The Faces of Human Trafficking Workshop for Community of Christ

The Slave Trade: Is it Over? 1562: First English slaving expedition Over 12 million African slaves trafficked over 400 years People forced, deceived, and sold into exploitation

18 TH – 19 TH Century Abolitionists Increasing concern in the late 18 th century Former slaves e.g. Olaudah Equiano Church leaders e.g. Thomas Clarkson Female reformers e.g. Hannah More Parliamentarians e.g. William Wilberforce Are you an abolitionist? Should you be?

What is Human Trafficking? Modern day slavery Exploitation of persons for commercial sex or forced labor Does not require moving a victim Force, fraud, or coercion used to control victims

Forms of Modern Day Slavery Debt bondage: trapped in loans and repayment to survive Descent slavery: born into discriminated group Domestic servitude: hidden abuse of workers Forced child labor: arms, drugs, sex, work, begging, religious sacrifices, fraud These forms of slavery are not illegal in all countries

People Trafficking People taken by deception or violence for exploitation Fastest growing form of global organised crime The second largest source of income for organised crime Every country either a source, transit, or destination for trafficking

The Faces of Human Trafficking Victims: anyone, anywhere can be a victim

Scope of the Problem Worldwide  600,000 to 800,000 victims trafficked annually across international borders  Estimated 80% of victims women and girls  27 million people in slavery around the world  $9 billion business *After drug dealing, human trafficking is tied with illegal arms trade as the 2 nd largest criminal industry in the world and the fastest growing.

United States  18,000 to 20,000 victims are trafficked annually into the United States  750,000 women were trafficked into the US in the last decade  300,000 to 400,000 children are victims of the sex trade Scope of the Problem

Trafficking: How it Works Individuals told false promises Some children sold by parents Easier to smuggle people than drugs or weapons Mafias or loosely organized crime networks Hidden in ethnic enclaves and cultural taboos People are reusable and resalable

Forms of Recruitment Smuggling networks Employment agencies Maid/ housekeeping/nanny schemes Mail order bride services Internet schemes False modeling agencies Befriending and/or seduction Illegal foreign adoption agencies

Endless Supply of Victims: Due to global economy, there is a constant supply of victims Victims are a dispensable commodity, readily replaceable Allure:  The promise of a better life  Needed income to support a family, to provide medical care for siblings, to be able to survive

Why People are Trafficked  Domestic Servitude  Sex Work  Forced Prostitution  Marriages/Surrogacy  Factory Work  Begging  International Adoptions  Agricultural Work  Criminal Activity  Restaurant Work  Construction  Hotel/ Motel Housekeeping  Other Informal Labor Sectors

Domestic Trafficking In any given country, domestic victims can also be enslaved Runaways, homeless, mentally ill, mentally handicapped, and migrants are most vulnerable Access to services may differ, laws protecting may differ

Victims May be Smuggled or May Pay for Entry to Another Country Crime against a person Contains an element of coercion, force or fraud Subsequent exploitation and/or forced labor Trafficked person is a victim Trafficking

Human Trafficking: Key Components in the US Law Mode of Operation  Force  Fraud  Coercion

3 Elements Necessary to Meet Trafficking Definition in the US Process/Action Particular Means Particular End Recruiting OR Harboring OR Moving OR Obtaining a person, by Force OR Fraud Or Coercion for the purpose of Involuntary Servitude OR Debt Bondage OR Slavery OR Sexual Exploitation

Vulnerability Destitute Little/no education Homeless or runaways Prior victims of domestic violence or sexual assault and abuse

Psychology of Control Isolation Dependency Fear Instilled Abuse Shame Culture

Controlled Movement and Lives Victims may live under complete control from fear All or much of their movement is controlled Some victims are provided with occasional “parties” where, for instance, they may have access to other victims for prostitution Some chained, others video monitored, locked up This victim was transported in a glove box

Victim Mindset Limited or no language skills in current country, literacy Unfamiliar with culture and systems Confined, isolated, at risk Fearful and/or distrustful of authority Unaware that they are a victim May develop loyalty to trafficker Unaware of where they are Fear for safety of family

Victims Can’t Rescue Themselves We must be alert to possible victims and be ready to call a hotline to get a situation investigated Where? Migrant or immigrant communities Areas known for prostitution Law enforcement Clinics/doctor’s offices Restaurants Hotels Your own neighborhood

How to Recognize a Victim Not free to leave job Can’t come and go freely Have been threatened with harm or harmed Has had family threatened Live with employer In debt to employer Do not have possession of own papers

Group Exercise 1 Break into small groups of 5 – 6 people Have you ever questioned whether someone was a victim? What did you do? Knowing what you know now, what do you think are the signs you would notice? Remembering that victims might be anywhere, where do you think victims might be found in your community? Be prepared to report your discussion to the whole group.

Needs of Victims Immediate safety Support to live  Housing, food, medical, safety and security, language interpretation and legal services Support to be restored to their own lives  Health and mental health care, addiction services, income security, legal status

Human Trafficking Victims are not Criminals: They Have Legal Rights Safety Privacy Interpretation Information Legal Representation Right to be heard in court Civil compensation Medical assistance Immigration relief Repatriation Case Management

Group Exercise 2 Use some kind of paper to capture ideas  Give large sticky notes or big poster paper to each group Assign a group leader and reporter What are your ideas for getting involved as modern abolitionists? What would you like to do?  Together with other groups  As a congregation What is the next step?

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