Attorney General Austin Knudsen is set to host the 2025 Greater Rockies Immersive Training (GRIT) Conference in Bozeman, Montana from April 28 to 30. The event, organized in collaboration with Uprising, FYN Global, and the Wyoming Attorney General’s Office, aims to address rural challenges and devise strategies against human trafficking and exploitation.
The conference will feature presentations by survivors of human trafficking, practical training sessions, and networking opportunities. A highlight of the event is a “mock operation” on the final day that allows participants to apply their acquired skills under expert guidance.
The training targets professionals who assist sex and labor trafficking survivors, including law enforcement officers, prosecutors, educators, and social service workers. Members of the public involved with survivors or potential victims are also encouraged to register.
“I am pleased to partner with Uprising Wyoming to bring the GRIT conference to Montana this year. The training will undoubtedly give attendees more tools and expert guidance to fight human trafficking across the state and region. It will also build on our existing relationships with other states, advocates, and professionals as we work together across state lines to end modern-day slavery,” stated Attorney General Knudsen.
FYN Global founder and CEO Elizabeth Scaife highlighted the regional vulnerability due to limited resources: “Human trafficking has no borders… We designed GRIT with this challenge in mind.” She emphasized employing nationally recognized trainers for effective learning experiences.
Uprising Executive Director Terri Markham described the conference as an immersive experience aimed at equipping professionals with updated strategies against human trafficking: “By fostering collaboration among law enforcement… we are empowering those on the front lines.”
Keynote speaker Jenna McKaye will share her story of survival at the opening session. The conference agenda includes discussions on topics like “Leveraging OSINT (Open-Source Investigations),” “Community Based Solutions for Rural Trafficking,” and “Trauma-Informed Investigations.”
Attorney General Knudsen has been active in combating human trafficking during his tenure. His initiatives include legislation passed in 2023 that increased penalties for traffickers, launching educational curriculums like Enlightened for students in Montana schools, and hosting multiple symposiums focused on building comprehensive responses.
Uprising Wyoming is an anti-trafficking nonprofit emphasizing survivor voices and collaboration. Other partners supporting this conference include the Wyoming Division of Victim Services and Albany Advisory Council on Trafficking.
