Blog 10: States Toughen Laws Against Child Sex Trafficking

In Khadaroo's article, she stresses the fact that many states have begun to crack down on their human trafficking awareness and their laws. She states that over 186 bills have been recently enacted over the past year, which is an overwhelming amount of progress. Many of these laws involve a federal Trafficking Victims Protection Act, sometimes referred to as a Safe Harbor Law. This Act changes the way that victims are viewed and treated. In the past, if an individual was found involved in prostitution, they were immediately prosecuted and treated as a criminal. These new laws, however, offer protection as it has been recognized that many of these girls and women are in fact victims. In regards to minors, they no longer have to prove force or coercion. In response to these new laws, many states have improved their standings within the Protected Innocence Challenge. While this program is making progress, there is limited space for the victims that have been rescued and entered into the Protected Innocence program.Progress has also been made through increasing the fines associated with human trafficking. As this is a for profit business, hefty fines become a huge deterrent to traffickers.

The introduction of the federal Trafficking Victims Protection Act is great news. Now that minors no longer have to prove force, they are able to be rescued and immediately enter into rehabilitation centers. There is no need for victims to be treated like criminals, and this step forward is one that will have a huge impact across the globe. Since trafficking is strictly a for profit business, the tacking on of heavy fines for offenders is a major deterrent for traffickers. If we can cause this industry to no longer be one of the top money producing industries, then we will see a huge decline in the amount of trafficking occurring across the world. While raising awareness for the issue is an important thing to do, it must also be paired with action. The past few years have been focused on raising awareness and making this issue known to the average citizen. It is great to see that now, as more and more people are learning about this issue, action is being taken in huge ways.

Caroline Califf

November 13th, 2013

1:34 pm

http://www.csmonitor.com/USA/Politics/2013/1108/States-toughen-laws-against-child-sex-trafficking-video

Blog 9: Vatican Ramps Up Effort to Stop Human Trafficking

According to The National Post's Rachel Browne, the Vatican has been putting a lot of effort into raising awareness for the fight against human trafficking. There was a weekend event held by the Pope with its goal being to chose the Church's plan of action against this mass issue. One proposed solution is to ratify the Palermo Protocol, which is produced to provide awareness. The overall outcome was the decision to instruct the Church on how to battle this issue, especially focused on Canada. While battling human trafficking was first brought up by the Vatican in 2000, it has since lacked any initiative within the Church. Many are excited that the Pope is taking action and speaking out, as much of the awareness raised within the church is done primarily by females. It has been announced that there will be more anti-human trafficking events hosted by the Vatican and throughout the Catholic Church in the following years.

This article among others published throughout this week show the growing interest being taken in human trafficking throughout the world. Movements are being made by not only the Catholic Church, but also by other religious groups and non-religious groups. It is most intriguing to me that the Pope is taking a stand, as this is one of few statements made by males in regards to human trafficking. Oftentimes activists groups are composed of primarily or led by women. Seeing men, and power holding men at that, jump on board is a huge step in fighting human trafficking. As stated by Moira McQueen, executive director of the Canadian Catholic Bioethics Institute, “I hope there’s a trickle-down effect…from the Vatican’s message. Most people don’t know the facts about human trafficking [so] awareness and action is needed." I completely agree with her statement. Without powerful leaders getting on board with the anti-human trafficking campaign, no progress will ever be made.

Caroline Califf

November 7th, 2013

12:11 pm

http://life.nationalpost.com/2013/11/05/vatican-ramps-up-effort-to-stop-human-trafficking/

Blog 8: DA Alleged sex traffickers in Cambridge part of international ring

This article reports two individuals working together to force two minors into the sex industry. The first, 20 year old Tracey-Bushamie, is convicted of assisting Streety, the individual receiving more allegations. The charges against them include trafficking of minors, prostitution, and rape. Allegedly, they took two seventeen year old girls and transported them to a hotel where they were instructed to preform any sexual acts requested by their customers. When hotel staff became suspicious, they called local police. After finding the on-line ad for the girls services and making contact with one of the girls, they entered the hotel and rescued both girls. The two alleged criminals are facing charges and are currently undergoing trial.

