6th Annual Human Trafficking Summit – Amazing Stories Of Strength

This I know, from getting the chance to meet Stacy and Laura, MOST people here in Bismarck have no clue about human trafficking.

I first met Stacy Schaffer and Laura Bucholz about 3 years ago. These two do amazing work in the mysterious, frightening field of human trafficking. Your next question is not out of the ordinary - "What exactly is Human Trafficking?" 

"Human trafficking involves the use of force, fraud, or coercion to obtain some type of labor or commercial sex act. Every year, millions of men, women, and children are trafficked worldwide – including right here in the United States. It can happen in any community and victims can be any age, race, gender, or nationality" according to dhs.gov

31:8 Project was founded in 2015 by their Executive Director, Stacy Schaffer, with a mission to raise awareness about human trafficking. What began as a grassroots effort focused on education has grown into a multifaceted organization, now offering programs like Survivor Mentorship and Bravery Backpacks, while continuing to equip communities with the knowledge and tools to respond to trafficking.

In 2021, 31:8 Project launched its annual Bakken Human Trafficking Summit, bringing education and collaboration directly to communities by hosting the event in a new location each year: Williston, Watford City, Dickinson, and Minot respectively. In 2025, the Bakken Human Trafficking Summit was held in Bismarck for the first time. In 2026, after dropping the "Bakken", we are proud to return to Bismarck for our 6th annual Human Trafficking Summit on May 19th and 20th at St. Mary's Central High School. We look forward to continuing our efforts in building awareness on this prevalent crime and strengthen partnerships across the region.

Some keynote speakers will be there - offering their experiences.

 May 19-20th  - St. Mary's Central High School

Human trafficking is real, and it happens in North Dakota. The professionals, agencies, and community members responding to this crisis face complex challenges: educating the public, apprehending offenders, supporting survivors, and advancing prevention. The 6th Annual 31:8 Project Human Trafficking Summit convenes experts and frontline voices to share knowledge, practical strategies, and pathways for coordinated action.

For more information, and where to go to donate, and buy your tickets for this event - head to https://www.318project.org/

Check out some of the wonderful things Laura does -

Laura Buchholz, Admin. Assistant/Bravery Backpack Coord.

"Over my 4 years with 31:8 Project as the Administrative Assistant and Bravery Backpack Coordinator, I have gotten to see just how powerful education and working together can be in fighting human trafficking. What I enjoy most is helping bring more awareness to the issue and supporting the people doing this work every day. It’s the kind of work that keeps you learning, keeps you motivated, and reminds you why it all matters.

Bravery Backpack Program

The Bravery Backpack program started in 2019 as a simple way to show up for youth going through really tough situations. We provide backpacks filled with comfort items and everyday essentials to partnering agencies who give them directly to the youth they’re working with. Since its inception, 31:8 Project has handed out over 3,500 Bravery Backpacks, with more than 1,000 being distributed solely in 2025. Our mission with this program is to remind young people that they are seen, supported, and not alone"