Human Trafficking Bonnie Price, DNP, RN, SANE A, SANE P, AFN BC Director Bon Secours Richmond Health System Forensic Nurse Program 5801 Bremo Road Richmond, VA 23226 W : 804 281 8574 Fax : 804 287 7634 bonnie_ price@bshsi.org What is Human Trafficking? Human trafficking is a form of modern day slavery. This crime occurs when a trafficker uses force, fraud or coercion to control another person for the purpose of engaging in commercial sex acts or soliciting labor or services against his/her will. 1
Sex Trafficking Sex trafficking is the recruitment, harboring, transportation, provision, or obtaining of a person for the purposes of a commercial sex act, in which the commercial sex act is induced by force, fraud, or coercion, or in which the person induced to perform such an act has not attained 18 years of age, (22 USC 7102). Labor Trafficking Labor trafficking is the recruitment, harboring, transportation, provision, or obtaining of a person for labor or services, through the use of force, fraud, or coercion for the purposes of subjection to involuntary servitude, peonage, debt bondage, or slavery, (22 USC 7102). 2
Force, Fraud, & Coercion Force (Rare) Physical assault Sexual assault Physical confinement or isolation Fraud Fraudulent employment offers False promises about work and living conditions Withholding wages Coercion (Most Powerful) Threats to Self Threats to family members Threats of deportation or arrest Debt bondage With holding legal documents Who is the Victim? Strangers Family Friends US Citizens Foreign Nationals Adults Minors Males Females Caucasian, African American, Hispanic, Asian IT CAN BE ANYONE! 3
Vulnerable Populations Although there is no barrier as to who can be a victim of Human Trafficking, there are more vulnerable populations Who is the Trafficker? Strangers Family Friends US Citizens Foreign Nationals Adults Minors Males Females Caucasian, African American, Hispanic, Asian IT CAN BE ANYONE! 4
Vulnerable Populations Although there is no barrier as to who can be a victim of Human Trafficking, there are more vulnerable populations Vulnerable Populations 80 90% of victims have been sexually abused previously Average age of entry into prostitution is 12 Youngest documented in US is 7 Youngest documented in VA is 12 5
Where Does Trafficking Occur? Street Prostitution Commercial Fronts/Brothels Online Solicitation Truck Stops and Rest Stops (Big for Minor Solicitation) AMP Model Action Recruits, Harbors, Transports, Provides, or Obtains Means Force, Fraud, or Coercion Purpose Commercial Sex (Sex Trafficking) or Labor/Services (Labor Trafficking) 6
Statistics 2nd largest criminal enterprise in the world The United States purchases more women and children for sex than any country in the world Because Interstates 64, 95 and 295 all intersect in Richmond, it makes this city an attractive place for traffickers to do business Statistics According to estimates, approximately 80 percent of trafficking involves sexual exploitation, and 20 percent involves labor exploitation. The average age of a young woman being trafficked is 12 14 years old. An estimated 13 million children account for nearly half of trafficking victims in the world. 7
Statistics Trafficked children are significantly more likely to develop mental health problems, abuse substances, engage in prostitution as adults, and either commit or be victimized by violent crimes later in life. A pimp can make $150,000 $200,000 per child each year and the average pimp has 4 to 6 girls. The average victim may be forced to have sex up to 20 48 times a day. True or False Human Trafficking victims will leave the situation when offered help If a person provides consent then it is not Human Trafficking Human Trafficking victims are all foreign nationals Human Trafficking victims are easily identified 8
Sex Trafficking Bars and Clubs Fake Massage Businesses Hotel/Motel Based Residential Brothels Street Based Strip Clubs Truck Stops Labor Trafficking Agriculture Bars and Clubs Domestic Work Factories Restaurants Hospitality Industry Sales Crew, Peddling and Begging Rings 9
How We Are Helping Our Sisters of Bon Secours 2009 Chapter Call for Systemic Change impels us to work collaboratively to forge just political, economic, and social structures in solidarity with impoverished and excluded persons. In response, we commit ourselves to work for an end to human trafficking by increasing awareness of this issue, networking with other congregations and non governmental organizations (NGOs) and advocating for fair trade as means of reducing the economic pressures which exacerbate this issue Sr. Fran Gorsuch explains, Our efforts have truly focused around education and awareness and working with law enforcement, all important steps towards controlling human trafficking How We Are Helping Bon Secours has collaborated with the Grey Haven to help human trafficking victims Providing education to staff to increase awareness Forensic nursing has rapport with law enforcement Patient advocates Providing resources to patients 10
Recognizing a Human Trafficking Victim IT MAY BE HARD TO RECOGNIZE A HUMAN TRAFFICKING VICTIM!! A lot of victims don t identify as victims There are some red flags to be aware of.. Common Work and Living Conditions Poor Mental Health or Abnormal Behavior Poor Physical Health Lack of Control Red Flags Inconsistencies in their story No access to personal documents or identification No access to a bank account or any other money Not allowed to contact friends or family Not allowed to leave their living or working situation unless monitored Signs of abuse Not allowed to speak for themselves 11
Sex Trafficking Indicators Has been forced to provide sexual favors or commercial sex Mentions they have a controller Is under 18 years of age and engaging in commercial sex acts Exhibits poor health Multiple pregnancies in short amount of time Branding 12
Resources Available Agencies that help victims of human trafficking: Richmond Justice Initiative www.richmondjusticeinitiative.com justicerva@gmail.com The Gray Haven: www.thegrayhaven.org info@thegrayhaven.org National Human Trafficking Resource Center 1 888 3737 888 http://traffickingresourcecenter.org/ Polaris Project http://www.polarisproject.org 13