About

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About Us

Through charitable outreach and community investment programs, HTAAG remains dedicated to helping young women and girls distinguish between healthy and unhealthy relationships, identify signs and situations that may place them at risk for sexual exploitation, recognize recruitment tactics used by traffickers, and know how to access resources for support if they are concerned about exploitation in their own or friend’s lives.

Any minor under the age of 18 who is induced to perform a commercial sex act is a victim of human trafficking according to U.S. law, regardless of whether there is force, fraud or coercion. Increasingly, criminal organizations, such as gangs, are luring children from local schools into commercial sexual exploitation or trafficking.

Mission

Human Trafficking Awareness and Advocacy Group Inc. (HTAAG), a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, is dedicated to transforming the lives of young women and girls. HTAAG focuses on education, empowerment, and advocacy by developing strategic partnerships with public and private organizations, parents and the community to enhance public awareness and ultimately combat Human Trafficking.

Vision

HTAAG strives to end Human Trafficking through prevention initiatives by providing effective, thoughtful solutions for young women and girls in at-risk populations and by advocating for survivors’ rights.

Programs

S.P.I.C.E. Girls is an after-school program created to instill Sisterhood, Perseverance, Integrity, Confidence and Empowerment in young girls who are in at-risk populations. This program fosters an environment where girls can thrive. We focus on enhancing self-esteem and confidence in our participants and building a partnership with parents. At completion of the program, participants are equipped with greater confidence and an enlightened outlook of their future.

We engage and mobilize the community to attend public awareness events about human sex trafficking. HTAAG Community Programs are designed to help prevent and end human trafficking by educating and empowering vulnerable at-risk youth.

We also offer empowerment programs for youth such as:

Summer reading initiative

To motivate youth to read for pleasure.
To help youth maintain their reading skills while on summer vacation.
To provide experiences that show reading as an integral part of life, not just a skill that is needed in school.

Youth Mentorship Program

To promote healthier relationships and lifestyle choices.
To improve interpersonal skills.
To establish more trusting relationships and better communication with their parents.

Back Pack and school supply give-away

To encourage a better attitude about school.
To encourage a better attitude about school.
To promote the self-esteem.
To build interest in academic success.

Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) Club

To strengthen positive social attitudes and peer relationships.
To foster an interest in STEM learning opportunities and careers.
To promote higher educational aspirations.

HTAAG delivers various inspiring educational Human Trafficking workshops to fit the needs of the community. The goal of each workshop is to increase adult and youth awareness around the risks of commercial sexual exploitation and labor trafficking. Our workshops cover an introduction to the issue of human trafficking with a goal of educating the community about the reality of this crime and how they can help fight Human Trafficking. The curriculum includes basic terminology, social media literacy, causes and indicators of Human Trafficking, a look at who is involved in trafficking, red flags for possible trafficking scenarios, and action steps for how to get involved. We also promote resources and services available for adult and children at-risk of exploitation.

Human Trafficking 101 Awareness

The primary focus of this workshop is to provide participants with practice scenarios where they must decide if and when to report suspected cases of human trafficking. The workshop will acquaint the participant with how to engage teens about human trafficking, how to watch out for predators and identify youth that may be at risk of being trafficked.

Parent Workshops

The Parent Workshop focuses on the complexities to addressing human trafficking in a collaborative community model. This workshop also provides a Parental Toolkit, consisting of real-life tools and strategies.

Treasure Yourself

This Workshop is primarily for underserved girls, ages 10 to 16. We ensure an empowering, safe, hands-on environment where girls can build projects, develop a vision for their future and learn age-appropriate Human Trafficking facts to keep them safe in our communities. The Treasure Yourself Workshop includes an Art component.

Our Team

Dana Davis

FOUNDER AND EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Dana Rachel Davis, Esquire is a passionate advocate for young women and girls. She is the Founder and Executive Director of Human Trafficking Awareness and Advocacy Group Inc., a 501 (c) (3) nonprofit organization working to end human trafficking. Ms. Davis has worked as an Assistant Public Defender in the Office of the Public Defender in Prince George’s County, Maryland where she witnessed first-hand young women charged with crimes they were forced to commit by their traffickers, such as prostitution, theft and assault. She also represented vulnerable women from the YWCA of Annapolis and Anne Arundel County, the Batter Women Program. Ms. Davis holds a Bachelor’s of Business Administration from Howard University and a Juris Doctor from Catholic University, Columbus School of Law. Ms. Davis is barred to practice law in Maryland. She is currently a member of the DC Human Trafficking Taskforce, the Prince George’s County Human Trafficking Taskforce and the National Bar Association, Human Trafficking Committee.

Ms. Davis believes as a community we can stop Human Trafficking before it starts, shifting more focus on public awareness.

Aniyah Liggins

DIRECTOR OF COMMUNITY PROGRAMS

Aniyah Liggins earned her Bachelor’s degree from Towson University and is currently pursuing a Master’s of Science in Non-Profit Management from University of Maryland University College. Ms. Liggins is an active servant leader in Outreach and Youth at her church home, High Calling Ministries. She currently works as a Contractor at the Internal Revenue Services in Washington, DC. In addition, Ms. Liggins is the Director of Community Programs at the Human Trafficking Awareness and Advocacy Group (HTAAG). Ms. Liggins has been critical to the success of HTAAG in raising awareness of Human Trafficking with Community Youth.

Aniyah would describe herself as energetic, determined, and motivated. Her main goal in life is to help others make a strong impact on the community through strategic program development.

Our Board Members

Dana R. Davis, Esq.

PRESIDENT AND FOUNDER

Attorney,
Former Assistant Public Defender
Prince George's County

Byron Franklin

MEMBER

Adjunct Professor of Law
University of Baltimore School of Law
Baltimore, MD

Sheldon A. Smith, Esq

SECRETARY

Immigration Attorney
Washington DC

Alpha Bah, Esq