes of exploitation through forced labor and sex trafficking. Many experts view human trafficking as the second greatest criminal enterprise in the world, second only to the illegal sale of drugs. Even here in Kansas, men, women, and children are forced to work for long hours under deplorable conditions for little or no pay without the freedom to leave.

By utilizing a four pronged approach of Prevention, Protection, Prosecution and Partnership, the Kansas Human Trafficking Advisory Board is exploring:

• Development of a public awareness campaign focusing on the hidden issue of human trafficking;
• Identification of victims of trafficking;
• Provision of comprehensive and culturally competent services to victims of human trafficking;
• Appropriately addressing the needs of domestic victims of human trafficking;
• Securing adequate resources and support needed to develop a task force to effectively investigate cases of human trafficking;
• Development of a statewide structure for collaborative efforts across disciplines and jurisdictions to ensure prosecution of human traffickers.

Upcoming Meetings

None at this time.

Human Trafficking Advisory Board Members

Julie Hart, Chair
Kansas Attorney General's Office, Topeka

Sheriff Tim Ackerman
Kansas Sheriffs' Association, Marysville

Tiffanie Askew
Kansas Attorney General's Office, Topeka

Kent Bauman
Kansas Department for Children and Families, Topeka

Bradley Barrett
Shawnee County District Attorney's Office, Topeka

Representative Carrie Barth
Kansas House of Representatives, Baldwin City

Senator Molly Baumgardner
Kansas Senate, Louisburg

John Calvert
DIrector, Safe and Secure Schools Unit, Kansas Department of Education

Kristen Czugala
Kansas Attorney General's Office, Topeka

Sarah Evans-Simpson
Stormont Vail Health, Topeka

Thomas Fatkin
Wichita Police Department, Exploited & Missing Children's Unit, Wichita

Amy Hite
Irene Ransom Bradley School of Nursing, Pittsburg State University, Pittsburg

(JJ) James Johnson
Kansas Department of Corrections, Topeka

Debbie Kennedy
Wichita Children's Home, Wichita

Ed Klumpp
Tecumseh

Deb Kluttz
Homestead, Manhattan

Alice Knetsch Osburn
Sedgwick County District Attorney's Office, Wichita

Heidi Lynch
Kansas Bureau of Investigation, Topeka

Adam Piland
Kansas Bureau of Investigation, Topeka

Chief Rebekah Rickstrew
Caldwell Police Department, Caldwell

Judi Rodman
Sunflower House Child Advocacy Center, Shawnee

Sandra Shopteese
Kansas Department for Children and Families, Topeka

Secretary Amber Shultz
Kansas Department of Labor, Topeka

Sharon Sullivan
Washburn University, Topeka

Jennifer White
ICT SOS, Wichita

Derrick Wilczek
Overland Park Police Department, Overland Park

Brendan J. Wolvington
Brown County Sheriff's Office, Hiawatha

Captain Dax Lewis
Kansas Highway Patrol, Topeka

Lainey Faulkner
Kansas Department of Health and Environment, Topeka

Minutes