Human Trafficking Awareness Special Agent Amy Tanana
A short introduction to (HSI)
HSI is the primary investigative arm of the U.S. Department of Second largest federal investigative agency in the nation Created in 2003 A merger of Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS) and U.S. Customs 6,700 Special Agents throughout the United States and 48 countries Responsible for investigating over 400 federal statutes
HSI Special Agents Investigate: National Threats and Counterterrorism Human Trafficking and Human Smuggling Child Exploitation and Child Sex Tourism Weapons Smuggling and Export Enforcement Narcotics Smuggling and Trafficking Transnational Gangs and Public Safety Financial Crimes and Bulk Cash Smuggling Immigration and Benefit and Identity Fraud Human Rights Violations Commercial Fraud and Intellectual Property Theft
Smuggling v. Trafficking
Smuggling v. Trafficking Smuggling Crime against a border Trafficking Crime against a person Transportation based Exploitation based Requires border crossing No border crossing required Voluntary Involuntary Victim Assistance Training
What is Human Trafficking? Human Trafficking is compelling someone to work or to induce someone to engage in a commercial sex act Modern Day Slavery (Prostitution, Servitude, Forced Labor)
Methods of Trafficking Force (rape, beatings, constraint, confinement) Fraud (false/deceptive offers of employment, marriage, a better life) Coercion (Threats of serious harm, physical restraint, legal persecution; any scheme that causes victims to believe that failure to perform an act would result in harm) These methods are used by traffickers to press victims into lives of servitude and abuse
Sex Trafficking Commercial sex act induced by Force, Fraud or Coercion The sale of any individual into prostitution Any minor exploited for commercial sex is a human trafficking victim
Sex Trafficking Victims of sex trafficking are used in various forms of commercial sexual exploitation, including: Prostitution Pornography Exotic dancing/stripping Massage parlors Escort services Modeling studios
Labor Trafficking Recruitment, harboring, transporting or obtaining a person for labor/services through force, fraud or coercion The sale of men, women, and children into hard labor for which they receive little or no compensation.
Industries Farming/Agriculture work Landscaping Construction Hotel or Tourist industries Janitorial Services Restaurant/Cooks Waitresses/Waiter Factory Work Domestic Servitude/ Housekeeping/Nanny ***Anywhere a service is provided for a fee there is the potential for Human Trafficking Victims***
How Traffickers Operate (Control) Using violence or threatening the victim or their family members Harming or depriving the victim of food, water, sleep, and medical attention Restricting contact with family or friends Limiting freedom of movement Controlling the victim s identification documents Threatening deportation or law enforcement action
Trafficking Victims Trafficking victims can be any age, race, gender or nationality, including U.S. citizens (however, most are women and children) Traffickers prey on people with little or no social safety net and those most vulnerable due to economic hardship or violence in the home.
Trafficking Indicators Evidence of being controlled Inability to make decisions Coached on what to say or not speaking on own behalf Signs of physical abuse and bruising Apparent fear or depression No freedom of movement/unable to come and go as they please Not in possession of their identification or travel documents Is the person free to socialize, are they able to attend religious services, can they contact family?
Indicators of Trafficking
Indicators of Trafficking
Victim Identification and Assistance Law Enforcement Role HSI/Victim Centered Approach Remove victim from danger Coordinate with NGO partners Arrange appropriate assistance Immigration Status for Potential Relief Work towards possible prosecution
Victims Needs Don t assume that the most pressing needs will be obvious to you. Some issues that victims are often most concerned about: Wanting to go home - to the trafficker or home country. Stigma (don t see themselves as a victim). Safety of the family at home. Isolation- contact with family or a safe, close social network is important. Physical safety- fear of revenge from trafficker. Personal belongings.
Common Myths and Misconceptions About Victims A person is not trafficked if... Wanted to come and/or consented to illegal border crossing. Gave initial consent, or parents consent. Received some wages/compensation. A victim will always be happy to be rescued (don t realize they are a victim). Failed to escape.
Victim Centered Approach The most challenging element of human trafficking enforcement is identifying the victims. Through outreach we expand our opportunities to identify victims
Departmental effort for all anti-human trafficking initiatives Organized around the "three Ps" of the Trafficking Victims Protection Act of 2000 Prevention Protection Prosecution And. a fourth P.Partnerships
Public Awareness Campaign
HSI Outreach Hidden in Plain Sight
The National Human Trafficking Hotline is a national, tollfree hotline, available to answer calls from anywhere in the United States, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, in more than 200 languages. The Hotline s mission is to connect human trafficking victims and survivors to critical support and services to get help and stay safe, and to equip the antitrafficking community with the tools to effectively combat all forms of human trafficking. www.humantraffickinghotline.org
24 Hour Hotline 888-3737-888 National Human Trafficking Resource Center