Human Trafficking

             In November 2015, I had the opportunity to attend a conference presented at the Cedar Rapids, IA public library on a very disturbing subject- Human Trafficking.  Maggie Tinsman, an Iowa state legislator of 18 years, informed us that this form of modern day slavery is widespread throughout the United States.  Maggie is the Chairman of Braking Traffik, a concerted community effort out of the Quad Cities of Iowa and Illinois to address the horror of Human Trafficking- which unjustly strips people of their human rights and freedom. 
             “Human trafficing is the buying and selling of human beings for another person's profit.  ... There are more slaves in the world today than at any other time in history.  Approximately 27 million of them.” (source: Teens Against Human Trafficking)
            Human Trafficking is a $150 billion global industry- 600,000 to 800,000 people are trafficked across international borders annually; while over 98% of sex trafficking victims are woman and girls (average age is 11-14 years), the majority of trafficked victims are of labor trafficking (statistics from Braking Traffik- Stopping Sexual Exploitation in QCA- www.brakingtraffik.org).  Victims of Human Trafficking are forced, defrauded or coerced into lives of servitude or sexual exploitation and abuse.  Trafficked victims are found in domestic situations (as nannies or servants), hotel or tourist industries, restaurant services, factories, commercial sex, farming and in construction.
            The USCCB website (www.usccb.org) has an informative 5 minute video (“Human Trafficking in the US”) on the trafficking of a young Philippine woman who was lured to the US to serve as a nanny for $1700 per month.  She was compensated $200 a month, working 10- 12 hour days caring for children and performing house hold chores after being informed that a large sum had been spent to bring her to the US.  Trafficked victims are controlled by fear and threats, many do not speak english or have proper travel documentation. 
            I initially become aware of human trafficking occuring within “my own backyard” while talking with one of my Franciscan brothers while on retreat.  He spoke of truck stops along
I-80 being used by traffickers transporting human cargo- I was truly appalled.  Maggie Tinsman broadened the scope of this human injustice by stating that Iowa has three major Interstates (I-80, I-35 and I-74) passing through it and a huge rural area in which to hide trafficked victums.  Check out the Truckers against Trafficking website to see how truckers are joining the fight against human trafficking.
            Within the 2015 JRLC & iCan Issue Briefing (Joint Religious Legislative Coalition and  Interfaith Children's Advocacy Network from Minnesota) is stated “Human Traffickers target people whose social support and safety net have eroded and whose options for safety and self-sufficiency are few. Traffickers may lure their victims into servitude with promises of economic and emotional security, but, ultimately, traffickers force victims to perform work or services under threat of violence, coercion, and other methods of intimidation. By forcing their victims into prolonged mental, emotional, and physical deprivation and abuse, traffickers rob victims of their free will and human dignity.  Research indicates that sex trafficking is the most prevalent form of human trafficking within the state (of Minnesota), especially of women and children.  Alarmingly, data suggest that the number of commercially sexually exploited youth is rising, as evidenced through Internet advertising.  In the last several years Minnesota has passed a series of “Safe Harbor” laws designed to train prosecutors and law enforcement, to de-criminalize the legal status of victims, and to increase criminal penalties on “johns” and traffickers.  The current biennial budget (of Minnesota) includes $5 million to start the process of building a statewide network of victim services.”
            “Human Trafficking is a hidden crime... Public awareness also plays a key role, given the hidden nature of human trafficking.  Educating the public about the signs of trafficking can help to identify victims and may assist in the investgation and prosecution of cases.” (source:  Iowa Department of Public Safety)
            Identifying  victims of Human Trafficking: Source: “Look Beneath the Surface” (US                      Department of Health and Human Services)

• Is the person accompanied by another person who seems controlling (possibly the trafficker)?

• Is the person rarely allowed in public (except for work)?
• Can you detect any physical or psychological abuse?
• Does the person seem submissive or fearful?
• Does the person lack identification or documentation?
• Is someone else collecting the person's pay or holding their money for “safe keeping”?

National Human Trafficking Resource Center:  1-888-373- 7888.
 
Cynthia Gunsolly, OFS