Understanding and Confronting Human Trafficking
January 30, 2026, 9am - 11am
Register Here
Human trafficking happens in our communities, including here in Kane County, and awareness is one of the most effective tools for prevention and response. This free, introductory presentation is open to the public and designed for community members, mental health professionals, service providers, educators, and anyone who wants to better understand how trafficking occurs and how to help.
Participants will learn how human trafficking is defined under the law and explore the different forms it can take, including commercial sex trafficking and labor trafficking. The presentation will cover common myths and misconceptions, populations most vulnerable to trafficking, warning signs to look for, and the tactics traffickers use to exploit victims. Attendees will also gain an overview of how trafficking is identified and investigated, along with local and regional resources available to support victims in Kane County.
By the end of this session, participants will be able to:
- Understand the legal definition of human trafficking
- Recognize signs and indicators of trafficking
- Learn how and where to refer potential victims for services and law enforcement support
Speaker Bio
Christine Bayer is an Assistant State’s Attorney and Director of the Human Exploitation Unit for the Kane County State’s Attorney’s Office, where she has served since 1997. She assists State’s Attorney Jaime Mosser in managing the office and works with the Priority Prosecution Team on homicide, trafficking, and other special victim cases. Her prior roles include lead attorney for the Sexual Assault/Human Trafficking Division, Child Advocacy Center, Juvenile Delinquency Division, Domestic Violence Unit, and Special Prosecution Unit, as well as first chair in a felony courtroom.
She is also an adjunct professor at Judson University, teaching Intro to Child Advocacy and Criminal Procedure. Christine holds a B.S. in Education and Social Policy from Northwestern University and a J.D., cum laude, from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.
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