FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
The Alliance to End Human Trafficking Highlights the Importance of Early Prevention Education at G20 Interfaith Forum
SALT LAKE CITY, Utah — The Alliance to End Human Trafficking (AEHT), represented by Executive Director Katie Boller Gosewisch, participated in the 2026 G20 Interfaith Forum, held October 15–17 in Salt Lake City, Utah. The gathering brought together faith leaders, policymakers, scholars, and nonprofit representatives to discuss global challenges, including human trafficking, hunger, mental health, and education.
Gosewisch spoke during the session “Preventing Human Trafficking and Modern Slavery,” emphasizing the importance of introducing prevention education at an early age. Moderated by Dr. Frederick Axelgard, Director of Special Projects for the G20 Interfaith Forum Association, the panel included Bishop Alastair Redfern, founder of the Clew Initiative; Bishop Brendan Cahill, Chairman of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ Committee on Migration; Utah State Representative Melissa Garff Ballard; Timothy Wren of the British Standards Institution (BSI); and Tim Rollins, founder of JTR Impact Advisory. The discussion addressed the roles of education, faith communities, government policy, and institutional accountability in preventing exploitation.
“Prevention begins long before trafficking occurs. And it can begin as early as preschool age,” said Gosewisch. “We do not need to wait until adolescence to teach the concepts that help protect children.”
Early prevention education can introduce children to age-appropriate concepts such as personal boundaries, healthy relationships, and identifying trusted adults. These foundational lessons can help children recognize unsafe situations and seek assistance when needed.
The discussion covered government accountability, collaboration among faith communities, the use of digital resources in prevention, and the development of international corporate standards to help organizations identify and address human trafficking and forced labor risks in their operations and supply chains.
###
About the Alliance to End Human Trafficking
Alliance to End Human Trafficking was founded in 2013 by a group of Catholic Sisters committed to ending human trafficking and supporting survivors. They created a national network of resources and support that includes many different congregations of women religious and mission-aligned partners. Today, this member-based organization has grown to include more than 115 congregations and 100+ individuals and organizations across the United States. AEHT is also the U.S. member of Talitha Kum, the international network of consecrated life working to end human trafficking.
CONTACT: Sofia W. Nimri, Communications Director
sofiawaed@alliancetoendhumantrafficking.org
