Identifying, Serving, and Housing Survivors of Human Trafficking. Megan Mahoney Director, Northern Tier Anti-Trafficking Consortium (NTAC)

Transcription

1 Identifying, Serving, and Housing Survivors of Human Trafficking Megan Mahoney Director, Northern Tier Anti-Trafficking Consortium (NTAC)

2 Agenda Human Trafficking 101 Case Study Tools to Identify Survivors Call to Action: Survivors Need Safe Housing Options! Q & A

3 We believe that housing, healthcare, jobs, and justice are the way out of poverty.

4 National Human Trafficking Victim Assistance Program (NHTVAP) U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR) Heartland Alliance Northern Tier Anti-Trafficking Consortium (NTAC) Tapestri USCRI

5 We work to ensure that every survivor of modern-day slavery: has access to a specialized anti-trafficking case manager regardless of his or her location, gender, or legal status; has quality, affordable representation for his or her immigration or other legal needs; has a choice of safe, affordable housing options; has access to physical and mental health services; has access to the training they need to be competitive in the job market and meet their goals for themselves and their families; and understands his or her human rights and the rights guaranteed under US law. PROTECTION. CHOICE. OPPORTUNITY.

6 Who are we serving? Since 2011, NHTVAP has served 2151 survivors and 833 of their family members. The average age of survivors served is 36, With 77 being the oldest and 11 being the youngest. Type of Trafficking Labor Sex Both 67% 25% 8% Gender Female Male Transgender 53% 47% <1%

7 What is human trafficking? Human trafficking is modern-day slavery. Individuals who are compelled by force, fraud and/or coercion to provide labor and/or commercial sex are victims of human trafficking.

8 FORCE, FRAUD, & COERCION This will take the pain away. I know where your family lives in El Salvador. I ll collect your pay until your debt is paid off.

9 *Children under 18 working in commercial sex are automatically victims of trafficking according to federal law. They do not need to prove force, fraud, or coercion.

10 Risk Factors Age Immigration Status Socioeconomic status Gender inequality Unemployment Sexual abuse Police/political corruption Natural Disaster High crime Runaway/homeless Mental health LGBTQ

11 71% of labor trafficking victims arrive in the US with some form of temporary visa. By time they accessed services, legal status had expired in 69% of those cases. Understanding the Organization, Operation and Victimization Process of Labor Trafficking in the United States Urban Institute

12 Human trafficking is everywhere Prostitution Brothels Meat packing industry Massage parlors Child sexual exploitation Domestic Servitude Construction Restaurant industry Hotel industry Elderly Care Hair braiding Internet Strip clubs Pornography Nail/hair salons Factory work Escort services Agriculture

13 Barriers to Escape & Identification Barriers to Identifying Victims Additional Barriers for Immigrant Victims Hidden crime Coached by trafficker Charged as perpetrator Don t always identify as victim Fear of deportation Language & economic barriers Lack of protection in home country Misinformation from perpetrator about rights & available services

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15 No documents Facilitated drug addictions Debt Inability to get help isolation, confinement, and guarded Unaware of their rights or resources available to them Empathy/emotional ties to traffickers i.e. Stockholm syndrome Distrust of law enforcement agencies and service providers Fear of not being believed Fear of retaliation (for them self and others) Shame Overwhelming sense of hopelessness, no one cares or a normalization of the exploitation

16 MYTH: Once a survivor has escaped, he or she is safe. FACT: Many, if not more, of the factors that led to human trafficking still exist after a survivor escapes (e.g., poverty; lack of legal status; history of physical, sexual, or emotional abuse). Vulnerability is compounded for foreign-born survivors in the U.S.

