Human Trafficking: the sexual exploitation of children Awareness, Definition, Facts, Information, Statistics, Trauma, Indicators, Warning Signs, Legislation & PAATH/PAATH15 February 27, 2017 Presented By: Heather L Shnyder Transitions of PA Lewisburg, PA
Do you know?
Do you know?
Meet Maria This is what it looks like..
Not this
Human trafficking is Modern Day Slavery Exploitation of persons for commercial sex or labor by force, fraud or coercion Victims can be illegal immigrants, legal immigrants, or US citizens It is NOT smuggling (Smuggling is an offense against our borders, while trafficking is an offense against a person) Source:
It s important to know that If the victim is a minor, force, fraud or coercion does not have to be proven.
How Do They Get Involved?
What do you really know? Myth: The victims knew what he or she was getting into Fact: Victims are often seduced, coerced, tricked or forced into prostitution by pimps/traffickers Myth: The prostituted person is a criminal Fact: That person is the victim Myth: The victim was paid for his or her services Fact: All or most of the money goes to the pimp/trafficker; the victim rarely keeps any
What do you really know? Myth: The victim had freedom of movement Fact: Victims are held in physical and/or emotional bondage and are not free to leave Myth: Victims trafficked within the state don t qualify for federal victim assistance Fact: ALL victims of trafficking qualify under federal law Myth: It s not trafficking unless the victims are moved across borders Fact: Trafficking of a child refers to the act of benefiting from the commercial sexual exploitation of a child, not the act of moving the child
Human Trafficking in US Schools Schools as safe havens for kids who are being trafficked SAP staff to be best identifiers School community as potential advocate for students in human trafficking Knowing the indicators, warning signs, and how to respond when a student is identified as an apparent victim https://safesupportivelearning.ed.gov/human-trafficking-americas-schools
Human Trafficking in US Schools US and immigrant children are trafficked for sex and labor in our country Students in our US school system Reported in communities throughout the nation All student demographics are affected https://safesupportivelearning.ed.gov/human-trafficking-americas-schools
Portrait of Exploitation A series of mug shots of individual decline over a one to two year period from being arrested repeatedly for prostitution which is sexual exploitation.
Portrait of Exploitation
Portrait of Exploitation
Portrait of Exploitation
Sex trafficking of minors *Approximately 14,500 17,500 people are trafficked into the US each year for commercial sexual exploitation. - 2001 report *Approximately 100,000 300,000 US citizens, mostly minor girls, are trafficked within the US each year for commercial sexual exploitation. - 2001 report Source: U.S. Department of Health & Human Services
Who are the Traffickers? Parents, guardians Family members Boyfriends/husbands Pimps and other acquaintances Smugglers Drug dealers Gang members Employers and agencies adoption, job placement, modeling, etc. Photo Source: https://t.co/uxhlzltkgd #KHOU
Why does the pimp/trafficker do it? You can sell a gun ONCE You can sell a drug ONCE You can sell a little girl OVER and OVER and OVER and OVER
$32 Billion Annual Human trafficking is the fastest growing criminal enterprise in the world.
Human Trafficking 13 years DOJ, average age of entry for a child into trafficking 460,699 According to the FBI, in 2015 there were 460,699 National Crime Information C enter entries for missing children. 74 percent of the children reported missing to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children in 2015, were in the care of social services when they ran.
Human Trafficking in the US Runaways are likely to be trafficked. Mostly minor girls. If a child runs away four or more times in a year, they have an 80% chance they will be trafficked for sex. ~ US DOJ Throw-Away Children
Who was she? Who is she? Who could she have been? These girls are chosen because they are already vulnerable. Profile: Runaway, homelessness Dysfunctional home History of abuse History of witnessing abuse Drug abuse/witnessing parental drug abuse Low self esteem Poverty Coached or rehearsed responses to questions
Physical Indicators Injuries beating/weapon Malnourishment Tattoos or brandings Signs of torture cigarette burns Fear, anger, sadness, grief, inappropriate humor or emotionless
Social Indicators The number of minor sex trafficking victims in the United States Could fill 1,300 school buses Commercial sex acts Chronic runaways Truancy or not enrolled in school Youth lives with someone who has taken them in Lack of healthy relationships Not allowed to freely contact friends or family
Physical Health: Body and Brain Trafficking Victim Physical trauma to the body can: Weaken your body s immune system when you are feeling stressed, anxious, or upset Experience irritability, flashbacks, emotional numbing, and hyper-alertness Abuse of alcohol, tobacco, or other drugs may also be a sign of poor emotional health Effects of Complex Trauma
Effects of Being Trafficked Children who have been trafficked typically suffer from: - Starvation - HIV/AIDS - Chronic pain - Pregnancy - Infections tuberculosis Engage in risky behaviors - Smoking - Drug and/or alcohol abuse - Under- or overeating - Promiscuity - Self-mutilation - Suicide
Dissociation A victim of trafficking experiences an overwhelming and terrifying trauma. In many cases this leads to dissociate. Mental health issues. A sense of detachment from oneself. Significant stress or problems. A presence of multiple people talking or living in your head. A feeling of possession by another identity
The Effects of Trafficking Behavior Student may be easily triggered or set off Struggles with self-regulation No thought of consequences before acting. Unpredictable, oppositional, volatile, and extreme.
Trafficked students may engage in excessive risk-taking such as Unsafe sexual practices Risk taking such as operating a vehicle at high speeds. Illegal activities Assaulting others, stealing, running away, prostitution, murder
Effects of Trafficking Future Orientation Students need hope and purpose. Victims have little to no hope or purpose See themselves as powerless and damaged Survival mode They live moment to momentunable to think or plan for the future.
The Making Of A Girl?
Operation Precious Cargo
The Miracle Mile Which connects I-81 & I-76 near Harrisburg Investigated: 3 Truck Stops 3 Truck Terminals 16 Motels Of 151 victims from just one truck stop, 45 were minors The youngest was 12 years old
Under PA s New Law Buyers could be: Convicted of a 3 rd degree felony With a $15,000 fine And up to 7 years in prison
Act 105 Comprehensive Human Trafficking Legislation 2014 PA passes Act 105, Comprehensive Human Trafficking Legislation
PAATH & PAATH15 PA Alliance Against Trafficking Humans
YES It is in PA Allegheny County
Pittsburgh/Allegheny County
YES It is in PA Harrisburg
Harrisburg/Dauphin County
YES It is in PA Lehigh Valley
Lehigh Valley
YES It is in PA Union County
Union County
YES It is in PA Erie Tioga Williamsport Milford Washington County York
How a response team works: Patrol Vice Juvenile probation Sex Crimes Units CYF Case workers Sexual Assault Nurse Examiners and EMT s Homicide Detectives Human Trafficking response Team Members PA State Police County Detectives Local Detectives Advocate C&Y Case Worker District Attorney Federal Agencies
How to report 24/7 Transitions Hotline: 1-800-850-7948 ChildLine: 1-800-932-0313 Polaris National Hotline: 1-888-373-7888
Questions