Stopping Traffic: Human Trafficking and the Transportation Industry. Angela Forsythe Associate Legal Counsel MnDOT Office of Chief Counsel

Transcription

1 Stopping Traffic: Human Trafficking and the Transportation Industry Angela Forsythe Associate Legal Counsel MnDOT Office of Chief Counsel

2 Presentation Agenda Understanding Trafficking: Definitions and Scope Fighting Trafficking: Transportation Industry Response Ending Trafficking: Individual Action

3 UNDERSTANDING TRAFFICKING: DEFINITIONS AND SCOPE

4 General Principles Human Trafficking Labor Trafficking Sex Trafficking Adult Child

5 Labor vs. Sex Trafficking Labor Trafficking 19% Sex Trafficking 81%

6 International Definition Human Trafficking is "the recruitment, transport, transfer, harboring or receipt of a person by such means as threat or use of force or other forms of coercion, of abduction, of fraud or deception for the purpose of exploitation. -United Nations Trafficking Protocol

7 International Human Trafficking AMP Action What does the trafficker do? Recruit Transport Transfer Harbor Receive (a person) Means How does the trafficker get the victim to act? Force Coercion Abduction Fraud Deception Exception: Not necessary if the victim is under 18 Purpose What is the trafficker s goal? Commercial or other sexual exploitation Forced labor/services Slavery or practices similar to slavery Servitude Removal of organs

8 Minnesota Sex and Labor Trafficking AMP Minn. Stat , Action Means Purpose Recruit Harbor Provide Obtain Receive Entice Patronize Solicit Advertise LABOR TRAFFICKING ONLY Transport FORCE FRAUD COERCION ANY MEANS SEX TRAFFICKING Prostitution LABOR TRAFFICKING Debt bondage Forced labor/services Slavery or practices similar to slavery Organ removal (resulting from coercion or intimidation) Receiving profit from any of these

9 Who are the Victims? Age Gender Race Victims Defy Classification Socioeconomic Status Geographic Area Sexual Orientation Religion Physical Characteristics Disability Country of Origin

10 Who are the Victims? Poverty Conflict Commonality: Vulnerability Runaway Immigrants Domestic Violence Little family support

11 Five Categories of Traffickers Promiser/Recruiter Someone who recruits people into an industry with false promises of great things, such as a dream job or an exciting lifestyle. Loverboy/Romeo Someone who uses attention and gifts to make an individual feel loved, safe and valued before demanding pay back of the value of that attention and the gifts. Provider Someone who providing for needs (food, shelter, drugs, etc.) then demands exceptional repayment. Protector/Intimidator Someone who uses physical power or intimidation to protect and also control an individual. Punisher Someone who uses violence and vicious threats to control an individual.

12 Where does sex trafficking occur? AIRPORTS ADULT SPECIALTY ESTABLISHMENTS BARS AND CLUBS BROTHELS BUSES FREIGHT/SEMI TRUCKS HOTELS AND MOTELS ILLICIT MASSAGE BUSINESSES LIMOS AND PARTY BUSES PASSENGER AND COMMUTER RAIL PERSONAL VEHICLES PRIVATE HOMES REST AREAS SHIPYARDS, PORTS, AND DOCKS TRUCK STOPS AND TRAVEL CENTERS

13 Where does labor trafficking occur? AGRICULTURE AND HORTICULTURE CATERING AND RESTAURANTS CONSTRUCTION AND LANDSCAPING DOMESTIC WORK AND CONTRACT CLEANING FOOD PROCESSING FORCED BEGGING OR PEDDLING GARMENTS AND TEXTILES HEALTH AND BEAUTY ILLICIT MASSAGE BUSINESSES COMMERCIAL FISHING RETAIL AND SMALL BUSINESSES TRAVELING SALES CREWS

14 Human Trafficking is an International Issue

15 Human Trafficking is a National Problem

16 Extent of the Trafficking Crisis: International and National $150 Billion a Year Industry 21 million victims of human trafficking globally, hundreds of thousands in the U.S million women and girls and 9.5 million men and boys Every 30 seconds, someone is trafficked NCMEC conservatively estimates that 100,000 children are exploited each year for prostitution in the United States. 1 in 7 of the ~25,000 runaway kids in the United States were likely involved in sex trafficking 2 out of 3 runaways are approached by trafficker within 48 hours of running away Between 14,500 and 17,500 people are brought into the U.S. for trafficking purposes every year

