In the inaugural Next Steps Forward Symposium, host Chris Meek, founder of the forum , leads a solution-focused conversation with three distinguished experts: Kristy Wells, founder and CEO of the Safe House Project; Dr. Stephanie Powell, a human trafficking expert advisor for the National Center on Sexual Exploitation ; and Andy Berger, a survivor and founder of Voices Against Trafficking. This discussion pulls back the curtain on the $160 billion global human trafficking industry , challenging the myth that exploitation only happens in distant places. The panel examines the “hidden” nature of trafficking in local communities , the alarming role of technology and social media in targeting minors , and the urgent need for demand reduction through legislation. Beyond the statistics, the participants emphasize moving from awareness to action , discussing the necessity of survivor-centered restorative care and the profound hope found in the resilience of those who have reclaimed their lives.