MAY 25, 2022
Will you join us as we work together to build a future free from exploitation?
2022 EMPOWER CONFERENCE
Human Trafficking can be eradicated by ending demand.
To make the greatest impact on the business of Sex and Labor trafficking, we must focus our energy on the energy that drives these markets; demand. Without demand, human trafficking is not possible.
The movement is growing to abolish demand entirely. Join us by demanding change in your community.
MAY 25, 2022 – VIRTUAL EVENT
Produced by:
Michigan Abolitionist Project
Measurable Change
SCHEDULE + LINEUP
Join us as we invite survivor leaders and national experts to help unpack the root causes of slavery.
Panelists will examine the role of supply and demand in cases of both labor and sex trafficking, evaluate demand reduction strategies, and provide tangible ways for community advocates and professionals to take action. No matter your role, involvement, or commitment to this work, you can demand change.
We’re honored to welcome experts that will cover many different aspects of demand.
Check back in as we reveal more speakers!
Sadoc Paredes
Entrepreneur, Leader of SEE’s Labor Trafficking Impact Group, Co-Founder of AgHelp
Sadoc Paredes is labor trafficking advisor with SEE.(Solutions to End Exploitation). Sadoc is spearheading implementation of the labor trafficking screening tool in the Greater Grand Rapids area. He has experience combating labor trafficking through his social impact start-up AgHelp. As a serial entrepreneur, Sadoc is focused on innovation, technology and making a positive social impact.
Ben O’Hearn
Litigation Director & Attorney at Migrant Legal Aid / Co-Leader of SEE’s Labor Trafficking Impact Group
Ben O’Hearn is an attorney with Migrant Legal Aid (MLA). As Litigation Director, Ben is the attorney primarily responsible for advancing MLA’s clients’ legal rights through advocacy, negotiation, and litigation. Ben has been appointed class counsel in class action cases in both state and federal court.
In addition to the legal work that Ben does at Migrant Legal Aid, he is the Co-Chair of the Labor Trafficking Impact Group of the Kent County Human Trafficking Task Force. Finally, like many of his clients Ben is an immigrant himself, moving to the United States from Australia when he was 7. He hopes that his work helps other immigrants feel as welcome in America as he has.
Valentina Seeley
Office of Partnership & Engagement (OPE) Northern Region Director, DHS/U.S. Immigration & Customs Enforcement (ICE)
Valentina Seeley is currently the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Office of Partnership and Engagement (OPE) North Region Director responsible for managing stakeholder engagement, education, communication, community relations, and victims of crime support throughout the Northern region on behalf of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), Enforcement Removal Operations (ERO), Office of Principal Legal Advisor (OPLA), and the Victims Engagement and Services Line -OPE Headquarters. Mrs. Seeley has over 25 years of combined legal, program management, and community relations experience. She began her legal career in 1999 in the Metro-Detroit area as an Immigration Attorney expanding her focus to general practice including civil litigation, family law, and legal research and writing. She joined the federal government in 2009 with the U.S. Department of Justice. In 2011 Mrs. Seeley joined the U.S. Department of State as an Adjudication Program Manager directing and managing the agency’s local adjudication passport program. In 2016 she joined ICE, Office of Partnership and Engagement (OPE) as a Community Relations Officer responsible for engagement activities in Michigan and Ohio. She earned a Bachelor of Arts Degree from the University of Michigan – Dearborn with a double major in Political Science and Hispanic Studies & Spanish and a Juris Doctor Degree from the University of Detroit Mercy College of Law.
Diane Lynn Siegel, M.S.
Victim Assistance Specialist, Homeland Security Investigations, SAC Detroit (Michigan & Ohio
In 1995, Diane began working in the field of social services. While living in Chicago, she was employed with local foster care and grief and loss programs. Diane also worked at the Chicago Children’s Advocacy Center (CAC) as a forensic interviewer, clinical advocate, and training manager. In December 2009, Diane became a Victim Assistance Specialist with Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. She provided direct services to victims as well as case planning and consultation for Special Agents investigating federal crimes in Pennsylvania, West Virginia, and Delaware. In October 2011, Diane moved to Washington, D.C. to serve HSI as a Forensic Interview Specialist. Diane traveled domestically and internationally conducting forensic interviews of child and adult victims of technology facilitated, child exploitation, and human trafficking crimes. In 2014, Diane relocated to Michigan to be with family. She worked at the CAC of Kent County as the Lead Forensic Interviewer and provided periodic training and mentor services for the National Criminal Justice Training Center and the National Children’s Advocacy Center. In the fall of 2018, Diane returned to HSI where she continues to serve as the Victim Assistance Specialist for the HSI Michigan and Ohio offices.
Michael Shively Ph.D.
Senior Advisor on Research & Policy, National Center on Sexual Exploitation (NCOSE)
Michael Shively is a Senior Advisor on Research and Policy at the National Center on Sexual Exploitation. His core objective throughout a 30-year career in applied research has been to provide practitioners, policymakers, and advocates with information and tools to support their efforts to prevent and respond to the victimization of vulnerable populations. Since 2002 he has received a continuous series of eight federal grants to lead research on the perpetration, victimization, and system responses to both survivors and offenders in human trafficking and sexual exploitation. His research on the consumer-level demand that drives all sex trafficking markets includes a rigorous evaluation of a program designed to deter sex buyers. He founded and currently directs Demand Forum, a website documenting demand reduction/prevention tactics used in 2,500 communities throughout the U.S. His prior research includes developing a method for producing valid estimates of human trafficking prevalence; examining the traits and motivations of convicted human traffickers; and conducting a national survey on police responses to human trafficking. He has presented on these and other issues at training programs, expert workgroups, and conferences convened by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security; U.S. Department of State; U.S. Department of Health and Social Services; U.S. Department of Justice; National Academy of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine; Center for Disease Control and Prevention; International Association of Chiefs of Police; International Association of Human Trafficking Investigators; National Association of Attorneys General; Massachusetts Bar Association; American Public Health Association; Academy of Criminal Justice Sciences; and the American Society of Criminology.
