New Jersey Coalition Against Human Trafficking Offers Resources to Prevent Trafficking during Berkeley College Seminar
Friday, January 26, 2024
Senior Director, Communications and External Relations
973-200-1099
KME@BerkeleyCollege.edu
Photo Caption (L to R): Patti Pfeifer, Speakers Bureau and Co-Chair, Outreach Committee, New Jersey Coalition Against Human Trafficking, and Gina Cavallo, Survivor Consultant, New Jersey Coalition Against Human Trafficking, share resources to prevent human trafficking during a seminar at Berkeley College in Woodland Park, NJ, on January 17, 2024. January is National Human Trafficking Prevention Month.
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More Information: Visit www.safernj.org/ for resources and information on the New Jersey Coalition Against Human Trafficking.
Representatives from the New Jersey Coalition Against Human Trafficking shared resources to prevent human trafficking, as well as personal stories of survival, during a seminar at Berkeley College in Woodland Park, NJ, on January 17, 2024. The event was well-attended by Berkeley College students pursuing degrees in the areas of Justice Studies – Criminal Justice and Legal Studies. January is National Human Trafficking Prevention Month.
“Human trafficking happens everywhere and discriminates against no one,” said Gina Cavallo, Survivor Consultant, New Jersey Coalition Against Human Trafficking. “It happens in our own backyard.”
Cavallo shared her personal story of surviving childhood abuse, domestic violence, and sex trafficking. She said crimes are underreported for fear of victim-blaming or how the truth may affect a survivor’s life and relationships.
“There are two things victims are always left with – fear and shame,” Cavallo said. “If they are lucky enough to find a way out, they are still living with a life sentence. There is still the scar.”
Cavallo and Patti Pfeifer, Speakers Bureau and Co-Chair, Outreach Committee, New Jersey Coalition Against Human Trafficking, encouraged the audience to seek out resources and have difficult conversations about the dangers of human trafficking with young children.
“Traffickers are smart people,” Pfeifer said. “They are masters of manipulation. They are really good at finding what your vulnerabilities are.”
Pfeifer said human trafficking can affect all ages and genders, and is especially prevalent in New Jersey as a densely populated area that hosts many large-scale events, has an extensive transportation system, and is close to New York City and Philadelphia.
“Education brings awareness and awareness hopefully brings prevention,” Cavallo said.
Photo Caption: Berkeley College Justice Studies – Criminal Justice students Ayanna Guzman (left) and Phillip Worley (right) ask questions during a seminar about human trafficking at Berkeley College in Woodland Park, NJ, on January 17, 2024.
“I appreciate (Gina Cavallo’s) courage and efforts to make a change by informing others through her story,” said Phillip Worley of Paramus, NJ, President of the Justice League, a student club for Justice Studies and Legal Studies students. “This event was important for Justice Studies students as a way to reinforce, challenge, and build on their foundational knowledge for their future careers.”
“Even though I’ve always known human trafficking was real, today it came to life for me,” said Ayanna Guzman of Paterson, NJ, who is pursuing a degree in Justice Studies – Criminal Justice. “Gina Cavallo is a voice for the survivors and current victims of human/sex trafficking. I genuinely appreciate and admire her strength.”
Photo Caption (L to R): Marisol Abuin, JD, Chair, Legal Studies, Berkeley College School of Professional Studies; Diane Recinos, EdD, President of Berkeley College; Patricia Greer, JD, Provost; Patti Pfeifer, Speakers Bureau and Co-Chair, Outreach Committee, New Jersey Coalition Against Human Trafficking; Gina Cavallo, Survivor Consultant, New Jersey Coalition Against Human Trafficking; and Gary Krulish, Chair, Justice Studies, Berkeley College School of Professional Studies, during a seminar about human trafficking at Berkeley College in Woodland Park, NJ, on January 17, 2024.
About Berkeley College
Berkeley College, founded in 1931, is a career-focused institution accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education that offers students Master’s, Bachelor’s, and Associate’s degree and Certificate programs in more than 20 career fields. The College also offers Continuing Education programs to enhance career credentials.
Berkeley College has campuses in New York City and in Newark, Woodbridge, and Woodland Park, NJ, with more than 3,500 students enrolled. In addition, Berkeley College Online® serves a global population. U.S. News & World Report has named Berkeley College among the Best Colleges for Online Bachelor’s Programs and among the Best Online Bachelor’s Programs for Veterans, for 10 consecutive years. Berkeley College was also ranked among the Best Regional Colleges/Universities in the North in the 2023-2024 edition of the U.S. News & World Report Best Colleges survey. The website address is https://BerkeleyCollege.edu.
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