Central Valley Anti-Human Trafficking Efforts Sarah Johnston Central Valley Against Human Trafficking Central Valley Freedom Coalition
What it means to be free
For me being free, is that my life is not like before. I smile more and I can make my own decisions. Being free now means so much more, because now I will be a mother and I will be able to provide a better future!
What it means to be free
After living some difficult moments in a job as a contracted employee, today I feel free because now I can work where I want to and where I want to without experiencing abuse from my foreman. Today I feel at ease, very happy and peaceful in my job, wherever I am at.
What it means to be free
What is freedom? It means to be free and for me it is the ability to choose responsibly what one wants to do; where to go, where to live, who to talk or hang out with and to be in peace in my home with my family. To be able to integrate in society without any fears.
What it means to be free
Be Free means being able to play, go to school, be with my mom, being in a safe place. It means being able to do what one wants to.
What it means to be free
Founded 2009 Funders: HHS Cal OES SB 1569 USCRI
Through advocacy, partnership, and direct service, our mission is to abolish all forms of human trafficking and free victims from the grip of slavery. Our Mission
Training/TA & Public Awareness Comprehensive Victim Services Regional Partnership 24/7 Trauma Response Outreach
Push Factors in the Central Valley Unemployment rates Poverty level Runaway youth Immigrants Street gangs Gateway location
Hotline Calls, Number of Referrals Los Angeles San Diego Sacramento San Francisco San Jose Oakland Fresno Bakersfield 7 th highest for reported cases 0 50 100 150 200 250 Of the 1,323 total cases: 36 cases originated from Fresno 26 cases originated from Bakersfield
Cumulative Data
Countries of Origin - 21 USA Belize China El Salvador Ethiopia Guatemala Honduras Indonesia Dominican Republic * Dots indicate country of origin of identified victims. Data representative of Fresno EOC Central Valley Against Human Trafficking and funded partners. India Iran Laos Mexico Pakistan Peru Philippines Romania Russia South Vietnam Venezuela
Labor Trafficking Snapshot Massage Parlor, 9% Servile Marriage, 10% Agriculture, 25% Sales Crews, 3% Restaurant/Bars, 7% Construction, 3% Maintenance Crew, 3% Hotel/Motel, 5% Gang Related, 2% Drug Smuggling/Mule, 4% Domestic Service 17% Debt Bondage/Forced Labor, 11%
TRAFFICKING VICTIMS PROTECTION ACT Signed into law October 2000, Reauthorized 2008. Prior no comprehensive law to protect victims of trafficking or to prosecute traffickers Federal Crime Mandated U.S. State Department to create and annually update Trafficking in Persons Report Goals of Law: 1. Prevention of human trafficking 2. Prosecution of traffickers 3. Protection of victims of human trafficking (Rescue, Rehabilitation, Reintegration) 4. Partnership to combat human trafficking
Definition Human trafficking is a form of modern-day slavery. This crime occurs when a trafficker uses: force, fraud or coercion
AMP Model Action Recruits Harbors Transports Provides Obtains Means Force Physical Assault, sexual assault, confinement Fraud False promises about work/living conditions, withholding promised wages Coercion Threats of harm or deportation, psychological manipulation, confiscation of documents *Exception: Under the age of 18 commercial sex acts do not need to have the means of force fraud or coercion. Purpose A commercial sex act Labor or Services
How Does Human Trafficking Occur? kidnapped, beaten, tortured, manipulated, starved, threatened given or sold by family for either a better life or financial reasons coerced with the promise of a better life in another place; or the promise of love given a loan must work it off false documents, postings, etc.
What is Sex Trafficking? Commercial sex act induced by force, fraud or coercion, OR in which person performing the act is under age 18. Victims can be found working on the streets and in massage parlors, brothels, strip clubs, escort services, in homes, massage parlors Posted Online: Backpage, etc. Anyone under the age of 18, can t consent and is always a victim. Victims can be of any gender, age or socioeconomic status
CSEC: Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children Prostitution Survival Sex Pornography Sex Tourism, Mail Order Bride, Early Marriage Performing at Sexual Venues (e.g. peep shows or strip clubs).
