News

Actions

Rebecca Bender Initiative Gala to spread human trafficking awareness, honor heroes

Posted at 11:44 AM, Apr 29, 2017
and last updated 2017-04-30 14:23:09-04

Nearly two dozen survivors of human trafficking are making their way to Phoenix Saturday night to attend an event spreading awareness and honoring heroes of trafficking. 

The Rebecca Bender Initiative Gala is set to begin at 5 p.m. 

Bender, a nationally recognized leader and human trafficking survivor chose Phoenix as the first location to hold the gala in hopes of changing the way we see modern-day slavery and ending it for good. 

Tommy Barnett, the founder of the Phoenix Dream Center, is among the award winners expected at Saturday's event. Mesa Police Sgt. Domenick Kaufman and the Human Exploitation and Trafficking Squad are also set to be honored.