Victims of Trafficking (VOT) Florida Department of Health Division of Community Health Promotion Bureau of Family Health Services Refugee Health Program 12/20/2015

Learning Objectives Define human trafficking Describe the state and local benefits and services available to victims of trafficking Explain the role of the Refugee Health Program process related to victims of trafficking Explain services and benefits available through the program Identify resources 2

Overview  Human trafficking, also known as trafficking in persons, is a form of modern-day slavery in which traffickers lure individuals with false promises of employment and a better life.  Traffickers often take advantage of poor, unemployed individuals who lack access to social services.  Human trafficking is the fastest growing form of international crime and the second largest source of income for organized crime, surpassing even the drug trade. Although the name suggests it, human trafficking doesn’t necessarily involve transporting victims.  People can be trafficked on the same street they grew up on. 3

Elements of Human Trafficking Recruitment Transport Transfer Harboring Receipt of persons ACTMEANS Threat or use of force Coercion Abduction Fraud Deception Abuse of power or vulnerability Giving payments of benefits PURPOSE Exploitation including, Prostitution of others Sexual exploitation Forced labor Slavery or similar practices Removal of organs Other types of exploitation + + = TRAFFICKING 4

Why People Trafficked Prostitution Exotic dancing Agricultural work Landscape work Domestic work and child care (“domestic servitude”) Factory work Personal sexual exploitation Begging/street peddling Restaurant work Construction work Carnival work Hotel housekeeping Criminal activities Day labor 5

The Traffickers ► Traffickers lure and ensnare people into forced labor and sex trafficking by manipulating and exploiting their vulnerabilities. ►Human traffickers recruit, transport, harbor, obtain, and exploit victims – often using force, threats, lies, or other psychological coercion. ►Traffickers promise a high-paying job, a loving relationship, or new and exciting opportunities. In other cases, they may kidnap victims or use physical violence to control them. Often the traffickers and their victims share the same national, ethnic, or cultural background 6

Trafficking Victims Protection Act of 2000  The Trafficking Victims Protection Act of 2000 is a federal law that makes adult victims of trafficking, who have been certified by the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), eligible for benefits and services to the same extent as refugees.  Victims of trafficking who are under 18 years of age are also eligible for benefits to the same extent as refugees, but do not need to receive certification from HHS.  Victims of trafficking eligibility for refugee services begins on the date of the certification or designation letter from HHS, Administration for Children & Families, or Office of Refugee Resettlement. 7

Benefits & Services  Refugee cash and medical assistance benefits are available for a maximum of eight months following arrival to the United States to needy refugees or certified VOT who are not eligible for other cash or medical assistance programs such as Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF) or Medicaid.  This refugee assistance is paid entirely from federal funds through the Department of Children and Families’ existing FLORIDA system within the ACCESS/Economic Self-Sufficiency program structure. 8

Support services are provided through contracts with nonprofit organizations, local government agencies and private entities to assist refugees and entrants who meet the goal of economic self-sufficiency and successful integration. Additional Benefits & Services 9

Employment Services Adult and Vocational Education Employability Status Assistance (Legal) Services Child Care Crime Prevention Integration Assistance Youth Services Primary Health Care Services Epilepsy Case Management Eligibility Training Interpreter Services Health Screenings Services for victims of trafficking are contracted within the state’s regulations governing the acquisition of services, including competitive bidding requirements. Current services include: Additional Benefits & Services Continued 10

Human Trafficking Indicators While not an exhaustive list, these are some key red flags that could alert to a potential trafficking situation that should be reported: Living with employer Poor living conditions Multiple people in cramped space Inability to speak to individual alone Answers appear to be scripted and rehearsed Employer is holding identity documents Signs of physical abuse Submissive or fearful Unpaid or paid very little Under 18 and in prostitution 11

Local health department staff in a variety of clinics may see VOTs before they have been rescued from their trafficker(s). You can help trafficking victims get the assistance they need by looking beneath the surface for the following clues: Evidence of being controlled Evidence of an inability to move or leave job Bruises or other signs of battering. Fear or depression Non-English speaking Recently brought to this country from Eastern Europe, Asia, part of Latin America, Carribean, Canada, Africa, or India Lack of passport, immigration, or identification documentation Human Trafficking (in the clinical setting) 12

Refugee Health Program VOT Process The Refugee Health Program central office receives notifications from the Office of Refugee Resettlement for adults who have been certified, or children who have been designated, as a VOT. The certification or designation letter contains the VOT’s name and their sponsor’s contact information. The notifications are sent via encrypted to the local health department in the county identified in the sponsor’s contact information. The VOT does not always reside in the same county as the sponsor. When contacting the sponsor to arrange a health assessment, if you find that the VOT resides in another county and wishes to receive services there, please contact the Refugee Health Program in the residing county and forward the notification to them. 13

Victims of Trafficking by Country of Origin, Victims of human trafficking can come from any city or country in the world. No place or people are immune. 14

 The Florida Refugee Health Program received at least 121 victims of trafficking from , with Haiti ranking as the top country of origin for human trafficking victim’s.  Traffickers often prey on the vulnerabilities of people who are poor, uneducated, neglected, unemployed, victims of sexual abuse, or from unstable home lives.  Immigrants or refugees are particularly at risk, but other people can be exploited as well. 15 Victims of Trafficking by Country of Origin (Continued)

Victims of Trafficking by Resettlement Counties,

Victims of Trafficking by Age & Gender  Most human trafficking victims are 18 and older.  Children represent approximately 12% of the trafficked victims. 17

Where to Get Help National Human Trafficking Resource Center (NHTRC) ( ) 911 Emergency Submit Information Electronically U.S. Department of Justice Worker Exploitation Complaint Line Call the U.S. Department of Justice’s dedicated human trafficking toll-free complaint line at (weekdays, 9 am - 5 pm EST) to report suspected instances of human trafficking or worker exploitation or contact the FBI field office nearest you. Report Human Trafficking 18

Resources United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime Do Something.ORG Office of Refugee Resettlement Florida Department of Children And Families 19