LGBTQ Youth and Survival Sex
The Myth The pimp is a cultural icon, business man, and revered capitalist. The female is a prostitute by choice and leads a glamorous life in which she enjoys both her trade and the benefits of her trade.
The Reality The pimp is a criminal. Often a gang member, he is exploiting younger and younger women and girls in more dangerous and violent ways. She is often exploited by force and manipulation. Lured into the game and quickly too broken down to escape.
The Game Recruitment Rules 2 Da Game of Hoez!!! 1) Alwayz make them need and depend on you so you have power over them. (power is control) 2) Make them understand that you don t need them, they need you, and they are replaceable. Never let them no if you need them deep down inside 3) Never let no1 get away with sneakin anything cause once they feel they can get away they will always scheme 4) No matter how much you like or care for 1 or any of them, don t trust none of them. (Like scarface who do I trust?? Me that s who ) 5) Alwayz stay 2 steps ahead of the game you have them playin 6) Don t let them no al your plan s, but always try 2 no there s 7) Make sure you own there mind s, body s, soul s (N test it out every often 2 make sure) 8) Keep your bi on the law as possible when it comes 2 family and hater s (cause you can t trust none of them) 9) Alwayz try 2 no whatz goin on,. (make them tell on each other). 10) Give respect when respect s due.. (follow these rules and you should b Gucci.)
Basic Terminology The Game/The Life Track/Blade/Circuit Daddy/Boyfriend Bottom Bitch Stable Romeo/Boyfriend Pimping Gorilla Pimping Date Square/Turn out/knock Choosing/Choosing up/choosing Season Reckless Eyeballing Trap Uniform Renegade In Pocket Caught A Case
Signs of trafficking and grooming Signs a child is possibly being trafficked: Knows little about his or her whereabouts Works excessively long hours Exhibits fear and anxious behavior Was hired with false promises Has inconsistencies in his or her story Signs a child is being groomed for future trafficking: Has new, older friends Talks about friends who seem too good to be true Spends an increasing amount of time online or on their phone Has suddenly changed their appearance, how she dresses, or grooming habits Suddenly has items they wouldn t be able to afford, like a cell phone, new clothes, etc. Has become withdrawn from the family and more secretive
Red- FLAGS Sex Trafficking Lack of eye contact Body Language Multiple abortions/miscarriages Has numerous inconsistencies in his/her story Controlled/Check in constantly Multiple cell phones Influx of money Older boyfriend Runaway Truant Frequent travel Unexplained change of appearance Language Branding
Tattoo Removal - Video
Sex Trafficking Trends Juveniles are posted online and mostly in-calls Using different technology to avoid L.E. investigation techniques Change in threats and brainwashing giving victim a choice Changes in terminology to avoid L.E. Getting johns to rent rooms Taking public transportation or renting a car Advertising in new forms of social media
Looking at Cute Animals is good for our health - BBC
Labor Video
What is labor trafficking? Labor Trafficking: Using force, fraud or coercion to recruit, harbor, transport, obtain or employ a person for the purpose of labor or services in involuntary servitude, debt bondage or slavery Victims can be found in domestic situations as nannies, maids, or housekeepers; in Agriculture, Construction Work, Sales Crews, Domestic Situations, Street Corner Vendors, Sweatshops, Recycling, Hotels, Restaurants/Bars/Cantinas, Panhandling, Nail Salons, etc. Human Trafficking is a crime against a person, not a border.
