City of Alexandria, Virginia
Youth Concerns including Gangs & Human
Trafficking
Downtown Baptist Church, April 27, 2014
Mike Mackey
Gang Prevention & Intervention Coordinator
Northern Virginia Regional Gang Task Force
City of Alexandria
Recommendations
1. Read through the materials
2. Report any graffiti to non-emergency police
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3. Watch “The Big Lie” and “Trafficked” online
4. Consider volunteering for 1 hour a week as a
mentor or tutor (www.alexandriava.gov/mentoring)
5. Accept my sincere thanks for your interest in
these critical issues in our community
6. Pass the word, please.
Components of Resiliency
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Hope
Significant Adults
Acquired Skills
Locus of Control (Voice)
Altruism
City of Alexandria, Virginia
1996
1996
1996
80% (4 out of 5) of kids involved in gangs indicated that
they would leave if offered the right help.
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Human Trafficking Defined
Force
Fraud
Coercion
Force, Fraud, Coercion
Force
Physical restraint, bodily harm
(physical or sexual), or confinement
Fraud
Deceitful employment offers or work
conditions, false promises, or
withholding wages
Coercion
Threats of serious or bodily harm
against any person, abuse of legal
process, withholding legal
documents, climate of fear
Scope of Human Trafficking
 $32 billion industry
 As large as weapons trafficking
 12 million victims worldwide
 43% Sex; 32% Labor
 80% women; 50% children
 .4 percent of victims have been identified
 The ratio of convicted offenders to victims identified
is 8.5 to 100.
The U.S. Department of State’s 2010
“Trafficking in Persons Report”
Is this truly a national trend?
July, 2013
FBI - more than 150 arrests have been made
in Operation Cross Country, rescuing more
than 100 children nationwide.
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Is this truly a national trend?
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Is this truly a national trend?
Authorities free 16 juveniles and 54 women,
and arrest more than 45 alleged pimps and
their helpers.
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Societal Permission-Giving Beliefs
“My behavior is normal, acceptable, common and doesn’t hurt anyone.”
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Sex is a commodity
Sex is recreation
Sex is a male entitlement
All men use prostitutes
All people want sex with all people all the time
Women really enjoy violent and degrading sex
Children enjoy sex with adults
It’s a victimless crime
It’s between consenting adults
It’s a job
They love sex & make money doing it
(Dr. Mary Ann Layden—University of PA)
Why Commercial Sex?
Sex Trafficking
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Investment: Minimal recruiting
cost
1 night: $1,000; 1 month: $15,000
1 year: $180,000 Profit
Note: Relies on fewer people,
thus less risky; less expensive;
girls rescued girls replaced
* Renewable Resource
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Narcotics Trafficking
 Investment: $32,000 in initial capital
(1 Kilo)
 Sell: $64,000 (1 Kilo broken down)
 Profit: $32,000
 Note: Relies on more people to
cut and distribute; more
expensive; narcotics seized 
narcotics lost.
 *Finite Resource
Grooming
 Target runaways (offer
housing)
 House parties
 Sedation with drugs and
alcohol
 Demos/Try-outs
 Gang rape
 Gang indoctrination
Recruiting:
Social Media
 Why social media?
• Impersonal
• Ability to gather
intelligence
• Numbers game
• Plausible deniability
 How do they use it?
• Fake accounts
• Mass messages
• Intelligence gathering
Recruiting:
Social Media
Why social media?
How do they use it?
 Impersonal
 Ability to gather
intelligence
 Numbers game
 Plausible deniability
 Fake accounts
 Mass messages
 Intelligence gathering
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Recruiting:
Other Methods
• Bus Stops
• Parties
• Skip Parties
• School
• Neighborhood
• Other girls
• Girl friends of gang members
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Advertising
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Word of mouth
Business cards
Backpage
Craigslist
Dating websites
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Brenda Paz Phenomenon
 Murder in 2003
 Used as a form of power
and control
 Availability of media
coverage
 Misperceptions
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Brenda Paz
The Operation
 Not “traditional” clothing
 Neighborhood-centric
 Trusted clientele
 Limit movements
 Counter-surveillance
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The past year in the
Eastern District alone …
 20 cases, 36 defendants, at least 28 victims (all but two are
juveniles)
 8 of the cases involved gang-controlled sex trafficking with 12 total
defendants and at least 20 juvenile victims
 10 of the cases involved some form of sex trafficking or interstate
prostitution
 6 of the cases involved trafficking "related" prosecutions where sex
trafficking was not directly charged but the conduct had a
demonstrated or plausible connection to commercial sex (usually
involving adults)
 6 active investigations (18th Street, MS-13, South Side Locos, Latin
Kings)
The Victims:
Traditional Ideologies
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Runaway
Problem-child
Unreceptive to services
Sexually promiscuous
Homeless street youth
Consenting participants
Drug-user
Victim
• Gang members /
Associates
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Offender
Victim Background
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Human trafficking is about VULNERABILITY
Cuts across: ethnicity, race, class, gender, etc
Men or Women
Adults or Children
Foreign Nationals or US Citizens
Undocumented or Documented
Educated or Uneducated
Individuals, families, or groups
Anyone
The Victims:
Who are they really?
