HUMAN TRAFFICKING 101 THE FACTS AND FIGURES FOR WI AND WHAT WE CAN DO ABOUT IT
WHAT IS HUMAN TRAFFICKING? Human trafficking: • The use of force, fraud, or coercion to obtain some type of labor or commercial sex act. Sex trafficking: • “For-profit” sex act that is induced by force, fraud or coercion. Child prostitution is equivalent to trafficking under the law according to Wisconsin Statute § 948.051: Trafficking of a Child Definitions from: Wisconsin Human Trafficking Committee and Wisconsin Office of Justice Assistance. (January 2012). Wisconsin Human Trafficking Protocol and Resource Manual
IDENTIFYING HUMAN TRAFFICKING… Process
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Way/Means
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Goal
Recruitment or Transportation or Transferring or Harboring or Receiving
A N D
Threat or Coercion or Abduction or Fraud or Deceit or Deception or Abuse of Power
A N D
Prostitution or Pornography or Violence/Sexual Exploitation or Forced Labor or Involuntary Servitude or Debt Bondage (with unfair wages) or Slavery/Similar practices
US Department of State. Trafficking in Persons Report. OFFICE TO MONITOR AND COMBAT TRAFFICKING IN PERSONS. June 4, 2008.
TRAFFICKING IN WISCONSIN • The Wisconsin Office of Justice Assistance reports that trafficking has been documented in more than half of all Wisconsin counties, in both rural and urban areas • To date, more than 200 victims have been identified • Since 2000, about one in six victims reported in Wisconsin was a minor
“Trafficking in Wisconsin.” Wisconsin Office of Justice Assistance. http://www.doj.state.wi.us/office-justice-assistance
CURRENT LEGISLATION 2013 Wisconsin Act 362 was signed into law on April 23, 2014 • Removes the need to prove human trafficking victims did not consent to actions a trafficker forced them to take • Expands the forms of force, fraud or coercion that constitute human trafficking acts • Provides a path for victims to expunge prostitution convictions they received for actions taken while under the control of a trafficker • Expands the terms under which any person receiving from a person engaged in prostitution or debt bondage is guilty of a Class F felony “2013 Wisconsin Act 362 Signed In Law April 23.” Wisconsin Legislative Update. Slave Free Madison. May 5, 2014. http://slavefreemadison.squarespace.com/news/2014/5/5/2013-wisconsin-act-362-signed-in-law-april-23.html
NEXT STEPS We have made important progress with the passing of this law but there is still much to be done. ACTION NEEDED: • To educate the community and ensure fair sentencing for victims of sex trafficking • To support service providers in giving appropriate care to survivors of sex trafficking
SAFE HARBOR MODEL Legal Protection: • Children are treated as victims of sex trafficking rather than criminals • Provides immunity from prosecution for certain types of offenses or an established diversion program that affords a means for charges to be dismissed if the child completes a specialized services program.
Provision of Services: • Medical and psychological treatment, emergency and longterm housing, education assistance, job training, language assistance, and legal services are made available to victims Sex Trafficking of Minors and "Safe Harbor“. The Polaris Project. http://www.polarisproject.org/what-wedo/policy-advocacy/assisting-victims/safe-harbor
MINNESOTA’S SAFE HARBOR LAW Minnesota’s Safe Harbor Law was passed in 2011 with final implementation effective August 1, 2014. Five key changes under the law: 1. Added the definition of sexually exploited youth in Minnesota’s child protection codes 2. Increased the penalties against commercial sex abusers or purchasers 3. Directed the Commissioner of Public Safety to work with stakeholders to create a victim-centered, statewide response for sexually exploited youth 4. Excluded sexually exploited youth under 18 from the definition of delinquent child. 5. Implementing state service model called No Wrong Door
EDUCATION EFFORTS Protocol Development • Ramsey County Attorney’s Office (RCAO) is developing a model multidisciplinary protocol for identifying and intervening with trafficked youth • The model, expected in fall 2015, will consist of tools, checklists, and other resources to help individual communities develop their own protocol.
Training and Conferences • Ramsey County Attorney’s Office is also leading the statewide training of law enforcement personnel and county attorneys on Safe Harbor and best practices for identifying and intervening with youth and traffickers “Safe Harbor Minnesota.” Minnesota Department of Health. ttp://www.health.state.mn.us/injury/topic/safeharbor/
SUPPORT FOR VICTIMS No Wrong Door: a comprehensive, multidisciplinary, and multi-state agency approach. • Will ensure communities across Minnesota have the knowledge, skills and resources to effectively identify sexually exploited and at-risk youth. • Youth will be provided victim-centered trauma-informed services and safe housing. • Establishes Regional Navigators “Safe Harbor Minnesota.” Minnesota Department of Health. ttp://www.health.state.mn.us/injury/topic/safeharbor/
SAFE HARBOR FOR WI How can we move forward in making Wisconsin a Safe Harbor State? •
Guarantee a consistent sentencing model that treats sexually exploited youth as victims, not criminals
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Establish a system of Regional Navigators to best serve sexually exploited youth
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Educate law enforcement personnel, county attorneys, child protection workers, medical personnel and community members to best help sexually exploited youth
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Ensure the availability of services for youth rehabilitation
THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT! Lutheran Office for Public Policy in Wisconsin 909 Landmark Place, Suite 202 Madison, WI 53713
Phone: 608-270-0201 Email:
[email protected]
