Look Beneath the Surface HUMAN TRAFFICKING IS MODERN-DAY SLAVERY A VICTIM OF TRAFFICKING MAY LOOK LIKE MANY OF THE PEOPLE YOU SEE DAILY What is Human Trafficking? Modern-day Slavery 4 Sex Trafficking: Commercial sex act induced by force, fraud or coercion, or performing sex act by person under age 18. Labor Trafficking Force, fraud or coercion into involuntary servitude, debt bondage or slavery Global Problem Affecting Men, Women and Children 80% of all victims are women and children (Commercial Sex Industry) Coercion is rampart Terrorists Gangs Multi-Dimensional Threat Global health risk Fuels Organized Crime Loss of human rights and freedom Smuggling vs Human Trafficking VOLUNTARY OR COERCED? HOW I BECAME AWARE Foreign Policy Conference in DC U.S. Law passed in 2000 Iowa Had No Law US vs Bowie in Cedar Rapids PERFECT LOCATION Interstate 35 Interstate 80 RURAL AREAS Why is Human Trafficking Increasing Throughout the World? Wars Economics Social Attitudes Globalization Demand Complicit Authorities Organized Crime ORGANIZED CRIME High Profit: Multi-billion $ Industry Low Risk WHO ARE THE VICTIMS? Men, Women and Children How do victims get involved Solicitors: respected members of the communities Traffickers Victims use fear and coercion viewed as “Disposable People” Work done by trafficking victims Labor – Travelling Magazine Sales Crews Commercial Sex – Prostitution, Strip Clubs, Pornography Continuum of Sexual Abuse, SEC and CSEC “A Network of Underground Players in the Midwest” Wife-in-laws Connectors Watchers Recruiters Groomers Bottoms Traffickers Mental/Physical Cost of Trafficking Psychological Trauma Sexually Transmitted Diseases Substance Abuse and Dependency Untreated Injuries Infertility and Infections Human Trafficking: Where is it? Big Cities Border States Immigration Settlements Isolated Areas Happenings in Iowa? Sexual Ring in Williamsburg, IA Prostitution Sting in Denison, IA Indentured Servitude of Russian Ag Workers in Northeast Iowa Trafficking of minor in Decorah, IA Federal Trafficking Case in Council Bluffs, IA Two Area Cases United States Federal Law •The Trafficking Victims Protection Act (TVPA) of 2000 is a comprehensive federal law that increases penalties for offenders and offers protection to victims. Creation of Interagency task force, Trafficking in Persons office (TIP) and Annual Report •Witness Protection, •Creation of T-visa How Can Iowa Respond Quad Cities became involved: Support of local Law Enforcement Public forum by faith-based groups What Iowa Legislation Does Iowa Code, Section 710 Process for Passing Legislation Drafted Legislation Solicited Sponsors Press Conference and Networking Passage in Senate Passage in House Passing a Law in Iowa.. Iowa Becomes 14th State to Criminalize Human Trafficking Case in Iowa Iowa vs Leonard Ray Russell Iowa Interstate 80 Iowa vs Leonard Russell Two runaway teens picked up in Omaha Prostitution and stripping forced after training to negotiate for sex Anonymous tip uncovers crime First Iowan Sentenced for “Human Trafficking” Attorney General Tom Miller Female Juvenile Prostitution Escaping Abuse Victimized – Pornography, Sexual Exploitation, Drugs Illnesses Threats of Violence Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children 1.6M Run away or are forced out of homes Recruited in malls, modeling agencies, homeless shelters, group homes, on the internet Recruited for prostitution & pornography Internet Investigation 2009 Georgia Demand Study 2010 Memphis-Area Backpage.com Report Quad Cities Area Quad Cities Area Backpage.com Myths about Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children Freely choose prostitution From specific socio-economic groups What Needs To Be Done in the U.S. Get up to speed Continued Outlaw demand = Continued Trafficking purchase of sex Change in Attitudes Buying a person = Unacceptable Prostitution = Violent/ Harmful to Society Human Trafficking Myths All prostitutes are willing All human trafficking participants are criminals All illegal immigrants to US enter for illegal activity Understanding the Mindset of Victims Unaware they are Victims Confined Loyalties to traffickers Why Victims Don’t Seek Help Language Isolated Escorted Coached Fear barriers Identifying Potential Victims Accompanied Spoken for by escort Submissive/ No by controlling person Fearful identification Language/ Cultural barriers Questions to Ask Potential Victims Can you leave your job if you want? Do you get to keep the money you earned? Where do you live? Can you come and go as you please? Have you been threatened if you try to leave? ROLE OF LAW ENFORCEMNT IDENTIFY CRIME PROFILE CRIME ENFORCE LAW U. S. ATTORNEY’S OFFICE HUMAN TRAFFICKING WORK GROUP: HT Education and Community Outreach U.S.. Attorney’s Office, Southern District of Iowa What else can WE Do … Be aware Organize Academic suggestions Hospital Workshops Media WHO DO YOU CALL Your Local Police Authorities or National Hotline for Human Trafficking: 888-373-7888 What else can WE Do … Talk to teenagers about their vulnerability Create a Street outreach program Join Quad City Human Trafficking Project Educate & Raise Awareness Identify Problems Provide Solutions Quote of Archbishop Desmond Tutu How to Contact Me Maggie Tinsman, LLC 3541 E Kimberly Rd Davenport, IA 52807 Maggie.tinsman@mchsi.com 563-359-3624