Judge Ukeiley Joins Panel on Domestic Violence and Human Trafficking

District Court Judge Stephen Ukeiley, presiding judge of Suffolk County’s Human Trafficking Court, will serve on the panel for a conference on Domestic Violence and Human Trafficking on Tuesday, October 14, 2014 at the Touro College Jacob D. Fuchsberg Law Center in Central Islip. The event is being presented by the Touro Law Women’s Bar Association, Family Law Society, AMICUS and the Suffolk County Women’s Bar Association.

“The panel will be promoting awareness of human trafficking and domestic violence, while informing students, the legal community and the public on what they can do to recognize and prevent these atrocities,” said Lauren Gallo, 3rd year law student and President of the Touro Law Women’s Bar Association.

“The Human Trafficking Court is addressing the exploitation and degradation of women by traffickers here in Suffolk County,” said Judge Ukeiley. “We further empower the victims by offering a pathway to a better life.”

Keynote speaker will be Nassau County District Attorney and Touro alumna, Kathleen Rice. Joining Ms. Rice and Judge Ukeiley are the following distinguished members of the Judiciary, law enforcement and victim advocacy, all of whom are dedicated to addressing and reducing the scourges of domestic violence and human trafficking in Suffolk County:

• Acting County/District Court Judge Chris Ann Kelley, Domestic Violence Part;
• Keri Herzog, Deputy Bureau Chief & Attorney in Charge of Domestic Violence Bureau, Office of the Suffolk County District Attorney;
• Stacey A. Skorupa, Senior Assistant District Attorney, Special Investigations Bureau, Office of the Suffolk County District Attorney;
• Laurette Mulry, Deputy Attorney-in-Charge, Legal Aid Society of Suffolk County;
• Jennifer Garcia-Hernandez, Assistant Executive Director of Brighter Tomorrows, Inc.

“The criminal court domestic violence part handles cases involving intimate partner violence and violent crimes between family members,” explained Judge Kelley. “The Part exists to oversee cases in order to enhance offender accountability and provide referrals to defendant’s and victims for services to both protect victims and attempt to stop violence.”

Dawn Brown, Executive Director of Brighter Tomorrows, a Long Island human service agency dedicated to empowering survivors of domestic violence through safe housing, supportive counseling and legal advocacy says her organization partnered with Suffolk County’s Human Trafficking Court in 2013. “Our clients experience the reality of human trafficking, each and every day, and we hope that educational events such as this will convey the severity and pervasiveness of this social injustice on Long Island and call our communities to action.”

The event is from 5:30 to 8:30 PM in the auditorium. Touro College Jacob D. Fuchsberg Law Center is located at 225 Eastview Drive in Central Islip. It is free and open to the public. Please RSVP to Ms. Gallo at lauren-gallo@tourolaw.edu.

(Judge Ukeiley, pictured above with the Women Economic Developers of Long Island, June 11, 2014, after swearing in their Board of Directors.)