17 But this doesn t happen in Minnesota, right? In 2003, as part of the Innocence Lost Program, the FBI identified Minnesota as one of a dozen states with notably high juvenile sex trafficking activity. In 2010, at least 213 different girls were sold for sex through the Internet each month, an average of five times per day, every day In 2010, on any given weekend night in Minnesota, 45 girls under age 18 were sold for sex through internet classifieds Technology use has risen significantly since 2010 (just think was the year the first ipad came out), this number has risen as well.

18 Sex Trafficking in Minnesota September 29, 2016 Nine Minnesotans arrested in sex sting for soliciting sex with minors October 6, 2016 FiveMinnesotans arrestedina global sexring Young Thai women and girls were forced to have sex with strangers for as long as 12 hours a day nearly every day of the week Worked under threat of severe harm to family if fled or refused October 28, 2016 Duluth man had a stable of girls- began requiring girls to strip on party buses, progressed to sexual favors, then prostitution. May 19, 2017 Minnetonka couple charged for underage sex trafficking operation out of Lake Minnetonka guest house. Operation spanned , involved at least 14 states and 1,600 ads for sex services.

19 Minnesota Activity in International Rings March 2017: Four charged in international sex ring involving women from China. Placed over 18,200 ads in 29 states over 2 years Women worked hours a day, had a $800 per day minimum and had to pay for housing, transportation, food, and contraception on top of that. May 25, 2017: 21 charged in one of the largest global prostitution rings ever busted in Minnesota Women and girls from Bangkok to several U.S. cities, including Minneapolis. Victims were rotated between several cities, kept in prostitution house, not allowed to leave without trafficker supervision, were threatened with violence to themselves and their families in Thailand. Females were promised a good life in America but when they arrived, their passports were taken and they were required to work as sex slaves to pay off unsurmountable debt (including costs of moving to the U.S., rent in the prostitution houses, food, contraception)

20 Labor Trafficking in Minnesota March 2014 Mankato woman charged with forced labor trafficking in restaurant/salon July 2016 Woodbury woman charged with five counts of trafficking related crimes for forced labor trafficking. March 2017 Victim was forced to work 18 hours a day, eat scraps and hair, was restricted from leaving the house Found with two black eyes, broken ribs and sternum, bruises Wisconsin veterinarian convicted of transporting women from China to the Extended Stay hotel in Woodbury, MN to be forced into sex trafficking and massage parlor work.

21 Trafficking at the Super Bowl Claim: Super Bowl is the largest human trafficking event in the world FALSE What DID happen: 130 Arrests, nearly 10,000 ads Local and state law enforcement arrested 94 people in sex trafficking stings Operation Guardian Angel- law enforcement conducted undercover stings against individuals trying to buy sex from juveniles Bureau of Criminal Apprehension arrested 36 individuals During the 11 days around the Super Bowl, there were 9,796 ads on multiple sites

22 Fighting Trafficking: Transportation Industry Response

23 Presidential Common Ground: The Evils of Trafficking Across the globe, including right here at home, millions of men, women, and children are victims of human trafficking and modern-day slavery. We remain committed to abolishing slavery in all its forms and draw strength from the courage and resolve of generations past. -Former President Barack Obama The "full force and weight" of the U.S. government, and particularly the Departments of Justice and Homeland Security, will work to combat an "epidemic" of human trafficking. --President Donald Trump

24 A Call to Action for Transportation Entities The number one mission of the Department of Transportation is to keep the traveling public safe. And one aspect of that is ensuring that our nation s transportation network is not used for harm. Human trafficking is harm. It is a crime, and we must all work to prevent it Transportation entities across the country have a role to play [in the fight against human trafficking by] training and educating employees, and increasing awareness among their passengers. Former Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx January 29, 2015

25 Transportation Leaders Against Human Trafficking The Department of Transportation s Transportation Leaders Against Human Trafficking (TLAHT) initiative is comprised of transportation and travel industry stakeholders working jointly to maximize the collective impact in combating human trafficking. TLAHT provides resources and offers strategic steps to begin an anti-trafficking campaign for members of the transportation industry.

