Human trafficking is happening right here in our backyard, and North Star Initiative is working to expose the issue and support the victims. The organization will host Welcome to the Battle, an event to spread awareness and information about the topic, on Tuesday, Jan. 30, from 6 to 8 p.m. at the LCBC Manheim campus, 2392 Mount Joy Road.

The evening will feature experts from all sectors of the human trafficking field, who will provide information on the latest tactics traffickers are using, how to identify trafficking and what to do when trafficking is suspected.

"We annually host this event, inviting partner organizations to join us to share their programs with attendees and provide a comprehensive picture to our community of the many people who participate in the battle to end trafficking," explained Melinda Clark, executive director of North Star Initiative. "Along with the displays, we invite experts in the field to a panel where they share their insights around a particular topic. ... This year we are focusing on answering questions about traffickers' recruiting tactics and barriers that could prevent someone from exiting the situation in which they're being exploited."

The panel will feature detective Kevin Quinter, a member of the Anti-Trafficking Task Force and expert on preventing online child exploitation; Mandy Billman, director of the Sexual Assault Prevention and Counseling Center of the YWCA, with more than 20 years' experience caring for victims; Celeste Hutchinson, North Star's clinical program director, who has extensive experience in trauma healing and vulnerable demographics; and Andrea McHenry, executive director of F.R.E.E. in Berks County, with more than 10 years of experience in outreach and care for women with lived experience of being trafficked.

"The speakers are deeply knowledgeable, invested professionals who have so much to offer," Clark shared. "Trafficking is a topic about which we see a great deal of misinformation, and we desire our community to be equipped, educated and prepared to respond. This event is a must-attend for anyone who cares about the issue."

Six partner organizations will be at the event with information about their programs, and heavy appetizers will be served.

"Our goal is to provide a forum for members of our community who care about this issue and want to learn more - whether they feel they have a lot of information or are just starting to realize this issue exists - to have access to experts who can offer current, accurate information," Clark said.

This year, there is no cost to attend Welcome to the Battle, but participants are asked to register at http://www.northstarinitiative.org/events.