Introduction to Human Trafficking Presented by Pamela J. Pillsbury
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What is Human Trafficking?
After drug trafficking, human trafficking is the second largest criminal industry in the world, and it is the fastest growing. Dept. of Health and Human Services
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An estimated 12.3 million victims of forced labor in the world today Generates over 20 billion dollars every year. 2008, TIP Report
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The Trafficking Of Victims Protection Reauthorization Act of 2008(TVPRA) defines severe forms of human trafficking.
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The AMP Model Action
Means
Purpose
Induces
Force
Commercial Sex Acts
Recruits
Fraud
Labor or Services
Harbors
Coercion
Transports Provides Obtains
Force, Fraud and Coercion are not require for minors under the age of 18 induced into commercial sex acts
It is estimated that between 14,500 and 17,500 persons are being brought annually into the United States for various avenues of exploitation including involuntary servitude and forced prostitution. Data does not include the millions of individuals who are trafficked within their own country.
U.S. State Department
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The number of U.S. citizens trafficked within the country each year is even higher with an estimated 200,000 American children at risk for trafficking in the sex industry. (usimmigrationlawyers.com)
In 2007, 400 children were sexually exploited as child prostitutes in Las Vegas in ONE month. (http://ag.state.nv.us/victims/comm/Victims%20of%20Crime%20draft%20minutes%202%201 0%2010%20FINAL.pdf)
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Elements of human trafficking vs. human smuggling Human Trafficking
Human Smuggling
No consent Force, fraud, or coercion
Consent
Transnational travel not necessary
Crossing a national border
Ongoing exploitation of victims
Relationship between migrant and smuggler usually ends
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Labor Trafficking Domestic servitude
Janitorial services
Agricultural labor
Food service industry Dishwashers, busboys, servers, cashiers Begging
Sweatshop labor
Nail Salons 10
Labor Example Ukrainian Nationals
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The Traffickers • • • •
Pimps posing as boyfriend /“daddy” Family members Business-owners Subcontractors of Human Trafficking victim laborers undersell legitimate labor subcontractors. • Organized crime
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Sex Trafficking • • • • • • •
Brothels Street Work In-side Prostitution Dancers Massage Parlors Pornography Spas
“The United States seems unwilling to recognize that the vast majority of victims of sex trafficking are not foreigners but girls from next door.” -Julian Sher Somebody’s Daughter
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Misconceptions of Prostitution • • • •
85-95% of prostitution is pimped-controlled Average age of entry is 12-13 Drug addiction is a result of prostitution 90% have been sexually abused as a child (http://g.virbcdn.com/_f/files/43/FileItem-150151-AM_Prostitution.pdf)
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Sex Trafficking Examples Reading, PA June 2008-2010 • Paul S. Sewell, 46, pleaded guilty before Judge C. Darnell Jones II to sex trafficking girls, ages 14 to 17, and women, and possessing child pornography. • Called himself “god” • Ronald Miko, former police officer from Reading, has been charged in connection to sex trafficking ring February 2012
Sex Trafficking Examples Whitehall, PA March, 2012 18 year old girl from Johnstown flagged down police stating she was held against her will in prostitution. Jason Thomas, 32, was arrested. Allentown, PA April, 2012 Vincent C. George, Jr & Sr., Father & son arrested for sex trafficking coming back from New York state.
First Convictions of Human Trafficking in PA
. Deryck Alston, 41, and Amanda Scott, 26, both of Collingdale, each pleaded guilty to trafficking of persons and related crimes for pimping an underage female in online advertisements.
The economics of human trafficking
Supply
Demand
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Where are they from?
Why should we be concerned? In 2011 7,208 prosecutions in the U.S. 4, 239 convictions 41,210 victims identified There are an estimated 14,500 and 17,500 persons, NOT including domestic victims and 200,000-300,000 American children at-risk
The numbers do not match up! 20
How can communities help??? • Educate others • Speak-out against myths that work to excuse using women and youth for sexual purposes, i.e. “they enjoy it, they need the money so I’m helping,”etc. • Speak out about behaviors that supports marginalizing people from other countries. • Report suspicions • Support victims by not using them sexually and not funding traffickers • Support victims of labor trafficking by noticing them, asking questions, being aware of possible signs of trafficking.
Important Resources Immediate Danger: Call 911 or local law enforcement Stefanie Fritzges, Homeland Security: 215-768-5722 Angel Hernandez, SA, FBI PA Division/Allentown RA, 610-782-8203 or 1 800-the LOST National Center for Missing and Exploited Children’s (NCMEC) hotline at 1-800-THE-LOST
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The National Human Trafficking Resource Center Hotline (NHTRC)
1-877-3737-888 23
VAST (The Valley Against Sex Trafficking) Coalition • Bi-monthly Coalition Meetings • Unified response includes prevention, awareness, action & aftercare efforts www.thevast.org To sign up for email updates:
[email protected]
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Pam Pillsbury
[email protected]