The Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation (CTUIR) Gaming Commission will host a human trafficking prevention training March 20-21 at the Wildhorse Resort & Casino.
CTUIR is collaborating with the Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT), Department of Justice (DOJ) and Oregon State Police Tribal Gaming Section (OSP TGS) to offer the training.
Although geared toward law enforcement, first responders, transportation providers, public assistance providers, health care providers and educators, the free training is open to “all those who believe they could benefit from it,” CTUIR Gaming Commission Gaming Inspector Brad Spencer said. “I have interest from the Pendleton School District, local police departments and tribal governments.”
Spencer said the Gaming Commission is hosting the event because part of its operation is to ensure the physical safety of patrons and employees, as well as protect the resort’s patrons, employees and property from illegal activity.
The training will focus on human trafficking general awareness, detection and prevention. It tentatively includes sessions about working collectively to address human trafficking and partnering with local agencies to identify and respond to survivors.
Tentative panel discussions include officials from the FBI, CTUIR, ODOT, Anti-Trafficking Alliance of Central Oregon and Oregon Businesses Against Trafficking. Scheduled keynote speaker Amanda Swanson, ODOT human trafficking intervention coordinator, will discuss understanding and addressing sex trafficking.
The same subject matter will be offered on both days for those who may have scheduling conflicts.
