Human Trafficking Research Lab @Millikin

I was really upset about USAID proposed to Ukraine and counter trafficking programs around the world. Even though I am swamped trying to finish my second book I took some time to write up an article on this cuts and the effect that they will have on combatting human trafficking during Russia's war on Ukraine. SlaveFree Today agreed to publish the article and you can read it here on their blog " USAID Proposed Cuts Detrimental to Combatting Human Trafficking Around the World ." I am thankful for the opportunity to raise awareness to these cuts and publish my thoughts based on my personal experience working with and seeing the effects of these programs in many sources countries for trafficking. 

Being on the radio and then immediately on the news was an interesting experience, one that pushed me out of my comfort zone. Public speaking has never been my favorite thing, so knowing that my words were being broadcasted in real-time on the radio to being pre-recorded for a televised news channel formed an intense layer of pressure over. On the one hand I did not have to see the audience, which tremendously helped ease my nerves. The experience pushed me outside my comfort zone and allowed me to engage in something bigger than myself. Despite my anxiety of public speaking, I felt grateful for the opportunity to be a voice with a message heard by hundreds. It’s one of those experiences that reminds me why I’m passionate about the work I do because even if public speaking isn’t my strongest suit, the message and the impact are what really matter.  You can watch the interview on WAND  here . Akeila McNeal

We recently found out that the Human Trafficking Research Lab at Millikin was nominated for a 2025 Liberator Award by the SOAP (Save Our Adolescents from Prostitution) Project in the student organization category.  The Liberator Awards were created by The SOAP Project to unite people from around the country who are working to combat human trafficking. The SOAP Project is an anti-trafficking non-profit organization whose mission is to end human trafficking by mobilizing communities, providing prevention, education, and advocacy, and facilitating restorative experiences for survivors. The award was named after William Lloyd Garrison, a prominent American abolitionist and editor of the first abolitionist newspaper, The Liberator.  The Human Trafficking Research Lab is deeply honored to be nominated for the Liberator Award in 2025. This award highlights and acknowledges leading abolitionists across the United States, and the student research assistants in the HTRL and I are proud ...

The student newspaper at Millikin The Decaturian came to cover our panel discussion this year and wrote an article entitled  "Human Trafficking Discussion Provides Crucial Insight From Law Enforcement Perspective." We are thankful that they came to the event and provided such an in-depth article on the panel discussion. You can read the article here .