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_{Pictured: SAFE Center Founder and CEO Susan Esserman speaks at event at the Maryland State House in recognition of National Human Trafficking Prevention Month.Photo Credit: Joe Andrucyk, Executive Office of the Governor Wes Moore.}

Published on the SAFE Center LinkedIn site, Adapted for the MPower website | February 5, 2026

Editor’s Note: The University of Maryland Support, Advocacy, Freedom, and Empowerment (SAFE) Center for Human Trafficking is a signature initiative of the University of Maryland Strategic Partnership: MPowering the State. Since 2016, the SAFE Center has provided a combination of comprehensive legal, social, economic, mental health, and medical services to human trafficking survivors and their families.

In recognition of National Human Trafficking Prevention Month, Maryland Lt. Governor Aruna Miller, Maryland Secretary of State Susan Lee, and University of Maryland SAFE Center for Human Trafficking Survivors Founder and CEO Susan Esserman led an event at the Maryland State House highlighting Maryland’s commitment to step up to combat human trafficking as the federal government steps back. Lt. Governor Miller and Secretary Lee presented a proclamation signed by Governor Moore recognizing the need for Maryland to step up to fill gaps in services, funding, and law enforcement.

Susan Esserman emphasized the importance of not losing ground in the fight against trafficking and welcomed the state stepping up to fill the gaps. She highlighted the need to give greater attention to labor trafficking and proposed additional actions to be taken by the state.

Lt. Governor Miller and Secretary Lee kicked off the program by speaking to the hidden nature of the crime of trafficking, the growth of online recruitment strategies, and the need to come together as a community to help survivors. Attorney General Anthony Brown, cabinet secretaries and agency leaders including Secretary Portia Wu, Executive Director Dorothy Lennig, Superintendent Michael Jackson, Executive Director Alger Studstill, Jr., and State’s Attorney John McCarthy reviewed their programs and Maryland’s steps forward in protecting survivors and reaffirmed their agencies’ commitment to the fight against trafficking.

Amanda Rodriguez, Jessica Emerson, and Lisae Jordan presented approaches to anti-trafficking and violence prevention initiatives at their respective organizations TurnAround Inc., Human Trafficking Prevention Project, and Maryland Coalition Against Sexual Assault, emphasizing the need to believe the words of survivors and provide opportunities for criminal record relief.

Survivor Stacy Jewell compellingly shared how theater and poetry, her faith, and support from local service providers facilitated her healing process. She expressed how this support especially helped her to learn to believe in her own voice.

In closing the program, Rev. Tony Lee stressed how vital it is to face hard times together to protect the humanity and dignity of every person.