In the inaugural Next Steps Forward Symposium: Combating Human Trafficking, Dr. Chris Meek, host of the Next Steps Forward weekly podcast, leads a solution-focused conversation with three distinguished experts: Kristi Wells, founder and CEO of Safe House Project; Dr. Stephany Powell, a human trafficking expert advisor for the National Center on Sexual Exploitation; and Andi Buerger, a survivor and founder of Voices Against Trafficking.

This discussion pulls back the curtain on the $160 billion global human trafficking industry, challenging the myth that exploitation only happens in distant places. The panel examines the "hidden" nature of trafficking in local communities , the alarming role of technology and social media in targeting minors, and the urgent need for demand reduction through legislation. Beyond the statistics, the participants emphasize moving from awareness to action, discussing the necessity of survivor-centered restorative care and the profound hope found in the resilience of those who have reclaimed their lives.