January is Human Trafficking Awareness Month
DMST Conference — Be Their Voice: Breaking the Silence to Stop Human Trafficking
Date: January 15 - 8am-4pm
Location: Temple Baptist Church
3159 Sanderosa Road
Fayetteville, North Carolina 28312
Why attend:
- Gain knowledge about the scope and signs of DMST
- Learn best practices for prevention and intervention
- Connect with local advocates and multidisciplinary partners
Join us for an important educational conference focused on Domestic Minor Sex Trafficking (DMST) and how to recognize, prevent, and respond to it in our communities. This event brings together professionals, advocates, and community members to deepen understanding of this complex issue and strengthen collective response efforts. Through expert-led sessions and real-world insights, participants will learn actionable strategies to break the silence around trafficking and be an effective voice for survivors.
Info about keynote speaker:
John-Michael Lander: Survivor, Advocate, and Speaker
John-Michael Lander is a Survivor, Author, Speaker, and Advocate whose powerful journey has transformed the lives of countless individuals. Groomed and trafficked as a 14-year-old Olympic-bound athlete by those entrusted with his training, he courageously broke his silence to expose systemic exploitation and advocate for change.
Founder of An Athlete's Silence, John-Michael has been a pivotal voice in the global fight against abuse and trafficking. He has been featured in Time Magazine, USA Today, CBC’s Canada Tonight with Ginella Massa, and CityNews Winnipeg with Mark Neufeld. As a panelist for the Netflix documentary Athlete A and a key contributor to the Athletes' Bill of Rights, 2024 Paris Olympic Games Campaign to prevent abuse, exploitation, and trafficking worldwide, he is a leader in shaping protective policies for athletes worldwide. He was interviewed by George Clooney's production company for a documentary exploring a notorious university sex scandal.
John-Michael's groundbreaking programs, including the Predatory Grooming Trifecta©, which demonstrates how the predator grooms the institution/organization first, the parents/guardians second, and then the athlete/child third, which allows the predator to go undetected for years; Predatory Internet Grooming© (PIG), and PIG PATROL© which educate organizations, parents, and schools on recognizing and combating grooming and online exploitation; and Athletes’ Arena© a safe, courageous space where athletes can hear, share, and build tools to protect themselves and others from mental, physical, and sexual abuse—while learning how to use their voice and power without fear.
An engaging speaker, John-Michael has shared his expertise on prestigious platforms, from the UN Geneva, UNODC World Day Against Trafficking, COATNET and Caritas International, Interpol, Human Trafficking and Human Rights Panel Event with Sovereign Order of Malta, Shared Hope International’s JuST Conference, and The National Coalition to End Sexual Exploitation Global Summit. As a consultant and content creator for SurvivorSpace.org, his articles and live podcast Talk with John-Michael continue to inspire and inform.
As a frequent guest and interviewer on top podcasts such as True Crime & Hollywood with Celene Beth Olsen, What Came Next with Amy B. Chesler, Hear It from Me with Dale Lykins, The Zac Pitts Show, and Beyond the Current Situation with Lily Sander, John-Michael’s ability to connect deeply with audiences reinforces his message of hope and empowerment. Switching roles to interview hosts has further showcased his exceptional communication skills and storytelling expertise.
A certified Trainer for the Self-Talk Institute, John-Michael empowers survivors and organizations to reprogram their lives through the transformative power of Self-Talk. His unwavering dedication to advocacy, education, and resilience exemplifies the spirit of the Liberator Award.
He is the recipient of the 2024 Freedom Award. His books, Surface Tension and Cracked Surface, have been featured in Books by Survivors: A Resource by FYN GLOBAL.
John-Michael’s mission extends to fostering awareness in medical, educational, and advocacy communities, evident in his five-years working with first-year medical students at Ohio State University, providing training on survivor-centered communication.
Through his writing, speaking, and coaching, John-Michael Lander exemplifies resilience and a tireless commitment to transforming lives. His work shines a spotlight on systemic abuse while offering actionable solutions and hope. He remains a powerful advocate for justice and change, empowering others to break free from silence and reclaim their lives.
Human Trafficking Awareness Month
Together, We Can Protect, Prevent, and Restore Hope
Human trafficking is one of the most urgent human rights crises of our time.
Right now, over 25 million people are trapped in modern slavery worldwide — exploited through force, fraud, or coercion. It affects every age, every background, and every community, including our own.
During Human Trafficking Awareness Month, we come together to shine a light on this hidden crime, protect the vulnerable, and strengthen our collective commitment to ending exploitation.
Why Awareness Matters
Awareness isn’t passive — it saves lives. By increasing education and community involvement, we help:
- Protect vulnerable individuals from falling victim to traffickers.
- Increase recognition of red flags and warning signs within our neighborhoods.
- Promote prevention through education, training, and community action.
- Support survivors in reclaiming their lives with dignity and hope.
Every conversation, every shared resource, and every trained adult helps create a safer community for all.
How You Can Take Action
Ending trafficking requires all of us. Here’s how you can make an immediate impact:
- Educate yourself and others about what trafficking really looks like.
- Report suspicious activity to local authorities — your call could save a life.
- Volunteer or donate to organizations working to prevent trafficking and support survivors.
- Advocate for stronger laws and policies that protect vulnerable populations and hold traffickers accountable.
Be Their Voice 5K Run/Walk — Stop Human Trafficking
Saturday, January 24, 2026
Time: 9:00 AM – 10:30 AM EST
Location: Methodist University, Fayetteville, NC (5400 Ramsey Street)
Get ready to kick off the new year with purpose! Lace up for the Be Their Voice 5K, a community run/walk supporting awareness and local efforts to stop human trafficking. Participants will enjoy a scenic 5K course through the Methodist University campus while helping shine a light on this critical issue. Your registration includes a race shirt, and finishers receive medals — all while supporting meaningful partnerships with the Worth Court and the Child Advocacy Center.
RunSignup
Details:
- Community-focused event for all ages and abilities
- Stroller friendly course, dog-friendly (start in back)
- Free race-day parking and water stations on course
Register early — this event sells out annually!
Registration: Open now — price increases after December 31, 2025.
