Human Trafficking in Florida
Robin H. Thompson, JD, MA
Robin H. Thompson & Associates
February 7, 2013
What is Human Trafficking?

Modern day slavery

Trafficking is the recruitment, harboring,
transporting, providing or obtaining, by any means,
any person for labor or services involving forced
labor, slavery or servitude in any industry, such as
forced or coerced participation in agriculture,
prostitution, manufacturing, or other industries or
in domestic service or marriage.
Freedom Network, based on the federal criminal law definitions of trafficking.
Three Elements of Trafficking*
1
PROCESS
Recruiting
OR
Harboring
OR
Moving
OR
Obtaining
a person,
*Freedom Network Training Institute
2
MEANS
3
END
For the purposes of
by
Force
OR
Fraud
OR
Coercion
Involuntary Servitude
OR
Debt Bondage
OR
Slavery
OR
Sex Trade
Human Trafficking

Important to be being victim-centered

Victim is impacted by many systems

Victim is reluctant to discuss

Victims have multiple victimizations

Confidentiality is paramount

Crisis oriented

Safety and Safety Planning very important
Human Trafficking: Prevalence

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In the U.S. 14,500-17,500 annually, 80% women
and children
Globally, accounts range from 600,000 to 4
million people trafficked worldwide each year
(United Nations)
Twenty seven million people in slavery around
the world
$9.5 billion business
Florida is third in the nation
Center for the Advancement of Human Rights, Florida Responds to Human Trafficking
Who is trafficked?

Vulnerable people

U.S. and foreign nationals

All ages, education

Men, women, children
Futures Without Violence,Turning Pain Into Power
Who Are the Traffickers?








Organized criminal syndicates
Families (“mom & pop” operations)
Labor subcontractors
Pimps
Diplomats
Business people/professionals
Individuals with non-commercial sexual motives
May also be neighbors, friends, relatives of the
victim
Human Trafficking Identification

Clues:
◦ Evidence of being controlled
◦ Evidence of an inability to move or leave job
◦ Bruises or other signs of battering
◦ Fear or depression
◦ Non-English speaking
◦ Recently brought to this country
◦ Lacks passport, immigration or identification
documentation
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. The Mindset of a Human Trafficking
Victim
Who could be a victim of human trafficking?

ANYONE

Vulnerability is key

Economic shackles
Traffickers Brutally Control Their Victims
Beatings, burnings, rapes, & starvation
 Isolation
 Psychological abuses
 Threats of deportation
 Threats against the victim’s family
members in the home country
 Drug/alcohol dependency
 Withholding of documents
 Debt bondage

People are trafficked in:






Prostitution
Exotic Dancing
Agricultural Work
Domestic Work &
Childcare
Factory Work
Begging

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
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Restaurant Work
Construction Work
Hotel Housekeeping
Mail Order Brides
Criminal Activities
Informal Labor
Sector
Other?
Domestic Minor Sex Trafficking

Runaways and “throwaways” at great risk

Exploited through sex trade

Florida is a magnet for runaways; 96
children under DCF care in 2010 id’d

271 calls to DCF Abuse Hotline
Domestic Minor Sex Trafficking

Multiple prosecutions to date (e.g., OsleyGreer case)

Any child (<18) induced to perform a sex
act is a trafficking victim

Traffickers target group homes, foster
care
Practical Applications of Cultural
Competence
Listen to the student with an open mind:
-Without using culturally-based
assumptions
-Let the student narrate story in a style
that is familiar.
 Use a trusted and reliable interpreter.
 Make sure interpreter is not linked to the
trafficking situation.

Cultural Competence continued
Gather information about the student’s
understanding of his/her culture and
community.
 Please consider:
-What is like to talk about this problem?
-is there safety and support?
-Are there barriers to safety?

-Adapted from Dr. Sujata Warrier
Screening: Human Trafficking

How to ask – human trafficking:
◦
◦
◦
◦
◦
◦
Can you leave your job or situation if you want?
Can you come and go as you please?
Have you been threatened if you try to leave?
Have you been physically harmed in any way?
What are your working or living conditions like?
Where do you sleep and eat?
Screening - continued
Have you ever been deprived of food, water, sleep or
medical care?
 Do you have to ask permission to eat, sleep or go to
the bathroom?
 Are there locks on your doors and windows so you
cannot get out?
 Has anyone threatened your family?
 Has your identification or documentation been taken
from you?
 Is anyone forcing you to do anything that you do not
want to do?

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. The Mindset of a Human Trafficking
Victim
Mandatory Reporting – DCF

Must call Abuse Hotline:
◦
◦
◦
◦
Knows or reasonable cause to suspect
Abuse, neglect or exploitation
Of child or
Vulnerable adult
Anonymous
 800-96-ABUSE (800-962-2873)

Florida laws
Generally, align with federal law
 Define human trafficking, forced labor
 Criminal penalties
 Civil remedies
 Safe Harbor law for minors
 Florida Children’s Cabinet
 Other state activity

Federal Laws
◦ Immigration relief (IPV and trafficking)
◦ Eligible for refugee-type benefits:
welfare, child care, county health
services, housing, transportation, job
training, and language instruction –
trafficking
◦ International action - trafficking
Quick and Easy Next Steps
Post multi-lingual materials (brochures,
posters, cards) (in hall ways, bathrooms,
classrooms, etc.)
 Share materials w/all staff now professional and administrative staff
 Know your local resources + interpreters
you can trust
 Keep key numbers handy

Human Trafficking:
Resources in Florida

Center for the Advancement of Human Rights (CAHR),
Florida State University 850-644-4550;
www.cahr.fsu.edu

VIDA Legal Assistance – 786-525-9178
Florida Department of Children and Families,
Office of Refugee Services, 850-488-3791
http://www.myflfamilies.com/service-programs/humantrafficking

Robin Thompson, Senior Project Director, FSU - CAHR
robinhthompson@comcast.net or 850-907-0693

Human Trafficking:
National Resources
Health and Human Services: FREE STUFF
 Referral to aid organization in the victim's
area. Toll-free number (888-3737-888)
(www.acf.hhs.gov/trafficking)
Department of Justice:
 Trafficking in Persons and Worker
Exploitation Task Force Complaint Line
1-888-428-7581 (voice and TTY).
Thank you!

Questions?