What is Human Trafficking?
Human Trafficking is modern day slavery and it is a serious global crime violating human rights and dignity. The US State Department calculated an estimate of 600,000 - 800,000 people are trafficked around the world and it's the second highest crime in America behind drugs. According to the CIA, people are trafficked into the United States from Africa, Asia, Europe, Latin America, and South America.
Victims of trafficking come from social and economical oppressed situations. They are lured into the business by false promises of a better life and better wages. Once the victims arrive at their destination they are confronted with inhumane working conditions such as, prostitution, forced labor in factories and restaurants. These people have to work long hours, in harsh conditions against their will, and often times they do not get paid. People who are trafficked find themselves in debt with their traffickers for "borrowing" money to access passage, lodging, and food. Therefore even if the victims get paid for their work most of the money will go towards paying off their debt, leaving a small portion of wealth for the individual to support themselves and sending money back home.
The key issues to human trafficking are preventing the industry from growing, protecting the victims, and prosecuting the traffickers. This website's goal is to bring awareness to our audience members on the seriousness of trafficking issues and empower a network of government officials, law enforcements, non-government organizations (NGOs), communities, and individuals to help solve this horrific reality of human trafficking. This network will mainly focus in Orange County , CA , to bring justice and relief to the victims and prevent this inhumane crime to foster.
Quick Facts
Source: June 2004 Assessment of U.S. Government Activities in combating Trafficking in Person
· U.S. estimates 14,500-17,500 people are trafficked into the U.S. annually (based on slightly different data analysis, this number is different from the previously reported 2003 assessment)
· In 2004, trafficked victims were from : Africa, East Asia and the Pacific, Europe and Euasia, Near East, South Asia, and the Western Hemisphere
80% female- 70% of which were for commercial sex industry
2/3 global victims were trafficked within East Asia and the Pacific (260,000-280,000) and Europe and Eurasia (170,000-210,000)
Largest denomination trafficked into the U.S. were from East Asia and the Pacific (5000- 7000), followed by Latin America and Europe and Eurasia
• December 2003, formal establishment of the Senior Policy Operating Group on Trafficking in Persons (SPOG)
• From 2000- Fiscal Year 2003, 448 certifications have been issued to adult trafficking victims as per Dept. of Health and Human Services' Office of Refugee Resettlement.
• 151 were certified in FY 2003
• Greatest concentrations of victims: California , Oklahoma , Texas , and New York .
• Largest number of victims were: India (38%), Vietnam (11%), Mexico (9%), Indonesia (5%), Tonga (5%), Zambia (5%), and Thailand (4%)
• Office for Victims of Crime conferred 12 grants (total $9.7 million) to NGOs to provide services during "pre-certification" period to the victims.
• During the first year of operation ( Jan. 1, 2003-Dec. 31, 2003) the grantees helped 200 victims.
• Legal Services Corporation grantees helped provide legal assistance from counsel to representation to 81 persons.
• In FY 2003, 297 out of 601 applications for T visas were approved.
Benefits and Services
• Department of Health and Human Services [Under sections 107(b)(1) and 9B)(2) of TVPA and section 107(c)]
• Adult victims who are "certified" can get federal benefits: cash assistance, medical care (physical and mental), counseling, food stamps, housing, find employment
• Minors receive eligibility letters for the same benefits without having to be "certified".
• Federal authorities must not only identify the trafficked victims but also inform them of their rights and protections. 66 Fed. Reg. 38514 - gave procedures for federal employees to carry out said requirements.
• Office of Resettlement- Division of Dept of Health and Human Services
• Trafficked victims are also eligible for benefits prescribed for refugees
• Encourage certified trafficking victims to participate in other assistance programs: Voluntary Agency Matching Grant Programs, Refugee cash and Medical Assitance program, Unaccompanied Refugee Minors Program, USDA Food and Nutrition Service
• Voluntary Agency Matching Grant Program
• Congress funded, these agencies match $1 with every $2 from Office of Refugee Resettlement.
• Goal is the attainment of self-sufficiency within 4 months of eligibility
• NGOs offer job counseling and placement in addition to food, housing, and transportation assistance
• Enrollment in this program requires the victims to get employment authorization from Department of Homeland Security
• Refugee cash and medical assistance program
• Gives "transitional assistance up to 8 months" but the value of assistance depends on level of income
• Gives assistance to those not eligible for Temporary Assistance for Needy Families, Medicaid, or SSI.
• Benefits begin with certification
• Unaccompanied Refugee Minors Program
• Victims under 18 are eligible to receive benefits including: housing, comprehensive care of medical and mental health services, education, job skills training, counseling, legal assistance, and even family tracing.
• USDA Food and Nutrition Services
• Food stamp program, Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children, School Lunch Program, and etc help provide food assistance
• Office for Victims of Crime
• Reward grants to NGOs to provide comprehensive services (immediate housing) to victims during "pre-certification period"
• Compensation programs to "reimburse crime victims for crime-related expenses"
• Department of Labor's Employment and Training
• Help victims with job search assistance, career counseling, occupational skills training through local One-Stop services
• Legal Services Corporation
• Private, non-profit corporation established by Congress to help give legal assistance to those who cannot afford legal aid.
• Under TPVA (Trafficking Protection Victims Act), trafficked victims are eligible for legal assistance from Legal Services Corporation
• Immigration Benefits
• "Continued presence"- victims who are potential witnesses to trafficking prosecution or investigations may stay in the U.S. through the approval of the Department of Homeland Security.
• T-visa- Victims can attain a T-nonimmigrant status from the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services if they will comply with current investigation or prosecution of the offenders.
• Victims can stay up to 3 years with a T-visa at which time they can apply for permanent resident status.
• U.S. Immigration and Custom Enforcement
• As of October 2002, U.S. Public Health Sservice and Department of State and Justice will put greater focus to address the health aspects of trafficked victims. (Main problems include Hep. B and TB)
• Establishment of a Toll-free line for victims and NGOs
• Limited funds are made available for purchasing needed items for the victims through "Special Agent in Charge" office
• 75 retrofitted cars are used to help transport victims in confidentiality
• Nationwide translation services are made available
• Funds to purchase teddy bears for too traumatized juvenile trafficked victims. This has been shown to help the children feel more comfortable.
© Anna Leung
|
