January is Human Trafficking Awareness Month and you are invited to join us on Monday, January 31, 2022 at 6:30 PM for an informative webinar to learn more about the FBI's role in combatting human trafficking. Please feel free to share this invitation with others in your community.
Human trafficking is the illegal exploitation of a person. Anyone can be a victim of human trafficking, and it can occur in any U.S. community, this includes cities, suburbs, and even rural areas. The FBI works human trafficking cases under its Crimes Against Children and Human Trafficking Program and takes a trauma informed, victim-centered approach to investigating these cases.
Here in the United States, both U.S. residents and foreign nationals are being bought and sold like modern-day slaves. Traffickers use violence, manipulation, or false promises of well-paying jobs or romantic relationships to exploit victims. Victims are forced to work as prostitutes or to take jobs as migrant, domestic, restaurant, or factory workers with little or no pay. Human trafficking is a heinous crime that exploits the most vulnerable in society.
The goal of this webinar is to help attendees learn more about protecting their children, victim warning signs to look out for, and how to report incidents the National Human Trafficking Resource Center (NHTRC) at 1-888-373-7888 or text 233733. NHTRC is a national, toll-free hotline, with specialists available to answer calls from anywhere in the country, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. You can also submit a tip on the NHTRC website.
Opening Remarks: Special Agent in Charge Thomas J. Sobocinski
Assistance and Resources for Victims Presenters:
Special Agent Ashley Belcher- Crimes Against Children/Human Trafficking Squad
Victim Specialist Elizabeth Appleton
Victim Specialist Seirra Thomas
About the Presenters:
Special Agent in Charge of the Baltimore Field Office Thomas J. Sobocinski
Thomas J. Sobocinski was appointed Special Agent in Charge of the Baltimore Field Office in June 2021. In this position, he is responsible for FBI operations within Maryland and Delaware. Prior to his appointment to Baltimore, he was the Deputy Assistant Director of the International Operations Division at FBIHQ. Mr. Sobocinski joined the FBI in November 1998. He has served in various intelligence, operational and leadership roles within the Counterterrorism Division, International Operations Division, Washington Field Office, and the Charlotte Division - Fayetteville RA. He was previously assigned as the FBI's Senior Liaison Officer to the Department of Homeland Security. Mr. Sobocinski developed extensive overseas experience as Assistant Legal Attaché Kabul, Deputy Legal Attaché London, and Legal Attaché Cairo.
Prior to joining the FBI, Mr. Sobocinski was a Police Officer with the U.S. Park Police and a Special Agent with the U.S. Secret Service. Mr. Sobocinski earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in Sociology and Political Science from Purdue University and a Master of Arts degree in Security Studies from the Naval Postgraduate School, Center for Homeland and Defense Security.
Special Agent Ashley Belcher- Crimes Against Children/Human Trafficking Squad
Ashley Belcher joined the FBI as a Special Agent in 2021 and is assigned to the Crimes Against Children and Human Trafficking squad. Her previous experience includes working as a Criminal Intelligence Analyst with the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office and five years working with the Department of Defense. Ashley approaches each day and interaction with the words of Theodore Roosevelt in mind; “Nobody cares how much you know, until they know how much you care”.
FBI Baltimore Victim Specialist: Seirra Thomas
Seirra serves as a Victim Specialist with the FBI and has a true passion for helping individuals. She developed an early interest in the Human Services field with an emphasis in children, youth, and families. She began her career working in Child Welfare, working with families to build strong and effective partnerships to help families thrive. Seirra is a true believer that "Everyone deserves a voice, and by being an advocate, you can use your voice to benefit so many people around you".
FBI Baltimore Victim Specialist: Elizabeth "Beth" Appleton
Beth began her career in victim services after graduation and worked as a victim advocate for the Montgomery County, Ohio Prosecutor's Office, Victim/Witness Division. She joined the FBI in 2015 and served as the Victim Specialist for the Knoxville Division until her transfer to the Baltimore Division in 2020. VS Appleton is currently a member of the Victim Services Division Mentor Working Group and the Victim Services Response Team.
Date: Monday, January 31, 2022
Time: 6:30 PM ET