17 When to leave Where to live Report to police Engage in services Receive mental health counseling Specialized, trauma-informed, comprehensive services Public benefits Immigration relief Criminal justice advocacy Education, job training, and $ literacy Reduced risk of re-exploitation Increased participation in the community and work force Decrease traumatization Better quality of life

18 Immigration Relief Available to Foreign National Survivors Continued Presence T-Nonimmigrant Visa U-Nonimmigrant Visa Issued by law enforcement Temporary relief 1 year increments Can be renewed or revoked Obtain work authorization Access to public benefits Completed with an immigration attorney Must be in the US on the account of trafficking Law enforcement certification is optional Valid for four years Obtain work authorization Access to public benefits After 3 years, can begin adjustment to LPR Completed with an immigration attorney 26 different crimes Law enforcement certification is required Obtain work authorization Not eligible for public benefits Valid for 4 years, can adjust to LPR status after U visa

19 Immigration Relief Process for Foreign National Survivors Meet with attorney Report to law enforcement File Visa Visa Decision 4 to 6 months 4 to 6 months

20 Case Study: Manny

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22 What can we do? 1.Treat people with compassion and dignity. Engagement is the work.

23 What can we do? 2. Ask what else they need.

24 What can we do? 3. Hang the National Human Trafficking Resource Center poster where your program participants can see it.

25 What can we do? 4. Add screening questions to your assessment. 1. There may be special help for clients who have been forced or tricked into working for someone or forced into engaging in prostitution for little or no pay. Has anyone forced you to work or made you have sex in exchange for money, shelter, or other items? Y/N 2. Would you be interested in being contacted by an organization that works with individuals who have been forced into labor or prostitution? They can assist you in identifying and addressing your safety, court, immigration, legal needs, and basic needs such as housing, food, and medical assistance. Y/N

26 What can we do? 5. Request a training for your staff through the Office for Victims of Crime. ASHLEY GARRETT Human Trafficking Team Lead Office for Victims of Crime Training and Technical Assistance Center 9300 Lee Highway, Suite 400 Fairfax, VA USA cell: fax: agarrett@ovcttac.org

27 What can we do? 6. Connect with specialized antitrafficking service providers in your community so you can make a meaningful referral.

28 What can we do? 7. Consider victims of trafficking a specialized population at risk for violence and exploitation Notwithstanding any other provision of this section, the Secretary shall consider to be homeless any individual or family who is fleeing, or is attempting to flee, domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, stalking, or other dangerous or life-threatening conditions in the individual s or family s current housing situation, including where the health and safety of children are jeopardized, and who have no other residence and lack the resources or support networks to obtain other permanent housing.

29 What can we do? 8. Advocate for survivors of trafficking to access safe, affordable housing that meets their short- and long-term needs.

30 Human Trafficking 101 Case Study Tools to Identify Survivors Call to Action: Survivors Need Safe Housing Options!

31 Resources State-by-state anti-trafficking resources, fact sheets, and posters Human Trafficking Resource Center National Best practices in trauma-informed, client-center, rights-based service delivery Freedom Network Request a staff training Office for Victims of Crime Training and Technical Assistance Center Connect with comprehensive anti-trafficking service providers in your community List of Trafficking Victim Assistance Program grantees (for foreign nationals) List of OVC grantees (for foreign nationals and domestic victims)

32 As individuals, you can also: 1. Learn about human trafficking. 2. Have a conversation about the issue. You are so well informed spread the word! 3. Visit to find out if you have any donation items that survivors need and to sign up for our mailing list. 4. Sign up for advocacy alerts at to support legislation that will protect vulnerable populations. 5. Save the National Human Trafficking Resource Center Hotline # in your phone and call in a tip if you see something suspicious. 1 (888) Insert your idea here:

33 Finally, let s commit to addressing the structural contributors to exploitation. Strengthen labor law protections and enforcement mechanisms. Pass comprehensive immigration reform. Raise the minimum wage. Increase accessibility to affordable housing.

34 Megan Mahoney Director, Northern Tier Anti-Trafficking Consortium (NTAC) Heartland Human Care Services Chicago, IL