Addressing Human Trafficking from a Regulatory Perspective Sophia Papadimos Anti-Trafficking Coordinator for the State of Ohio Ohio Department of Public Safety October 24, 2017
Overview Understanding the crime of human trafficking Legal Framework Ohio s Regulatory Response Resources
Understanding Human Trafficking: Definition Human trafficking is a form of modern-day slavery where people profit from the control and exploitation of others. Often referred to as compelled service of others for profit In the United States, must include elements of force, fraud, or coercion
How Trafficking Occurs
Means: Examples & Definitions Force: Physical assault, sexual assault, confinement Fraud: An act of deception with criminal intent Coercion: Threats of serious harm against any person; the abuse or threatened abuse of the legal process
Typology of Modern-Day Slavery - Polaris Project
Global Scope of Human Trafficking An estimated 25 million people globally thought to be trafficked (ILO) Globally, most trafficking victims are labor trafficking victims, including women, children and men In Bolivia, some children are forced to work in the mining sector. Some do not receive proper safety equipment, which puts them at risk for workplace injuries and long-term health problems. 2016 State Department TIP Report
Types of Labor Trafficking Domestic Servitude/Domestic Worker Cases Nannies Maids/Housekeepers Small Businesses/ Mom and Pop Operations Landscaping Nail salons Restaurants Industrial cleaning Hospitality Peddling Rings/Sales Crews Magazine sales crews Flowers/Candy sales crews Large-Scale Labor Cases Agricultural Factory settings (i.e. garments; food processing) Other large factory work environments (i.e. industrial welding) Construction Child soldiers -From The National Human Trafficking Resource Center
Labor Trafficking or Labor Exploitation? Labor Trafficking Both Labor Exploitation Force, fraud or coercion Restricted movement Unable to leave for fear of harm or retaliation Unfair wages or wage theft Unsafe working conditions Poor living conditions Freedom of movement Freedom to leave
Types of Sex Trafficking Hostess Bar/Club Operations with Inflated-Price Schemes Escort Services (Both Incall and Outcall) Bar/Hotel-based Eastern European/Russian stripping or exotic dancing Go-Go Clubs Latino cantina bars Internet-based Private parties (house, club, lap dance clubs) Boat cruises Phone chat lines Asian room salons, hostess clubs, and other karaoke clubs Domestic strip clubs and gentleman s clubs Residential/Underground Brothel Settings Pimp-Controlled Prostitution Hotel-based Internet/Escort-based Private parties Street-based Truck stops Other miscellaneous locations -From The National Human Trafficking Resource Center
Vulnerabilities to Victimization Disproportionately affects vulnerable people i.e. runaways, foster care kids, migrant workers-documented and undocumented, people with disabilities Victims often do no selfidentify Children who experience sexual abuse are 28 times more likely to be arrested for prostitution (Source: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services)
Legal Framework
Trafficking Victims Protection Act The Trafficking Victims Protection Act (TVPA) of 2000 created the first comprehensive federal law to address human trafficking, with a significant focus on the international dimension of the problem. - Polaris Project
Immigration Relief Human trafficking victims may be eligible for immigration relief regardless of their immigration status. Immigration relief provides the victim with stability and protection, as well as tools to assist law enforcement in their investigation and prosecution of human trafficking crimes.
Goal of Ohio s State Laws 1. Prevent trafficking (increased public awareness) 2. Protect victims (better victim recovery options) 3. Prosecute offenders (Traffickers AND Buyers) Ohio s anti-trafficking laws (ORC 2905.32) were designed to better reflect federal law and address unique circumstances in our state.
State Law Highlights: Training & Awareness Law enforcement officers are required to have trafficking in persons training and to report all human trafficking cases to BCI School staff required to take human trafficking training OCJS mandated to create a state public awareness campaign
State Law Highlights: Penalties for offenders HB 262 (2012) made trafficking-in-persons a felony of the 1 st degree with a mandatory minimum 10 years sentence Adult sex traffickers must register as sex offenders Obstruction of Justice is a 2 nd degree felony in human trafficking cases
Ohio s Regulatory Response
Ohio Human Trafficking Task Force Governor Kasich s Task Force created by Executive Order in March 2012 Created to marshal the resources of the state to coordinate HT prevention and response efforts 10 state agencies working to identify service gaps and meet those gaps
Training Policy Ohio Department of Administrative Services develops mandatory training policy in 2013 State employees who perform duties of law enforcement officers, juvenile justice and adult corrections professionals, first responders, inspectors or investigators, shall receive three and a half hours of mandatory human trafficking training.
Ohio Investigative Unit Liquor, tobacco, food stamps Unique position to identify 2012-2013: Initial human trafficking training 2017: In-depth human trafficking training
Key Components Understanding signs and indicators Being familiar with local resources Engaging local law enforcement End goal: connecting victims to services
Rescue & Restore Coalitions Led by Ohio Network of Anti- Human Trafficking Coalitions Coalitions are coordinated community efforts to respond to trafficking locally
Report to the National Human Trafficking Hotline Report suspected trafficking to the National Human Trafficking Hotline: 888-373-7888 or text BEFREE Or if you suspect immediate danger, call 911
Resources
humantrafficking.ohio.gov Ohio s Toolkit for Serving Victims of Human Trafficking http://humantrafficking.ohio.gov Online compendium of resources Human Trafficking Screening Tool Protocols for serving minors and adults 101 on state and federal laws Speaker requests Map of who is doing what, where in Ohio and volunteers
Thank you for your time! Please contact me with any questions: Sophia Papadimos stpapadimos@dps.ohio.gov 614.752.7817