Attorney General Alan Wilson opens inaugural Human Trafficking in the Carolinas Conference on World Day Against Trafficking in Persons

(COLUMBIA, S.C.) –South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson opened the inaugural Human Trafficking in the Carolinas Conference this morning in Columbia. The South Carolina Human Trafficking Task Force, in collaboration with the North Carolina Human Trafficking Commission, is hosting the conference on July 30^th and 31^st in Columbia. The conference brings together more than 300 professionals, survivor leaders, and advocates from across the region, united in the fight to end human trafficking.

“This conference represents a bold step forward in our fight to end human trafficking,” said Attorney General Wilson, Chair of the SC Human Trafficking Task Force. “Human trafficking is a crime that demands coordination, and this event gives us the opportunity to build a more unified response to protect victims and hold traffickers accountable.”

Stakeholders from South Carolina, North Carolina, Georgia, and beyond convene to explore emerging trends, share multidisciplinary strategies, and strengthen collaborative efforts in combating trafficking and supporting survivors. The two-day forum offers tracks for law enforcement, prosecutors, healthcare providers, service organizations, and community advocates. The conference presents international, national, and local speakers; survivor-led sessions; panel discussions; workshops; and networking opportunities.

Featured speakers include Dr. Robert Macy, President of the International Trauma Center; State Representative Brandon Guffey from District 48; and Megan Lundstrom, CEO of Polaris/National Human Trafficking Hotline. Attendees will also hear from international and national subject-matter experts from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, A21, and the Human Trafficking Institute.

“We are honored to welcome so many dedicated professionals, leaders, and survivors to this conference,” said Monique Garvin, Acting Director of the SC Human Trafficking Task Force. “This convening not only signals our commitment to addressing human trafficking on a deeper level, but it also creates a space for enhanced collaboration in our region and beyond that promotes awareness and action. Together, we are building a network equipped to prevent exploitation, support survivors, and combat this crime.”

The event also coincides with World Day Against Trafficking in Persons (July 30), a global opportunity to raise awareness and mobilize efforts to end human trafficking.  

For more information, visit the South Carolina Human Trafficking Task Force website at www.scag.gov/human-trafficking.