MENLO PARK, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--

On January 25-26 in Fremont, California, Freedom Summit 2013, will bring together civic, law enforcement and anti-trafficking organizations, community groups, churches, students and healthcare professionals interested in building a collective response to the problem of human trafficking and forced labor in the Bay Area.

Freedom Summit is the largest event of its kind in the United States, and there is growing urgency around its mission. On a global level, the sale of human beings is the third largest illicit trade, following drugs and weapons, but it is growing at the fastest rate1. California is among the nations top three states in terms of human trafficking activity2 and it generates the second highest volume of calls to the National Human Trafficking Hotline. San Francisco, Los Angeles and San Diego are among the top 10 U.S. cities in terms of child sex trafficking3. In the Bay Area, trafficking victims include domestic servants, sex slaves and forced laborers of all ages.

Along with keynote speakers, Freedom Summit 2013 will feature breakout sessions with more than 50 anti-trafficking organizations sharing best practices and resources for community education and engagement. Event highlights include screenings of new film documentaries. Among the event's sponsors are Google, Humanity United, Menlo Park Presbyterian Church, and Stanford University.

In her opening remarks, event host Betty Ann Boeving will shine a spotlight on the problem and the incredible progress that is being made by experts and everyday citizens alike. Ms. Boeving is founder and executive director of the Bay Area Anti-Trafficking Coalition, a 501c3 non-profit and the organizer of this biennial conference and expo.

Keynote Addresses: Justin Dillon, Founder and CEO, Slavery Footprint Nathan George, Founder, Trade As One Jaida Im, Founder and Executive Director, Freedom House Sean Litton, SVP of Field Operations, International Justice Mission Bradley Miles, Executive Director and CEO, Polaris Project Betty Ann Boeving, Founder and Executive Director, Bay Area Anti-Trafficking Coalition

TO THE MEDIA: To register, visit http://www.freedom-summit.org and use promo code "deleteslaveryPR" for your complimentary press pass.

FREEDOM MONTH: Three years ago, President Obama proclaimed January as National Slavery and Human Trafficking Prevention Month. Read his Presidential Proclamation. National Human Trafficking Awareness Day is January 11th.

CONTACTS: Betty Ann Boeving, Chair, Freedom Summit 2013; founder and Executive Director, Bay Area Anti-Trafficking Coalition (bettyann@baatc.org). Robin Shepherd, Freedom Summit 2013 volunteer (shepherdrobin7@gmail.com).

Visit http://www.baatc.org or follow us: facebook.com/baatc.org, Twitter @BaatcDotOrg Betty Ann Boeving Speaks at TEDx Event: http://vimeo.com/32157524 Freedom Summit 2013 Intro Video:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=81vy4Zwfh18&feature=youtu.be

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Freedom Summit 2013 Bay Area Groups Fighting Human Trafficking to Gather at Freedom Summit 2013