This article does a great job of discussing the steps being taken against the criminals. In many situations, those guilty of human trafficking are not found guilty or receive little to no punishment. I am very encouraged by the extent to which these two are being investigated, and am very hopeful that they will be properly prosecuted. It is also encouraging to read the final paragraph of this article. The district attorney speaks about the statistics and frequency of human trafficking, and acknowledges that many are unaware of this issue. It is extremely important that not only local police forces but also those conducting the trials are knowledgeable and informed of what human trafficking is, what it looks like, and how frequent it occurs. Otherwise, proper prosecution will never occur.

Caroline Califf

Friday, November 1st, 2013

http://www.wickedlocal.com/cambridge/features/x529845977/DA-Alleged-sex-traffickers-in-Cambridge-part-of-international-ring?zc_p=1

Blog 7: An Underworld of Male Slavery Comes to Light in the U.K.

According to Kate Harris' article published in the Times, human trafficking of males is on the rise in the U.K. Recently Simester, a 43 year old male, was rescued after thirteen years of forced labor in the U.K. His case caused a major rise in the awareness and activist movements to end human trafficking in the UK and Europe and began an operation called Operation Imperial which led police raids to rescue others. It has been found that more than three-fourths of those forced into slave labor are males, but that these males account for less than one-fourth of all human trafficking cases world wide. It was also found that many of the males trafficked within the U.K. had pre-existing mental issues and/or drug dependency of some type. They average men preyed upon were newcomers to the area and often did not speak the language. Unfortunately, the fines and prosecutions are not very risky and many traffickers go unpunished. This leads to many trafficked peoples going unheard and with rescue.

I found it extremely important that Harris mentioned that many of the men trafficked do not speak the language and do not know their way around the areas that they are forced to work in. The language barrier leads to the men not understanding what is happening. Often they believe they are about to begin a new job or something of the sort. Once they realize what is going on, they are kept in isolation. When they are in the presence of someone that can help, they cannot communicate effectively enough to get across their need for help. If they were to escape, they would have nowhere to go and would not be able to tell people what had happened to them. They also witnessed those in forced labor with them being beaten, which reduced their attempts to flee. Language is such an important factor within international human trafficking, yet it is one that often gets left out of the picture.

Caroline Califf

October 24th, 2013

4:41 pm

http://world.time.com/2013/10/17/an-underground-world-of-male-slaves-comes-to-light-in-the-u-k/

Blog 6: Dozen victims recovered, 14 charged in international sex-trafficking ring

According to this article in The Examiner, Huston's Human Trafficking Task Force rescued twelve adult and young women from a international trafficking ring in Huston. This ring was operated by six men and seven women, smuggling undocumented women and minors from Mexico into Huston, where they were then forced by various means into the prostitution business. The majority of their business was conducted inside of two local hotels, both of which remained open late and acted as bars/brothels. It is concluded that this particular ring has been in operation since 1999, and it is estimated that they made over $1,200,000 in room fees only. Customers also had to pay individual fees per girl depending on their age. This money would go to the girl's pimp, none of it to the girl. Those that were charged fall into either conspiracy to commit alien smuggling, conspiracy to commit prostitution, conspiracy to commit money laundering, or any combination of the three. Each person involved is currently in federal custody without bail until their detention hearings. As for the girls that were rescued, they have been placed within non-profit rehabilitation centers. These arrests and rescues are the result of many Huston organizations working together to end human trafficking within their city.

This is a prime example of multiple organizations within the same city working together to end human trafficking. Not only were they able to tackle a major human trafficking ring within their city limits, but these girls were being brought over the border. Now that those who ran this ring are behind bars, that is less girls and women that will be trafficked by those individuals. It may seem like the tiniest bit of progress, but any progress is a huge step in this fight. This article also included information about how to contact the National Human Trafficking Resource Center, which will help educate those who read it and better equip them to properly and proactively react in any given situation regarding human trafficking. If more cities are willing to partner up with their local governments, police forces, and non-profit organizations such as Huston is doing, tons of stories like this would be occurring all across America. And each little success adds up to ending international human trafficking as a whole.

http://www.yourhoustonnews.com/west_university/news/dozen-victims-recovered-charged-in-international-sex-trafficking-ring/article_85c2e577-e8bf-55c6-b85e-c5fec7d90e73.html

Caroline Califf

October 15th, 2013

2:57 pm

Blog 5: Fund Set Up in UAE for Victims of Human Trafficking

A new fund has been set up to support Ewa'a and their attempts to help human trafficking victims begin a new and successful life. While victims were originally given small budgets to get them back on their feet, it was not enough to make them as successful as they potentially could be. This new fund, according to Dr Anwar Gargash, head of the committee, will allow victims to begin their own projects and find the appropriate medical treatment. "The establishment of the new fund will be a major initiative in supporting the victims and helping them meet the needs of their future,” Dr Gargash said. The Ewa'a center's goal is to support victims, women and children alike, and they have been in operation since 2008. According to this article in The National, the Ewa'a is currently looking into opening a men's rehabilitation center in Abu Dhabi in the near future. 

