HUMAN
TRAFFICKING
101
THE FACTS AND FIGURES
FOR WI AND WHAT WE CAN
DO ABOUT IT
WHAT IS HUMAN
TRAFFICKING?
Human trafficking:
• The use of force, fraud, or coercion to obtain some
type of labor or commercial sex act.
Sex trafficking:
• “For-profit” sex act that is induced by force, fraud or
coercion. Child prostitution is equivalent to trafficking
under the law according to Wisconsin Statute §
948.051: Trafficking of a Child
Definitions from: Wisconsin Human Trafficking Committee and Wisconsin Office of Justice
Assistance. (January 2012). Wisconsin Human Trafficking Protocol and Resource Manual
IDENTIFYING HUMAN
TRAFFICKING…
Process
+
Way/Means
+
Goal
Recruitment
or
Transportation
or
Transferring
or
Harboring
or
Receiving
A
N
D
Threat
or
Coercion
or
Abduction
or
Fraud
or
Deceit
or
Deception
or
Abuse of
Power
A
N
D
Prostitution
or
Pornography
or
Violence/Sexual
Exploitation
or
Forced Labor
or
Involuntary
Servitude
or
Debt Bondage
(with unfair wages)
or
Slavery/Similar
practices
US Department of State. Trafficking in Persons Report. OFFICE TO MONITOR AND COMBAT TRAFFICKING
IN PERSONS. June 4, 2008.
TRAFFICKING IN
WISCONSIN
• The Wisconsin Office of Justice Assistance reports
that trafficking has been documented in more than
half of all Wisconsin counties, in both rural and
urban areas
• To date, more than 200 victims have been identified
• Since 2000, about one in six victims reported in
Wisconsin was a minor
“Trafficking in Wisconsin.” Wisconsin Office of Justice Assistance. http://www.doj.state.wi.us/office-justice-assistance
CURRENT LEGISLATION
2013 Wisconsin Act 362 was signed into law on April 23, 2014
• Removes the need to prove human trafficking victims did not
consent to actions a trafficker forced them to take
• Expands the forms of force, fraud or coercion that constitute
human trafficking acts
• Provides a path for victims to expunge prostitution convictions
they received for actions taken while under the control of a
trafficker
• Expands the terms under which any person receiving from a
person engaged in prostitution or debt bondage is guilty of a
Class F felony
“2013 Wisconsin Act 362 Signed In Law April 23.” Wisconsin Legislative Update. Slave Free Madison. May 5,
2014. http://slavefreemadison.squarespace.com/news/2014/5/5/2013-wisconsin-act-362-signed-in-law-april-23.html
NEXT STEPS
We have made important progress with the passing
of this law but there is still much to be done.
ACTION NEEDED:
• To educate the community and ensure fair sentencing for
victims of sex trafficking
• To support service providers in giving appropriate care to
survivors of sex trafficking
SAFE HARBOR MODEL
Legal Protection:
• Children are treated as victims of sex trafficking rather than
criminals
• Provides immunity from prosecution for certain types of
offenses or an established diversion program that affords a
means for charges to be dismissed if the child completes
a specialized services program.
Provision of Services:
• Medical and psychological treatment, emergency and longterm housing, education assistance, job training, language
assistance, and legal services are made available to
victims
Sex Trafficking of Minors and "Safe Harbor“. The Polaris Project. http://www.polarisproject.org/what-wedo/policy-advocacy/assisting-victims/safe-harbor
MINNESOTA’S SAFE
HARBOR LAW
Minnesota’s Safe Harbor Law was passed in 2011 with final
implementation effective August 1, 2014.
Five key changes under the law:
1. Added the definition of sexually exploited youth in Minnesota’s
child protection codes
2. Increased the penalties against commercial sex abusers or
purchasers
3. Directed the Commissioner of Public Safety to work with
stakeholders to create a victim-centered, statewide response for
sexually exploited youth
4. Excluded sexually exploited youth under 18 from the definition of
delinquent child.
5. Implementing state service model called No Wrong Door
EDUCATION EFFORTS
Protocol Development
• Ramsey County Attorney’s Office (RCAO) is developing a
model multidisciplinary protocol for identifying and
intervening with trafficked youth
• The model, expected in fall 2015, will consist of tools,
checklists, and other resources to help individual
communities develop their own protocol.
Training and Conferences
• Ramsey County Attorney’s Office is also leading the
statewide training of law enforcement personnel and
county attorneys on Safe Harbor and best practices for
identifying and intervening with youth and traffickers
“Safe Harbor Minnesota.” Minnesota Department of Health. ttp://www.health.state.mn.us/injury/topic/safeharbor/
SUPPORT FOR VICTIMS
No Wrong Door: a comprehensive, multidisciplinary,
and multi-state agency approach.
• Will ensure communities across Minnesota have the
knowledge, skills and resources to effectively identify
sexually exploited and at-risk youth.
• Youth will be provided victim-centered trauma-informed
services and safe housing.
• Establishes Regional Navigators
“Safe Harbor Minnesota.” Minnesota Department of Health. ttp://www.health.state.mn.us/injury/topic/safeharbor/
SAFE HARBOR FOR WI
How can we move forward in making Wisconsin a
Safe Harbor State?
•
Guarantee a consistent sentencing model that treats
sexually exploited youth as victims, not criminals
•
Establish a system of Regional Navigators to best
serve sexually exploited youth
•
Educate law enforcement personnel, county attorneys,
child protection workers, medical personnel and
community members to best help sexually exploited youth
•
Ensure the availability of services for youth
rehabilitation
THANK YOU FOR
YOUR SUPPORT!
Lutheran Office for Public Policy in Wisconsin
909 Landmark Place, Suite 202
Madison, WI 53713
Phone: 608-270-0201
Email: cindyc@loppw.org