Date: Dec 10, 2012

Dr. Gregory Maney Attending White House Conference

Hofstra Sociology Professor Invited to White House Discussion of Human Trafficking Issues

Hofstra University, Hempstead, New York – Dr. Gregory Maney, Professor of Sociology and Co-Director of the Center for Civic Engagement at Hofstra University, was invited to the White House to participate in a federal working group on services for victims of human trafficking. 

The meeting, convened by the Department of Health and Human Services’ Administration for Children and Families, brings together a wide range of experts on human trafficking to explore the scope of problem in the U.S., examine services now available to victims, and identify next steps in research that can lead to improved services and support for victims. The group, which included representatives from the departments of Justice, State, Labor, Homeland Security and Education, among others, met at the White House on December 10, 2012.

This invitation follows the release of a groundbreaking community-based research project about human trafficking in the New York metropolitan area conducted by  Dr. Maney and his graduate students, along with LifeWay Network— a religious-based coalition that provides long-term, safe housing to trafficking survivors.  Through a survey of private service providers, coupled with key interviews with representatives of law enforcement agencies, funding and coordinating agencies, and service providers (public and private), the researchers sought to measure the extent of trafficking in the New York metropolitan area, the service needs of trafficking survivors, and the availability of these services. The findings reveal that the number of human trafficking victims in the area greatly exceeds official estimates. Moreover, several critical service needs of trafficking survivors are not being met, including the need for longer-term safe housing. Representatives of LifeWay Network and Dr. Maney unveiled the results of the study at a press conference at Hofstra’s University Club in November of 2011.

On behalf of all those who participated in the research project, Dr. Maney said: “We are very pleased that the Obama Administration is prioritizing the prevention of human trafficking, and drawing upon rigorous research to inform its policy responses. As a scholar, I want to make sure that my research not only raises awareness of serious human rights abuses, but also assists in the protection and promotion of human rights.”                   

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Hofstra University is a dynamic private institution of higher education where more than 11,000 full and part-time students choose from undergraduate and graduate offerings in liberal arts and sciences, business, engineering, applied science, communication, education, health sciences and human services, honors studies, the Maurice A. Deane School of Law and the Hofstra North Shore-LIJ School of Medicine.

Related Link: Coverage of Dr. Maney's Research