Today’s youth are actively engaging with artificial intelligence (AI) in their everyday lives. From classrooms, creative spaces to social media feeds, children are thinking critically about what that means and asking meaningful questions about ethics, privacy, creativity, and power. Hear directly from youth as they share their honest perspectives, capturing not only the skepticism and excitement of emerging technologies…

Human trafficking affects people of every gender, background, and nationality, and it can occur in communities of all sizes across the country. Hospitality professionals—whether at the front desk, in housekeeping, or serving guests—are uniquely positioned to notice unusual activity through their everyday interactions. With the right training, resources, and support, staff become partners in recognizing potential warning signs and taking appropriate, responsible action.

After years of advocacy and tireless work by survivors, advocates, and a bipartisan group of lawmakers, the U.S. Senate has unanimously passed the Trafficking Survivors Relief Act, just weeks after the bill cleared the House of Representatives on a voice vote.  The bill (H.R. 4323) now awaits President Trump's signature to become law. 

When you think about where you’ve learned the most reliable information about safety, what comes to mind? The answer to that question is often not a formal institution, but from conversations, passing remarks and other shared experiences within your family or community. PACT often refers to using your “community as a resource.” But what does that look like?

In late November, the United Nations General Assembly, representing 193 countries, adopted a consensus declaration reaffirming its resolve to end human trafficking, which “constitutes a serious crime and a grave offense to human dignity…” The United States refused to sign the document, citing concerns that some references suggested a “one-world globalist approach.”

President Trump’s recent Executive Order, “Ensuring a National Policy Framework for Artificial Intelligence,” is a gift to Big Tech and an insult to parents, families, and states, which have been clamoring for the government to enact common-sense legislation, as tech companies continue to release largely untested, and sometimes dangerous, technologies into homes and schools nationwide.

Congress has overwhelmingly passed the bill to release the Epstein files. For far too long, survivors of Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell have spoken out, only to be met by institutional silence and inaction.

On September 29, the U.S. State Department released the 2025 Trafficking in Persons (TIP) Report. The annual report is the government’s principal tool for assessing sex trafficking and forced labor worldwide, and includes progress, challenges, and recommendations for more than 180 countries.

The first calls for action came from ECPAT International, who sounded the alarm about the horrific stories of children being sexually exploited overseas. What began as a call for awareness quickly evolved into a global movement consisting of advocates working together to strengthen systems that protect children around the world.

Last month, I was privileged to represent PACT at the White House bill signing ceremony for the Take It Down ACT. This groundbreaking law seeks to prevent online exploitation and abuse by imposing criminal penalties for those who distribute or threaten to distribute sexually explicit images without consent.

On Tuesday, June 10th, 2025, we gathered together for a sold-out 2025 Freedom Awards! We are grateful for the generosity of our sponsors and this community for making the event possible.

We were excited to sit down with 2025 Freedom Awards honoree, Artists Athletes Activists (AAA) to learn more about their grassroots organization and their commitment to serve vulnerable groups across New York City.

We have the great honor of partnering with Hard Rock and Seminole Gaming, the Presenting Sponsor of the 2025 Freedom Awards. In this interview, we speak with Paul Pellizzari, Vice President, Global Social Responsibility, at Hard Rock and Vice Chair of PACT’s Board of Directors.

We have the great honor of partnering with Hard Rock and Seminole Gaming, the Presenting Sponsor of the 2025 Freedom Awards. In this interview, we speak with Durante Blais-Billie, Social Responsibility Specialist, to learn of their advocacy for human trafficking prevention and Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women (MMIW).

We were excited to sit down with 2025 Freedom Awards honoree, David Peckinpaugh, on behalf of Maritz, to learn more about their commitment to implementing trafficking prevention into their business practices and support for organizations like PACT, on the frontline of their work.

Anora has garnered national attention, winning several awards it was nominated for at The Oscars, including Best Picture. Despite being praised for destigmatizing the commercial sex trade, it has glossed over the experiences of survivors of human trafficking. 

We were excited to sit down with Bekah Charleston to learn more about her work as a Survivor Advocate, what drives her to continue to do this work, and so much more. 

Safer Internet Day serves as an important reminder that staying informed about the evolving digital landscape is a responsibility that we all share. By understanding online risks, both children and parents can stay empowered, take control of their digital presence, and strengthen their own privacy.  

We are honored to have contributed to the content of a historic treaty. Having a seat at the table at the United Nations allows us to contribute to strengthening protections for children from sexual exploitation and trafficking.

Artists Athletes Activists (AAA) is a grassroots organization founded to address the widespread need for community support to vulnerable populations in New York City. Established in 2018 as a 501(c)3 non-profit, AAA works to ensure socio-economic disadvantages are not an obstacle to peoples’ sense of worth and belonging, and their ability to contribute to the community.

Bekah Charleston is a nationally recognized leader, public speaker, and advocate whose story of survival and triumph has been featured by NPR, USA Today, the New York Post, and more. After enduring a decade of exploitation, she dedicated her life to empowering survivors and fostering community collaboration. 

David Peckinpaugh started at Maritz in 2011 and became President & CEO in 2021. A 40+ year champion of the events industry, David provides strategic oversight for Maritz while ensuring the consistent design and delivery of engaging and inspiring program experiences that drive business results.