Montclair welcomes students and faculty from Austria to learn about human trafficking

Students and faculty from the University of Graz Law School in Austria visited Montclair State University for the third year in a row from October 27th-30th, as part of a Criminal and Public Law Perspectives class on Transnational Crime and Justice – Human Trafficking. Dr. Daniela Peterka-Benton, Director of the Global Center on Human Trafficking and a Professor in the Department of Justice Studies, served as the stateside partner for this transatlantic learning experience.

The group heard from experts about human trafficking as a national and international crime (Francesca LaGuardia, Department of Justice Studies and Debra Jones, International Organization for Adolescents), they met with survivors of trafficking and connected with Jasmine Ostrow, Atlantic County Prosecutor’s Office and Joseph Remy, National White-Collar Crime Center. Detective Sergeant Richard Hershey from the New Jersey State Police highlighted experiences and challenges with human trafficking cases. To illustrate the differences between the American and Austrian criminal justice system, the group also completed two field trips to the Essex Co. Criminal Court and Northern State Prison.

International student travel, such as this annual program with the University of Graz is important because it fosters personal growth, global awareness, and career readiness—all while enriching academic learning through real-world experience.