United Way of Lake County’s Women United is hosting a “Communitywide Speaker Series” focusing on human trafficking in Northeast Ohio from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. Oct. 10 at The Paradigm at Mentor High School. Sponsored by Laketran, the “event brings together professionals to educate, inform and mobilize the community on this critical public safety issue.” The presentation will feature a keynote address, followed by a panel discussion with seven local experts who will cover topics such as human trafficking prevalence, warning signs and red flags, and available care and resources. “This (speaker series) is a powerful opportunity for our community to come together and learn more about the realities of human trafficking, its impact, and how we can all play a part in stopping it,” said UWLC President and CEO Dione DeMitro. “Education and awareness are key to making a difference in the lives of victims and their families and I am thankful to our Women United affinity group for bringing this important initiative to our community.” Speakers and panelists include: • Keynote speaker: Cuyahoga County Sheriff’s Department Detective John Morgan, who serves as a task force officer with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security Investigations and is assigned to the Ohio Attorney General’s Northeast Ohio Human Trafficking Initiative. Carolyn Kinkoph (Submitted) • Moderator: Carolyn Kinkoph – Co-founder of the Alliance Against Human Trafficking, Kinkoph is a human trafficking survivor parent. Her advocacy spans local, county, state, and federal agencies, as well as non-government partners, forming a multidisciplinary team to combat human trafficking. Panelists: • Annette Mango – Survivor and ambassador for the Ohio Attorney General Human Trafficking Initiative, Mango is a certified peer recovery supporter with the Ohio Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services. • Kathy Strancar – Executive Director of Forbes House, Lake County’s only domestic violence shelter. Strancar has over a decade of experience in trauma-informed environments and leads initiatives supporting survivors of domestic violence, human trafficking, and sexual assault. • Denise Robinson – Adult forensic coordinator at University Hospitals Health Systems, working with the Blair Dickey-White Sexual Assault Survivor Program, Robinson is an expert in adult forensic nursing. • Kathleen Hackett – Pediatric forensic program coordinator at University Hospitals Rainbow Babies and Children’s Hospital, Hackett specializes in forensic nursing for pediatric victims. • Jennifer Moreland – Lead adult sexual assault nurse examiner for the Southeast Region at Portage University Hospitals Medical Center, Moreland is a forensic nurse aiding in the care of survivors. • Dr. Stephanie Gaines – Senior attending physician in emergency medicine and endowed director of the Blair Dickey-White Sexual Assault Survivor Program at University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center; Gaines also serves as assistant professor at the Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine. • Jane Bryan – Assistant nurse manager at Hillcrest Hospital with the Cleveland Clinic Forensic Nursing Program; Bryan brings extensive expertise in forensic nursing for sexual assault survivors. Officials added that attendees will have the opportunity to engage directly with experts during the resource reception, where local organizations will offer further insights and support. The event is open to the public. In-person attendance offers a light meal and beverages. A Virtual Viewing Option is also available. Registration, required by Oct. 7, is $25 per person and $20 for Women United and Emerging Leaders members. The virtual option is free. To register, and for more information, visit uwlc.org/stop-human-trafficking.