Industries of Concern for Exploitation Agriculture Constructio n Work Sales Crews Domestic Situations Massage Parlors Sweatshops Recycling Hotels Restaurants Panhandlin g Nail Salons Other service jobs
Smuggling vs. Trafficking Smuggling Crime against nation Must cross a national border Person free to leave across border passage A person consents to be smuggled No labor or sexual exploitation required Trafficking Crime against person No movement required Person is NOT free to leave after border passage A person is trafficked through force, fraud, or coercion Involves labor or sexual exploitation
Red- FLAGS Labor Trafficking No ID documents Little to no pay Body Language Checks in constantly Fear Injuries/signs of physical or psychological abuse Having to work excessive hours or when sick Working to pay off a debt Isolated from support networks. Restricted/scripted communication Inconsistencies in story
Labor Trafficking Trends Victims are housed together at locations rented or owned by the traffickers All transportation and sustenance provided by trafficker & charged to victim Moving more toward people with a Visa (fake or not) to avoid immigration issues
Why Do Victims Stay? Possible Barriers Fear of law enforcement or government agencies Love trafficker Trauma Bond Drugs D- Child- Sex Trafficked by Family Member S- Unaccompanied Minor- Domestic Servant J- Clovis High School Student- Servile Marriage L- H2-A Visa Seasonal Worker, Labor H- Fresno Subcontractors, Labor Fear of retaliation (self or family) Fear of arrest or deportation Power and control Exhaustion Physical Barriers Not identifying as a victim. Not knowing there is HELP out there!!!
Stages of Change Pre-Contemplation Contemplation Preparation Action Maintenance Relapse
Survivors Need to be empowered be engaged in conversations, not interviews be treated as an individual not a number be supported in building stability know how to utilize resources have their progress celebrated be given the space to make mistakes and learn
What is Trauma An event of circumstance that overwhelmed a person s ability to cope with the situation, leading to a sustained loss of safety Cumulative impact over time, the more events, the less an ability to cope, the more safety is lost In Other Words Overwhelming Event Inability to Cope Loss of Safety
Trauma Informed Care of Trafficking Survivors Basic Principle: Do No Harm. Human trafficking is a safety issue Reducing unsafe situations, behaviors and thoughts increases safety for both individuals and children Focusing on safety will increase the chances to intervene successfully with a child or family Impact of Trauma o Memory o Regulation o Behavior o Relationships o Self Identity Trauma Informed Practices o Environmental Considerations o Traumatic Responses o Mitigating Traumatic Responses
Relevance to Health Human trafficking is a social ill that detracts from the health and well-being of individuals and communities Health care professionals are in a position to identify, assist, and/or care for victims and survivors 50% survivors reported having received medical care while trafficked (Baldwin et al, 2011) Windows of opportunity
The Role of the Health Care Professional Policies and practices Guiding principles Commercial sexual exploitation and sex trafficking of minors should be understood as acts of abuse and violence Minors should not be considered criminals Identification and intervention should do no further harm Patient care Victim Identification Referral to services Advocacy Prevention
Health Care Entry Points Emergency department Community health clinics Primary care practices Reproductive health/family planning clinics Cosmetic practices
Health Needs for Victims of Trafficking Physical injuries Sexually-transmitted infections and related diseases High-risk and/or unwanted pregnancies Malnutrition Infections diseases and non-infections diseases Somaticized symptoms Dental disease and/or injury Substance abuse Mental health
Collaboration No one agency can do it all
Important Numbers Office (559)263-1379 1900 Mariposa Mall, Ste. 100-D Fresno, CA 93721 Or Text HELP to BeFree (233733) traffickingresourcecenter.org Sarah Johnston Outreach Coordinator Central Valley Against Human Trafficking Sarah.Johnston@fresnoeoc.org Office: (559)263-1389 Cell: (559)825-1207
Challenges to Victim Services Language and Cultural Barriers Knowledge of Services Trauma Providing Services to Male Victims Long -Term Housing Frequent Re-victimization Lack of appropriate shelter/programs for labor victims Amount of advocacy needed: Certifications, county benefits, etc. Additional public awareness, training and technical assistance needed. Lack of successful prosecutions