Executive Summary
- The conference takes place February 26-27 in Chattanooga, hosted by WillowBend Farms and local government.
- Attendees include law enforcement, survivors, and healthcare professionals focusing on prevention strategies.
- Curriculum covers warning signs, addiction links, and trauma-informed care for victims.
- Up to 21 continuing education units are available for eligible professionals.
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. — The fifth annual “Are You Awake? Human Trafficking and Drug Endangered Child Conference” is scheduled to convene in Chattanooga on February 26 and 27, bringing together community stakeholders to confront the prevalence of human trafficking and drug endangerment in Tennessee. Hosted by WillowBend Farms in partnership with the City of Chattanooga and Hamilton County, the event aims to provide critical training and resources to local professionals.
Organizers emphasize that human trafficking and drug endangerment are not distant issues but are actively occurring within communities across the state. The two-day conference will gather a diverse group of attendees, including survivors, law enforcement officers, healthcare professionals, educators, social workers, and faith leaders. The curriculum is designed to equip these groups with practical strategies for prevention and intervention.
According to event details, participants will receive training on recognizing the warning signs of trafficking and understanding the correlation between addiction and child exploitation. Sessions will also cover trauma-informed responses for working with survivors and examine the intersection of child sexual abuse imagery and trafficking-related crimes. Organizers note that the primary goal is to provide actionable tools that attendees can implement within their respective agencies and schools.
Operational Significance
The persistence of the “Are You Awake” conference underscores the critical need for a multidisciplinary approach to public safety in the Chattanooga region. By integrating law enforcement tactics with social work and healthcare perspectives, local authorities are signaling a strategic shift toward comprehensive community mobilization. This collaborative model is essential for closing the gap between victim identification and the deployment of effective support systems in the fight against exploitation.
