Human Trafficking: Municipal Initiative is Key Presented by Elarbee Thompson Sapp & Wilson, LLP for Women in Municipal Government
Definitions of Trafficking Article 3 of the UN Trafficking Protocol: the recruitment, transportation, transfer, harbouring or receipt of persons, by means of the threat or use of force or other forms of coercion, of abduction, of fraud, of deception, of the abuse of power or of a position of vulnerability or of the giving or receiving of payments or benefits to achieve the consent of a person having control over another person, for the purpose of exploitation. Exploitation shall include, at a minimum, the exploitation of the prostitution of others or other forms of sexual exploitation, forced labour or services, slavery or practices similar to slavery, servitude or the removal of organs. Trafficking Victims Protection Act (TVPA): the recruitment, harboring, transportation, provision, or obtaining of a person for the purpose of a commercial sex act The term involuntary servitude includes a condition of servitude induced by means of-- (A) any scheme, plan, or pattern intended to cause a person to believe that, if the person did not enter into or continue in such condition, that person or another person would suffer serious harm or physical restraint; or (B) the abuse or threatened abuse of the legal process.
The Many Forms of Human Trafficking Sexual exploitation Forced labor (including bonded labor and debt bondage) Slavery or practices similar to slavery Servitude Other forms of exploitation as defined by national laws this may include: Forced marriage Forced or coerced begging Use in criminal activities Use in armed conflicts Ritual or customary servitude Use of women as surrogate mothers Forced pregnancy
Economics of Trafficking Sex tourism : The travel by buyers of sexual services for the purpose of procuring sexual services from another person in exchange for money and/or goods. Occurs between countries, states, and/or cities. Commercial Demand drives cycle
Traffickers Target Most Vulnerable Lower socio-economic background Homeless, runaway, or missing children Political, cultural, or ethnic minority Immigrant Have a history of sexual abuse, rape, or domestic violence Be in foster care Have been subject to natural disasters, conflict, or political turmoil Pregnant women and LGBTQIA+ individuals are two of the highest trafficked groups 40.3 million victims of human trafficking globally. 81% of them are trapped in forced labor. 25% of them are children. 75% are women and girls.
Widespread Domestically
Cycle of Exploitation
Targets for Potential Enforcement
The Allow States and Victims to Fight Online Sex Trafficking Act Websites can be held legally liable if their users post ads for prostitution, was signed into law.
Advocacy Educate Constituents Partner with Schools, Students, and Teachers Train Law Enforcement Identify Healthcare Providers Collaborate with Attorney Advocates Speak to the Issue Publicly
Collaborative Task Force Model Local law enforcement State law enforcement Mental health specialists Federal Agencies (e.g., Department of Human Services) Victims advocates Housing agencies Municipal Courts, especially Juvenile Court, and Judges Inter and Intra Governmental Agreements
Grants from Federal Government Federal Grants Department of Justice Homeland Security Health and Human Services State Department Local and Regional NGOs and NGOs Pathways to Freedom Grant: Awarded to Atlanta, Chicago, and Minneapolis in 2018 Encourage and support innovative, communitywide responses to human trafficking Promote sharing and adoption of effective city programs and policies Challenge assumptions about human trafficking and how victims and survivors are impacted