Vulnerable Young Girls
who are looking for FAMILY
 Situational needs
 Runaways
 Lack of interpersonal
relationships
 Lack of support structure
 Seeking identity
 Mental health concerns
(low self-esteem,
depression, substance
abuse, etc)
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Psychological/Emotional Impact of CSEC
Disruption of healthy psychological development
Self-concept, intimacy, beliefs and goals
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
Impulse to revisit traumatic events,
intrusive emotions & memories, flashbacks, hyper arousal,
exaggerated startle reaction, panic symptoms
Self-injurious and suicidal behavior
Dissociative disorders
Anxiety
Paranoia
Clinical depression
Explosive outbursts
Sleep disturbance & nightmares
Bond with perpetrators
Hyper-sexualization
Emotional Impact of CSEC
Anger and rage
Deep emotional pain/grieving
Feelings of humiliation/shame
Stigma of exploitation
Self-blame/Self-loathing
Loss of sexual desire, feelings, or response
Sad, Sorry, Lost, Hurt, Scared, Hateful, Lonely,
Lovesick, Shy, Annoyed, Irritated, Cautious,
Shame, Helpless, Exhausted, Negative,
Miserable, Disappointed, Suspicious, Grumpy,
Numb, Depressed, Judged, Excluded, Reckless,
Paranoid, Isolated, Shocked, Regretful,
Withdrawn, Frustrated, Paranoid
Spiritual Impact of CSEC
Despair
Hopelessness
Lack of belief in humanity
Lack of faith in spiritual power
Physical Impact of CSEC
Continuous physical abuse
Rape & gang rape
STDs & STIs
HIV & AIDS
Loss of bowel control
Pregnancy (wanted and unwanted)
Sterility
Facial/dental reconstruction
Tattoos & branding
Isolation from peer group
Brain damage
Disconnection from community
Substance abuse/addiction
Isolation from mainstream society
Self-cutting
Homelessness
Suicide/Death
Incarceration/Criminal record as obstacle
Beatings
Disempowerment
Stabbed
Lack of life skills
Shot at
Trust issues/Difficulty maintaining relationships
Obstacles to vocation
Lack of access to legal economies, lack of job experience/skills
Educational deprivation
Missed school, disconnection with school system
Social Impact of CSEC
Courtesy of The Home for Little Wanderers
Warning Signs of CSE
 Frequent runaway
 Returns with bruises/unusual markings
 Parents report change in attitude
mood/personality for no apparent reason
 Older male boyfriend possibly referred to as
“daddy”
 Submissive during questioning and/or answers
appear to be rehearsed
 Possession of new clothes, shoes, jewelry, etc.,
from an unknown source
 Change in peer group
 Isolation from the family
 Mental Health issues
Who are especially vulnerable to
domestic minor sex trafficking?
 Youth with histories of abuse
 41% of minors arrested for prostitution in Las Vegas from
2004 to 2006 had been victims of sexual assault;
 21% had been victims of familial molestation.6
 78% of children in prostitution had runaway 4 or more time
in the past year.7
 WestCare Nevada treated 46 minors involved in prostitution
from 2004-2005; 45 of them had a history of physical and/or
sexual abuse.
Las Vegas Metro Police S.T.O.P. Program, Las Vegas. 2007
Te Dallas Police Department
Who are especially vulnerable to domestic
minor sex trafficking?
 Homeless, runaway or “throwaway” youth
 In the U.S., 30% of shelter youth and 70% of street youth are victims
of commercial sexual exploitation.
 As many as 2.8 million kids living on the street.
 Youth
within the foster care system & child protective
services
• Over 700,000 children in the U.S. currently reside in some form of
foster care.