26 TLAHT Resources

27 State DOTs Step Up Iowa DOT successfully partners with Truckers Against Trafficking to provide members of the traveling public with cards identifying signs to look for and resources to contact Arizona DOT includes information on human trafficking in its instruction manuals Mississippi DOT provides human trafficking training to its employees Florida DOT placed anti-trafficking signage and video messages in all rest areas and displays billboards along the highways

28 MnDOT Human Trafficking Awareness Initiative Kicked off January 2017 Commissioner Zelle signed TLAHT Pledge Rolled out MnDOT website Placed signage in all MN rest areas Awareness stickers are on all Commercial Vehicle Regulation Guides Developed agency wide e-module training Developed resource guide Worked with Super Bowl Anti-Trafficking Training Task Force, will be reaching out to Frozen Four, X-Games, Final Four Formed strategic alliances with TAT, TLAHT, A21, Breaking Free, and others

29 Truckers Against Trafficking Non-profit organization dedicated to creating entry points to train drivers and truck stop employees so that more calls will be made and more victims recovered Truckers are especially helpful allies when it comes to spotting cases of sex trafficking because they see areas of the United States that most people don t, and at times when illegal activity might occur under the cover of darkness. Traffickers hide activities from law enforcement; they pay less attention to travelling citizens 1980 calls made by truckers to the hotline, 1035 victims identified TAT provides training for several of the states that require CDL drivers to have human trafficking awareness training

30 The Blue Campaign The DHS anti-trafficking campaign Provides a resource library including awareness posters and materials, videos, training and information Blue Lightning Initiative Trains airline personnel to identify potential traffickers and human trafficking victims, and to report their suspicions to federal law enforcement

31 Ending Trafficking: Individual Action

32 What can I do to help? Recognize Red Flags Report suspicious behavior Be a resource Shop Responsibly Be aware of supply chains Become Familiar with Advocacy Groups Truckers Against Trafficking Victim Advocacy

33 Red Flags: Behavior or Physical State Lack of Common Poor Work Mental and Living Conditions: Health Control or The Abnormal individual(s) Behavior in question Other Poor Physical Health Has few or no personal possessions Is not free to leave or come and go as he/she wishes Is fearful, anxious, depressed, submissive, tense, or nervous/paranoid Is under 18 and is providing commercial sex acts Is not in control of his/her own money, no financial records, or bank account Exhibits unusually fearful or anxious behavior after Is the commercial sex industry and has a pimp / manager bringing up law enforcement Is not in control of his/her own identification documents (ID or passport) Avoids eye contact Is unpaid, paid very little, or paid only through tips Is not allowed or able to speak for themselves (a third party may insist on being present and/or translating) Works excessively long and/or unusual hours Claims Lacks of health just visiting careand inability to clarify where he/she is Is staying/address not allowed breaks or suffers under unusual restrictions at work Lack of knowledge of whereabouts and/or do not know what city Owes a large debt and is unable to pay it off he/she Appears is inmalnourished Loss of sense of time Was recruited through false promises concerning the nature and conditions of his/her work Shows signs of physical and/or sexual abuse, physical restraint, confinement, or torture Has numerous inconsistencies in his/her story High security measures exist in the work and/or living locations (e.g. opaque windows, boarded up windows, bars on windows, barbed wire, security cameras, etc.)

34 If You Suspect Trafficking DO NOT APPROACH THE POSSIBLE TRAFFICKER OR VICTIM IT IS DANGEROUS FOR YOU AND FOR THE VICTIM Call 911 or Call the National Human Trafficking Hotline:

35 For More Information MnDOT s Human Trafficking Awareness Website:

36 Thank You! Should the day ever come when human trafficking ceases to exist, it will not be because traffickers have stopped trying to take advantage of vulnerable individuals. Instead, it will be the culmination of efforts from a global community that refuses to allow it to continue. -Trafficking in Persons Report, 2016