PEMBROKE — The University of North Carolina at Pembroke will host a conference on Human Trafficking on Wednesday at the University Center Annex, beginning at 9 a.m. and ending at noon.

There is no charge, and the public is welcome along with students, staff and faculty.

Human trafficking is the second largest crime epidemic globally, according to the U.S. Department of Justice. The International Labor Organization estimates that nearly 21 million people—mostly young women and children—are subjected to modern day slavery across the globe, including forced labor and sex trafficking.

“We will hear from speakers who have fought to protect the victims of human trafficking on an international, national and state level, those who have fought to toughen and enforce our laws against modern day slavery, and those who work directly with victims in non-governmental organizations (NGOs),” said Judith Paparozzi, a criminal justice professor at UNCP and conference organizer,

Speakers include:

— U.S. Congressman Chris Smith, co-chair of the Congressional Human Trafficking Caucus, and author of the Trafficking Victims Protection Act;

— Former state Sen. Thom Goolsby, co-sponsor of the Safe Harbor/Victims of Human Trafficking law and the 2015 winner of the Public Policy Award from the N.C. Human Trafficking Commission;

— Lindsey Roberson, 2015 Prosecution Award winner from the N.C. Human Trafficking Commission for her assistance to Sen. Goolsby drafting the law;

— Kiricka Yarbough Smith, chair of the North Carolina Coalition Against Human Trafficking;

— Pam Strickland, founder of Eastern N.C. Stop Human Trafficking Now;

— Fran and Doug Funderburg of Global Child Rescue N.C.; and

— MaLisa Johnson Umstead, co-founder and executive director of A Safe Place.

For information, contact Judith Paparozzi of UNCP’s Criminal Justice Department at 910.471.1534 or email [email protected].

Staff report