9 Estes, R. & Weiner, N.
10 U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
VICTIM PROFILE
Individual
 Prior delinquency
 Desire for group rewards such as
status, identity, self-esteem,
companionship and protection
 Anti-social attitudes
 Aggression
 Alcohol and drug use
 Early sexual activity
 Victimization
School
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Poor school performance
Low educational aspirations
Negative labeling by teachers
High levels of antisocial behavior
Few teacher role models
Learning difficulties
Family
 Family disorganization, including broken
homes and parental drug and/or alcohol
abuse
 Family violence, neglect and drug addiction
 Family members in a gang
 Lack of adult and parental role models,
parental criminality, parents with violent
attitudes, siblings with anti-social behaviors
 Extreme economic deprivation
Community
 Social disorganization, including high
poverty and residential mobility
 High crime neighborhood
 Presence of gangs
 Availability or perceived access to drugs in
the neighborhood
 Availability of firearms
 Feeling unsafe in neighborhood
Identifying Victims:
Warning Signs
 Withdrawing from family
activities
 Changing in friends and/or
spending time with
undesirable people
 Having unknown money
and/or materialistic
possessions
 Running away from home
 Placing of gang graffiti on
folders, desks, walls, and/or
buildings
 Obsession with gangs
 Purchasing or expressing a
desire to buy or wear clothing
of all one color or style
 Unexplained injuries
 Purchasing or expressing a
desire to buy or wear
clothing of all one color or
style
 Changing appearance with
special haircuts, eyebrow
markings and/or tattoos
 Using hand signs
 Developing a negative
attitude towards family,
school and/or authorities
(General mood changes)
 Staying out later than usual
 Carrying weapons
 Substance abuse /
additional mental health
concerns
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What to consider….
 Often times the individual does not identify as a victim or
being “trafficked.”
 Do not use the word “Prostitution”
 Understand the power and control dynamics these individuals
faces
 Be aware that often times the individuals are conditioned to
speak and act a certain way in an interview/assessment
 Code of the Streets: “Do not trust law
enforcement/outsiders.”
What to look for..
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Frequent runners
Truant
History of abuse (physical, sexual, emotional)
Parental alcohol and drug use
Economic need/poverty
Exhibits bruises or other signs of physical trauma, withdrawn behavior,
depression, anxiety, or fear
Has coached/rehearsed responses to questions
Demonstrates a sudden change in attire, personal hygiene, relationships, or
material possessions
Acts uncharacteristically promiscuous and/or makes references to sexual
situations or terminology that are beyond age-specific norms
Bruises/tattoos/markings/branding
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What to be aware of….
When you are interacting with someone who has been
sexually exploited the first thing you have to do is:
Get the client to tell their story
Allow them to explore where they need healing.
Victims tend to rationalize or minimize the exploitation, often
times pretending that whatever happened was not that bad.
Exploitation has totally put them in a state of non trust
of the world.
Must help them learn to trust and learn that this world
is and can be a safe place for them.
Must help victim grieve, mourn, and express anger
City of Alexandria, Virginia
Human Trafficking –
Who do I call?
National Human Trafficking Hotline
(Polaris Project)
888 373-7888 to call or text BEFREE.
Or call the Alexandria Police, please – 703-746-4444.
Resources To Stop Human Trafficking
Video produced by Fairfax County Public
Schools –Tricked: Inside the World of Teen Sex
Trafficking – as well as resource guides and
links to associated websites are available
online. The video can be viewed in segments
of 6-13 minutes or the full 60 minutes.
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Helpful Websites
1. http://www.alexandriava.gov/DCHS – Alexandria DCHS Website, select Center for
Children and Families
2. www.keepit360.org – ACAP’s website
3. www.preventitalexandria.org – SAPCA’s website
4. alexandriava.gov/GangPrevention - Alexandria’s Gang Prevention website
5. www.mentalhealthamerica.net – Mental health resources, Mental Health Info tab
6. www.healthieralexandria.org/AntiStigma – Anti-stigma Mental Health HOPE
Campaign website
7. www.youthmovenational.org– Youth led advocacy organization
8. www.thepowerofparents.org - MADD and Nationwide Insurance site that gives parents
of high school students the communication tools they need to stop teen alcohol use
9. www.talkaboutrx.org/documents/TAP2009_ParentsMaxRole.pdf - What parents can
do to prevent teens from abusing prescription drugs
10.www.drugfree.org - The Partnership at Drugfree.org motivates and equips parents to
prevent their children from using drugs and alcohol and to intervene and find help for
those with kids in trouble
11.www.plannedparenthood.org/parents - Tools for parents from Planned Parenthood
12.www.advocatesforyouth.org – Parent Sex Ed Center from Advocates for Youth
13.www.preventgangsnova.org - Northern VA Regional Gang Task Force
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Northern Virginia Regional
Gang Task Force, USA
Mike Mackey
City of Alexandria, Virginia
Gang Prevention & Intervention Coordinator
Northern Virginia Regional Gang Task Force
703.746.4144
mike.mackey@alexandriava.gov
www.alexandriava.gov/gangprevention
www.preventgangsnova.org
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Additional Information
Lisette Torres
Alexandria Campaign on Adolescent Pregnancy (ACAP)
703.746.3130
lisette.torres@alexandriava.gov
Noraine Buttar
Substance Abuse Prevention Coalition of Alexandria (SAPCA)
703.746.3670
noraine.buttar@alexandriava.gov
Shelly Morgan
Parent, Substance Abuse Prevention Coalition of Alexandria
(703).519.6160
shellymorgan@comcast.net
Mike Mackey
Gang Prevention
703.746.4144
mike.mackey@alexandriava.gov
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