24th Parliamentary Intelligence-Security Forum – Human Trafficking
CEO of Ascend Consulting, Chair of PI-SF Taskforce on Human Trafficking, United States
February 23, 2023
Parlatino, Panama
Ms. Anne Basham explained that human trafficking is one of the largest humanitarian crises in the world. It enslaves millions of people through sexual exploitation, labor exploitation, forced marriage, orphanage trafficking, and other forms of modern slavery. According to her, the most recent global estimate estimates that 50 million people are enslaved. To put that in perspective, that is the equivalent of the entire population of Colombia. And this number continues to rise every year with no signs of stopping. Human trafficking is currently the second largest criminal enterprise in the world.
31st Parliamentary Intelligence-Security Forum – Human Trafficking
Ms. Mary Vigil, a former executive branch official who led counter-trafficking efforts at USAID and a former congressional staffer, emphasized that human trafficking has evolved into a strategic, state-linked threat…
31st Parliamentary Intelligence-Security Forum – Human Trafficking
Ms.Tanya Gould, Director of Anti-Human Trafficking for the Commonwealth of Virginia and a survivor herself, emphasizes that human trafficking is not just a social issue but a critical national security…
31st Parliamentary Intelligence-Security Forum – Human Trafficking
Ms. Anne Basham highlights that human trafficking is not only a humanitarian crisis but also a major global security threat fueled by corruption, cybercrime, and organized criminal networks. She explains…
24th Parliamentary Intelligence-Security Forum – Human Trafficking
Lieutenant Carlos Cossio spoke about human trafficking and its relationship with sects, explaining that many people think of sects as something utopian, when in reality, they exist and pose a…
24th Parliamentary Intelligence-Security Forum – Human Trafficking
Honorable Beatriz Yañiquez lamented that it is still believed that slavery is something of the past, when the reality is that it still exists and continues to grow. Hon. Yaquiñez…
24th Parliamentary Intelligence-Security Forum – Human Trafficking
Ms. Alika Kinan shared, through her experience as a survivor of human trafficking, the correct models to work on this big problem that exists in all regions. She lamented that…
23rd Parliamentary Intelligence-Security Forum – Human Trafficking
Hon. Sonia Krimi, a French Member of Parliament, addressed the issues of child sexual exploitation and female prostitution, asserting that the notion of prostitution as “the oldest profession” is erroneous…
23rd Parliamentary Intelligence-Security Forum – Human Trafficking
Hon. Arnold Viersen, Member of Parliament for Peace River–Westlock, Canada, recounted his journey into anti-human trafficking advocacy, inspired by the tragic story of a 15-year-old girl who committed suicide after…
23rd Parliamentary Intelligence-Security Forum – Human Trafficking
Honorable Tanya Gould commenced by acknowledging her position within the human trafficking survivor community and expressing gratitude for the support of her government, family, and local community. She emphasized the…
23rd Parliamentary Intelligence-Security Forum – Human Trafficking
Ms. Anne Basham commenced by expressing her gratitude to Congressman Pittinger for hosting the forum and emphasizing that human trafficking transcends humanitarian concerns, directly impacting global security. She observed that…
23rd Parliamentary Intelligence-Security Forum – Human Trafficking
Congressman Burgess Owens addressed the issue of human trafficking, underscoring the significance of engagement, education, and participation as essential strategies. He recounted a personal family history of survival and resilience,…