It is very encouraging to see efforts such as those of the Ewa'a program being rewarded and expanding. With the new funds, the organization will be able to care for more rescued victims and give them better chances of succeeding in their futures. They are able to teach women and children how to begin their own projects such as sowing or book binding businesses. They are also able to ensure that these survivors have access to adequate medical treatment, as many of them contact STD's and other health ailments while they are being trafficked. The rehabilitation facility allows the women to swim, craft, and many other every day activities in hopes that they will feel a sense of normality. They also work with the survivors in attempts to catch and prosecute traffickers. This is an awesome organization, and I hope to see more like it progress and receive funding!

Caroline Califf

October 9th 2013

8:19 pm

http://www.thenational.ae/uae/government/fund-set-up-in-uae-for-victims-of-human-trafficking

Blog 4: Vietnam's Trade of Underaged Species

     Lien Hoang, reporting on Ho Chi Minh City in Vietnam for the International Herald Tribune, discusses the recent efforts to stop human trafficking, most specifically child labor. The Blue Dragon Children's Foundation is a nongovernmental activists group that poses undercover and enters sweatshops in attempts to rescue trafficked children. Following their lead, the police forces have begun to get involved. Police involvement is a new advance in Vietnam. Once they discovered that while the children were indeed being paid they were often too young and working in terrible conditions, they became more active. However, the fines and penalties given to factory owners that have illegal child labor and trafficked children are little to nothing in many cases. According to Hoang, fines can be a little as $250 and often the factories simply relocate. While that is discouraging, a progressive step forwards is the mention of a new law that clarifies that trafficking is not only across borders but also within states and cities. This opens doors for training across police fields, which will increase efforts to end human trafficking.

     I find this article extremely interesting because it starts by telling us that the police had very limited involvement in the past but are increasingly more involved as time goes on. While it excites me that law enforcement is taking a more active role, it is extremely disappointing to hear that the consequences are so small and have little impact. If any progress is to be made, affirmative action must be taken as soon as people are found guilty of trafficking and illegal child labor. Another encouraging fact is the introduction of a law clarifying that trafficking happens not only across borders but also from city to city and village to village. This encourages local law enforcement and other agencies to be more aware of the issue. Clearly human trafficking is a huge issue within our global society, and something must be done about it. Hoang makes an excellent point in her closing sentence:  "But if the country is ready to give the death sentence to drug dealers or arrest traders in rhinoceros horn, it shouldn’t just give a slap on the wrist to those who employ children, especially children who have been trafficked." I completely agree with her logic.

http://latitude.blogs.nytimes.com/2013/10/01/vietnams-trade-of-underaged-species/?_r=0

Caroline Califf
October 2, 2013
11:12 pm

Blog 3: Human Trafficking Continues to Ravage Jharkhand

        Raksha Kumar from India Ink in The New York Times writes on the human trafficking industry in Jharkhand, India, and tells the story of eleven year old Suman Tutti from the Bhoot village. Living in extreme poverty with a large family, Tutti was approached by a seemingly harmless elderly woman offering her an opportunity for school and work in the big city. Tutti followed the woman and found herself being trafficked. Her family assumed she had been taken or killed by the Maoist rebels due to the violence occurring within and around their home. After meeting a young girl from her same village, Tutti and her friend were able to escape and return home. Kumar discusses how prevalent trafficking is in Jharkhand, reasons that people get pulled into the system, and the lack of police protection. He also introduces the interesting cultural issue paired with those rescued from trafficking: the girls are often thought impure and are unwelcome back in their homes and villages. Luckily, the girl featured in this story, Suman Tutti, was gladly welcomed back into her family.
          One of the major issues that Kumar discusses is the reason behind individuals getting pulled into the trafficking system. As with many countries right now, their economic situation force them to search for work in alternate places. In this case, many are forced to leave their villages and search for work in big cities. An interviewed individual for this article even claims that "more than 80 percent of the girls who are trafficked belong to the tribal communities." In addition to economic reasons, Tutti's village as well as many surrounding areas are in turmoil due to fighting between Indian forces and Maoist rebels. The chaos caused by the fighting opens many opportunities for traffickers to easily gain new targets. This is not helped by the police, as many of them have no knowledge regarding trafficking. It is vital that some type of training occur in order for any progress to be made. Many girls are still searching for opportunity and are naive to the possibility of being trafficked.

