Presented in collaboration with Grace Farms Foundation of New Canaan

As concerned global citizens, we’ve watched the stunning increase of human slave trafficking. Bringing this interconnected set of human tragedies into focus, learn from former federal prosecutor Ms. Krishna R. Patel. Now General Counsel and Director of Justice Initiatives at Grace Farms Foundation she unravels the complicated issues impacting our community, nation and international realities. Experts note that over 40 million people – or 1 in every 174 people alive on Earth – in 2016 was a victim of modern slavery, human trafficking, or forced and child labor. 71 percent of that estimated victim population were women and girls. Criminal profits proceeds are estimated to be over $150 billion dollars per year making it the second most profitable crime worldwide after narcotics trafficking. Our own consumption patterns are directly linked to slavery in the world. From the electronics we use, the garments we wear, the make-up we use, the seafood we eat, the chocolate we eat to the many other commodities that we utilize every day, there is slavery directly in the supply chain of these products. In our investigatory seminar and open ended discussions we come to understand how investors and consumers can play a valuable role in protecting vulnerable workers by pushing for transparency and engaging companies to improve policies and practices.

Krishna is an active strategist on initiatives to combat human trafficking on a global, national, and state level. In a distinguished legal career spanning more than two decades, she served in the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Connecticut from 2003 to 2015. Prior to joining Grace Farms Foundation Krishna served as the Deputy Chief of the National Security and Major Crimes Unit from 2010 to 2015.

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