Madison, Wis. – The Wisconsin Massage Therapy & Bodywork Therapy Affiliated Credentialing Board is hosting a Human Trafficking Summit on June 2, in conjunction with the Federation of State Massage Therapy Boards (FSMTB).
The one-day educational event brings together diverse groups interested in advancing collaborative efforts to eliminate human trafficking.
Regulatory boards, law enforcement, and educators can gain insights, build connections, and strengthen strategies in the fight against human trafficking and illicit massage businesses. They will learn more about the complexities of illicit massage businesses where labor or sex trafficking may be occurring and hear how they can collaborate with other groups to respond.
The FSMTB says Wisconsin ranks 30th in the nation with more than 150 Illicit Massage Businesses (IMBs) and experienced a 51% increase in IMBs over the past four years.
“As Wisconsin’s safety agency, we’re always interested in collaborations and conversations that improve safety in Wisconsin communities,” said Department of Safety and Professional Services Secretary Dan Hereth. “I look forward to discussing how we can work together – policy makers, law enforcement, educators, and others – to tackle this problem.”
Sec. Hereth will join leaders from the Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development and the state Department of Justice for a panel discussion on next steps to address human trafficking. You can see a complete agenda and register for the summit on the FSMTB website. The Human Trafficking Summit opens at 8:30 a.m. on June 2nd at the Hilton Madison Monona Terrace.
The FSMTB helps facilitate regional summits in select FSMTB member states based on identified needs, available resources, and state requests. These summits examine how regulators, law enforcement, and other groups can work together to prevent and combat human trafficking.
About DSPS
DSPS issues more than 240 unique licenses, administers dozens of boards and councils that regulate professions, enforces state building codes, runs the state fire prevention program, and maintains the award-winning Wisconsin Enhanced Prescription Drug Monitoring Program, which is a key tool in the multi-faceted public health campaign to stem excessive opioid prescribing. A fee-based agency, DSPS is self-sustaining and receives no general fund tax dollars for its day-to-day operations. With five offices and 250 employees throughout Wisconsin, DSPS collaborates with constituents and stakeholders across a wide range of industries to promote safety and advance the economy.
