UNE Online Graduate Programs in Public Health partner with local groups to raise awareness about human trafficking
January is Human Trafficking Awareness Month, and to help raise awareness, UNE Online’s Graduate Programs in Public Health partnered with the Junior League of Portland and the Maine Freedom Project to host a complimentary screening of the film SOLD at The University of New England’s Portland Campus.
The well-attended event took place January 19, 2017 at UNE’s Alumni Hall, and opened with a powerful and moving talk by human trafficking survivor turned advocate, Dee Clarke. Clarke spoke about her childhood and upbringing, and how she went from a sex trafficking victim to a survivor and an advocate. Clarke founded non-profit organization Survivor Speak and works locally to assist and mentor victims of trafficking. Clarke also educated the audience on telltale signs that a person is being trafficked as well as ways they can help. Clarke also discussed common terminology discrepancies and shared other ways to get involved and raise awareness about the issue.
SOLD is a narrative, feature film adaptation of the novel by Patricia McCormick and directed by Academy and Emmy award-winner, Jeffrey D. Brown. The film is based on true stories and through the main character’s journey, illustrates the brutality of child trafficking, which affects millions of children around the globe every year.
To learn more about UNE’s College of Graduate and Professional Studies, visit online.une.edu