Caroline Califf
September 26th, 2013
1:01 pm

http://india.blogs.nytimes.com/2013/09/23/human-trafficking-continues-to-ravage-jharkhand/

Blog 2: Myanmar Pledges to Tackle Human Trafficking Through International Collaboration

       Recently, Myanmar has not only become more aware of the high levels of human trafficking, but they have also been seeking the root causes and some possible solutions within their country. In 2005 they adopted an anti-trafficking law, and this year they celebrated Anti-Trafficking Day, which will now be celebrated annually on September 13th. This article goes on to tell that police officers and other agencies are now receiving the proper education to deal with trafficking situations, and they are hosting many public events to alert their countrymen about this growing problem. There is also mention of Myanmar "doing more to check the problem at home and collaborating in preventive efforts with the U.S. and its Southeast Asian neighbors",  which is a key factor in abolishing human trafficking.
       One of the most impressive things about Myanmar's efforts is their thorough work involved in educating the public. They have spent time researching where most trafficking is taking place within their country and why, which enables them to target the issue at the source. A common trend in many human trafficking situations, it is recognized that Myanmar's poor economic, political, and social situation pushes many people to seek employment abroad, making them more susceptible to human trafficking. It is also monumental that they have taken this information and used it to construct awareness campaigns within the most at risk communities. Hosting concerts and giving speeches is a very proactive way to approach the abolition of human trafficking. This article is one that shows how seriously this issue is being taken by some governments, which allows for hope and offers other countries a model to follow if they chose to join the campaign. While these extensive efforts are not yet very common within today's governments, Myanmar proves that there is progress to be made and those willing to being making it.

Caroline Califf
9.19.2013
5:31 pm


http://www.rfa.org/english/news/myanmar/trafficking-09172013150346.html

Blog 1: Human Trafficking Around the World

    According to Tirman in the Washington Post, Human Trafficking is an epidemic that is present in every corner of our world, yet it is one of the most well hidden epidemics of our time. Many people are ignorant of the fact that human trafficking, mostly in the form of forced labor, is something that occurs across the globe, much less that it occurs right here in the United States. The group of trafficked individuals consists mostly of women and children that have been promised a job in another country. Many of the children are sold by their parents to traffickers posing as adoption agencies, as their parents hope to give them a better chance at life. Once they arrive, their travel documents are destroyed and they become enslaved to the person that brought them over the border .The most common form of slavery to date is forced labor, with sex trafficking following closely behind. Many governments aren't educated in this topic, which results in the victims being punished if they get caught. The victims have no way of escape, as their traffickers dig them further into debt with each day that they live.

     This has become such a secret epidemic because in many countries, the police officials and governments are those that exploit people for cheap labor or sex (Tirman). So many families are driven to seek jobs away from home or to sell their children due to the poor economies or being a single parent without any other means of income. Most often it is war torn countries that are swept into the trafficking industry, yet we unknowingly employee these victims right under our own noses, with the United States being within the top ten destinations for trafficked victims (Hidden in Plain Sight, Hepburn & Simon). This is something that the majority of people are uneducated about, which has spurred some authors to produce books on the topic ranging from factual accounts to personal testimonies. It is a growing industry, and our knowledge and ambition to fight it is growing at a much slower pace than it should be. It is an epidemic that we can solve.

Caroline Califf
9/8/13 - 9:39 pm
Sociology 202-03
Human Trafficking, Human Rights

http://articles.washingtonpost.com/2013-08-16/opinions/41416573_1_trafficking-victims-global-trafficking-human-trafficking/2

References to Hidden in Plain Sight by Stephanie Hepburn & Rita J. Simon