Truth To Power | People Against Trafficking Humans Coalition of KY | 1-28-22

January is National Slavery & Human Trafficking Awareness Month and on this week's Truth to Power, we explore the state of human exploitation globally, nationally, and right here in Louisville. Join Forward Radio volunteers, Ruth Newman & Justin Mog for a highly informative conversation with two guests from the People Against Trafficking Humans (PATH) Coalition of Kentucky, Regina Carrico, and Dr. Theresa Hayden; along with Jeanette Westbrook, Social Worker and Human Rights Activist & Defender. Learn more about their work at http://pathcoalitionofky.org AND https://facebook.com/pathcoalitionofky

PATH is co-sponsoring the following events:

1. On Monday 1/31, starting at dusk, The Big Four Bridge will be lit up blue in support of National Slavery & Human Trafficking Month. Come walk the bridge in reverence and post selfies with #HumanTraffickingAwarenessMonth
2. A free online Human Trafficking Awareness & Prevention workshop with UofL’s Women’s Center on Monday 1/31, 5pm-6:30pm. Register: https://bit.ly/3thsuKU 
3. The 12th Annual Human Trafficking Conference hosted by UofL’s Women’s Center on Feb. 24th. 

Regina Carrico, PATH's Board President
Regina V. Carrico is a queer survivor of childhood sexual abuse who uses their personal experiences to explain the complexities of sexual violence and how a story similar to theirs might lead to human trafficking and exploitation. Regina works full time as a paramedic for St Matthews Fire and Rescue. In their EMS career, they realized the gap in continuing education around sexual violence and human trafficking which lead to them researching and becoming a trainer on sexual violence. Their advocacy work began in undergrad when they were involved with the vagina monologues, an advocacy performance that raises awareness on sexual violence and raises money for the V-Day campaign and local organizations such as the Center for Women & Families.

Theresa C. Hayden, PhD, MSSW, PATH's Immediate Past Board President
Theresa served on board Sept. 2015 - June 2021. She earned a doctorate in social work from UofL Kent School, two master degrees (social work Kent School and religious education Fordham University), and a BA degree from Brescia University Owensboro, KY. Her research & teaching interest include human trafficking and generational family violence. In addition, she has presented on human trafficking at international, state, and local conferences.

Survivor Leader Jeanette Westbrook MSSW, is a Social Worker & Human Rights Defender. She has over 27 years of front line experience in working with traumatized clients including refugees from around the world, many who have experienced torture, the horrors of war, exploitation in prostitution, incest survivors, rape victims. In addition, she has spent more than 20 years interfacing with court ordered individuals in Louisville who have been convicted of drug and alcohol offenses, assault, robbery, trafficking, and pimping.

Ms. Westbrook is the first co-chair of the Louisville Human Trafficking Task Force, and previous President of the UN Association of the USA-KY. She is also a member of SPACE International, an international organization endorsed by President Jimmy Carter, advocating world wide for adoption of The Nordic Model of legislation that addresses the exploitation of women & children in prostitution and trafficking. Ms. Westbrook has used her lived experience as a survivor of Non-State Torture and Trafficking to advocate and forward international treaties and policies that facilitate the empowerment of exploited women & girls.

On Truth to Power each week, we gather Forward Radio programmers and friends to discuss the state of the world, the nation, the state, and the city! It's a community conversation like you won't hear anywhere else!

Truth to Power airs every Friday at 9pm, Saturday at 11am, and Sunday at 4pm on Louisville's Forward Radio 106.5fm and http://forwardradio.org