Peter Qualliotine
Director, Modeling Equality
Peter has been working to promote men’s accountability and end commercial sexual exploitation and other forms of gender-based violence for over thirty years. In the early 1990s, he co-founded the Sexual Exploitation Education Project in Portland, Oregon, where he created one of the first sex buyers intervention programs in the country. During that time, he also worked with the Portland Women’s Crisis Line to integrate the issue of commercial sexual exploitation into a comprehensive middle and high school program to prevent gender-based violence. In 2012, he co-founded Organization for Prostitution Survivors (OPS) with Noel Gomez in Seattle. As OPS’ Director of Men’s Accountability, he launched the 10-week sex buyers intervention program Stopping Sexual Exploitation and co-coordinated the King County Ending Exploitation Collaborative. Presently, Peter lives in Western Massachusetts and coordinates Modeling Equality, a project funded by the NoVo Foundation to catalyze the creation and implementation of policies and practices across multiple sectors that address commercial sexual exploitation through an Equality Model framework
Kwami Adoboe-Herrera
Anti-Trafficking Advocate and Speaker and Teacher
Kwami Adoboe-Herrera is an anti-trafficking advocate and a speaker. As a survivor himself, he understands the unfortunate impact of human trafficking around us. His lived experience guided his career and interests to support policies that help support victims as they navigate life after experiencing trafficking. Kwami was featured in a documentary called Break the Chain. The film provides a detailed look at how trafficking goes unnoticed within our backyards. Break the Chain was developed to provide an accurate and educational entertainment resource that can be utilized in training and community awareness events throughout the United States. Kwami is currently a member of Not for Sale: One Step at a Time, an organization that brings awareness and hope to this hardly seen issue in communities across Ohio, America, and around the world. Kwami’s goals are to raise awareness, reduce the risk of victimization, educate members of the government and the general public, and advocate for victim protection and wellness. Kwami received a Bachelor of Science Degree in Education from Walsh University. His ultimate goal is to work for the Department of Justice as an FBI agent to rescue victims from their trafficker.
2014 “50 Most Influential Women in West Michigan”, 2018 Michigan Liberator Award, 2019 Grand Rapids Negro Business and Professional Women’s Club Certificate of Achievement, 2021 African American Leadership Award, and the 2021 BBB Trust Award. She recently published a biography of her story titled “When Angels Fight.”
Melissa Novock, J.D.
Victim Specialist, FBI DE (Detroit)
Melissa Novock is currently a Victim Specialist with the FBI. She primarily works with the VCAC squad (Violent Crimes Against Children) and handles human trafficking cases across southeastern Michigan. Her history of working with survivors of human trafficking includes both Detroit and New York City. Before joining the FBI, Ms. Novock was the Human Trafficking Director of Programs and Services at WC SAFE(AVALON). In New York City she worked for the Center for Court Innovation as the Prostitution Diversion Coordinator (in the Bronx) where she assisted with developing the Human Trafficking Court Part designated to provide ATI services for survivors. She has worked with victims/ survivors of human trafficking, intimate partner violence, and sexual assault for over twenty-five years. The span and context of working with survivors includes the criminal justice system, the legal system, the medical/health care system and various not-for-profit organizations. Ms. Novock obtained her J.D. from the University of Detroit Mercy School of Law and her B.A. from St. Mary’s College, Notre Dame, IN.
E. Christopher Johnson, Jr.
CEO & Co-Founder at Center for Justice, Rights & Dignity / MAP Board President
West Point and New York Law School graduate who values his Christian faith and his family. Retired Vice President and General Counsel of GM North America and Law School Professor with Compliance and CSR experience who is using this expertise to eradicate human trafficking/slavery in corporate supply chains and other areas in our society and advance the cause of justice and secure human and civil rights for all who are denied human dignity.
Leslie King
Founder and President of Sacred Beginnings, Survivor Leader
Leslie King-Friday was trafficked at the age of 15 for over 20 years in Grand Rapids Michigan. On July 4th, 2000 Leslie’s life was changed forever. Through sincerity of her heart and an answer from God, Leslie was given a new lease on life and set to starting her life’s work. In 2005, Leslie utilized her experience, expertise, and inspiring example of a renewed lifestyle to open Sacred Beginnings, a safe haven that offers hope, and healing to trafficking victims. Leslie consults with law enforcement agencies, human service professionals, clergy, and others requesting direction and understanding in working with prostituted individuals. She also speaks at various conferences and academic institutions on the issue of human trafficking. Her awards and recognitions include: 2005 Grand Rapids, Woman of the Year nominee, 2008 YWCA Advocate of the Year, 2011 Rising Hero Award,
2014 “50 Most Influential Women in West Michigan”, 2018 Michigan Liberator Award, 2019 Grand Rapids Negro Business and Professional Women’s Club Certificate of Achievement, 2021 African American Leadership Award, and the 2021 BBB Trust Award. She recently published a biography of her story titled “When Angels Fight.”