Stories

By Madison Michelle Patrick ’25

This fall, I had the privilege of attending the Innovative Anti-Trafficking Strategies Conference, held annually by the San Francisco Collaborative Against Human Trafficking. This full-day conference brought together the expertise and collaborative efforts of survivors, human service providers, law enforcement agencies, volunteers, non-profit organizations, and federal agencies, all dedicated to exploring innovative strategies for prosecuting and preventing human trafficking crimes and supporting survivors.

Human trafficking is a severe violation of human rights, dignity, and self-determination, with profound impacts that are challenging to quantify. This year’s conference emphasized the importance of building effective partnerships across departments and agencies to extend ongoing protections and resources for survivors while strengthening both prevention and investigative efforts in combating this covert crime. Discussions included the alarming role of inadequately regulated social media platforms in victim targeting, alongside proposed legislation to enhance online protections for children and enforce accountability measures for major platforms. Additionally, the importance of utilizing a trauma-informed and survivor-led approach to prevention and support initiatives was highlighted, aiming to increase the quality and longevity of direct services. These approaches consider the complexity of trafficking crimes and dismantle misconceptions about the “perfect victim”.

Beyond the educational benefits, I had the valuable opportunity to network with other professionals and volunteers in the anti-trafficking field and witness the critical role of survivor advocacy—a perspective that has deeply influenced my career intentions. I attended expert panel presentations on 'Innovative Training and Education' and 'Creatively Navigating Survivor Support through the Judicial Process,' both of which offered valuable insights into current challenges and emerging strategies in the field.

I am incredibly appreciative of the Santa Clara University Sociology Department and affiliated donors for funding this professional development experience. I am confident that this investment will be fruitful as I advance further into the professional sphere, supported by my foundation in social justice studies and the guidance of dedicated Sociology faculty who have equipped me to pursue my professional goals with vigor and integrity.