Awareness is Prevention (AIP) has launched a new initiative in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic due to the excessive proliferation of dubious websites that engage in online sex trafficking and prostitution. The pandemic has suddenly uprooted our children from their classrooms and has forced them to spend a majority of their days online. Advertisements for such dangerous websites have completely taken over major social media platforms that target children. As a result, minors are not only being inundated with links to websites that promote graphic sexual content and illegal criminal activities, but are also exposed to the concept that participation in the sex industry is financially rewarding. Such a dangerous situation has put the safety of children and families globally at tremendous risk.
In response to this growing threat, AIP’s is taking initiative to educate policy makers, law enforcement, institutions, websites with adult content, and payment processing companies about potential legal violations as they relate to age verification, sex trafficking and child safety. AIP is collaborating with these entities as well as the broader victim’s rights community to shine the light on this burgeoning crisis.
For this effort, AIP has teamed up with the University of New Haven’s (UNH) Center for Forensic Investigations of Trafficking in Persons (CFITP). CFITP advocates the use of forensic based methodologies in the fight against human trafficking. The center was founded on this premise and has been embraced by Federal, State and local enforcement and other entities involved in combating trafficking in persons.
The Center’s Timothy Palmbach provides AIP with strategic counsel as a subject matter expert due to his extensive credentials in the anti-human trafficking space. Professor Palmbach is Chair of the Forensic Science Department and Executive Director of Henry Lee Institute of Forensic Science. He served 22 years with Connecticut State Police, retiring as a Major in charge of the Division of Scientific Services.
During his academic career, Professor Palmbach has developed methodologies to integrate the use of Forensic DNA analysis in the fight against human trafficking. His work includes several international projects, including work with foreign governments and NGO groups with training, assessment and planning, assistance with investigative efforts; countries include Costa Rica, Nepal, Poland, countries in Balkan region, and East Africa. Domestically, Palmbach has worked with local law enforcement agencies to integrate advanced analytic strategies and forensic analysis to assist in their investigative efforts against human trafficking. He is also a member of interdisciplinary team in CT, to develop best practices and provide training in areas involving trafficking in persons. Finally, he has published in this area including a Best Practice Guide, prepared in collaboration with RTI-Forensic Science Center of Excellence.
AIP greatly welcomes this partnership with CFITP as we work together to put an end to the exploitation of children through the internet.
Lena Walther holds dual citizenship, bearing both United States and Swedish passports. She is currently the Honorary Swedish Consul to Nevada, having been appointed to that position in 2006. Lena began her original career path in the Royal Swedish Ministry of Foreign Affairs in 1976 after completing studies abroad in Switzerland, England, and France. She has a BA in International Business Administration. She became an American citizen in 1984 in order to travel with her husband on foreign assignments bearing US Diplomatic passports.
Lena enjoys the knowledge of experiencing different cultures after living and working in 10 countries for extensive periods of time. She speaks seven languages. Lena now uses her expertise in International Business relations as a private Consultant. Lena is the President and Co-founder of the anti-Human Trafficking organization Awareness is Prevention, Inc. (AIP) formed in 2014. She became involved after intervening & rescuing two separate Swedish nationals held captive. She was able to expedite their escape through issuing emergency passports to take them back to Sweden. Lena has since taken some of the same courses that enforcement officers take and constantly studies the problem of trafficking internationally. She maintains excellent contacts with local and federal law enforcement agencies and is an active member of the Southern Nevada Human Trafficking Task Force.
Through giving talks, seminars and events she has spread awareness of the sex trafficking problem in Nevada. An immediate goal is to reach the vulnerable youth through a unique project called “Awareness through the Arts”. Children ranging from 12 through 20 would engage in multi-media talent contests with prizes ranging from scholarships, lessons, equipment or supplies in specific fields. The entrants must use themes on the dangers of Human Trafficking during the competition. Judges will be well-known professionals and personalities from the Las Vegas area. Lena Walther is also the president of the World Affairs Counsel in Las Vegas (waclv.com). As president of the World Affairs Counsel, Lena. Walter leads programs advocating the abolition of human trafficking for foreign delegations.
This year between March 13-21, she will be a host for, four separate groups of foreign delegates from seventeen countries, as they come to Las Vegas, Nevada to study new methodologies to prevent human trafficking. (Delegation Participants are from Algeria, Kuwait, Lebanon, Bolivia, Chile, Costa Rica, Cuba, Guatemala, Mexico, Panama, Peru, Uruguay, Bangladesh, Kazakhstan, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka.) Mrs. Walther has participated in several television appearances discussing human trafficking and how to prevent it. She is also frequently called on by magazines and news programs to discuss issues related to human trafficking.
In early 2014 Ken and his spouse, Lena, Co-founded “Awareness is Prevention, Inc” (AIP), a certified 501(c)3, in an effort to fight Human Trafficking, which includes both sex and labor trafficking. Ken Walther is a retired Foreign Service Officer with 27 years of Federal service. While mostly serving overseas he worked against international terrorism and narcotics targets. He served a total of 20 years working in foreign countries, including 3 years overseas with the military during the Vietnam era. He speaks 3 languages. After Federal retirement, the Walthers’ moved to Las Vegas in 1997 where they were active in opening small businesses.Having had decades of experience in working with Liaison Intelligence services contributes to coordinating and planning with local Law Enforcement agencies and Non-Governmental Groups, (NGO’s) Making AIP a significant entity in fighting human trafficking is a top priority for 2017. Ken has developed innovative ideas and relationships that will help in mitigating the spread of trafficking. Staying engaged within the community, working closely with law enforcement and AIP’s dedication to the cause will make it happen.