Human Trafficking: Modern-Day Slavery

1. Human Trafficking:Modern-Day Slavery Project to End Human Trafficking Institute for Justice and Social Responsibility Carlow University

2. Topics Addressed • The Millennium Development Goals • What is human trafficking? • Forms of human trafficking • Who is trafficked? • Conditions faced by trafficking victims • International efforts to combat trafficking • Federal efforts to combat trafficking • How can I get involved?

3. Millennium Development Goals • In September 2000, at the United Nations Millennium Summit, there was agreement to a set of time bound (2015) and measurable goals for combating poverty, hunger, disease, illiteracy, environmental degradation and discrimination against women. • Placed at the heart of the global agenda, they are now called the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). • The MDGs provide a framework for the entire UN system to work coherently together towards a common end. • The UN Development Group (UNDG) will help ensure that the MDGs remain at the center of those efforts.

4. Millennium Development Goals 1. Eradicate Extreme Hunger & Poverty 2. Achieve Universal Primary Education 3. Promote Gender Equality 4. Reduce Child Mortality 5. Improve Maternal Health 6.Combat HIV/AIDS, Malaria (& other diseases) 7. Ensure Environmental Sustainability 8. Develop a Global Partnership for development

5. Human Trafficking Defined Trafficking in humans refers to all acts related to the recruitment, transport, sale, or purchase of individuals through force, fraud or other coercive means for the purpose of economic exploitation (UN Protocol on Trafficking, 2000).

6. Human Trafficking as Defined by the TVPA of 2000 The recruitment, harboring, transportation, provision or obtaining of persons for: • the purpose of a commercial sex act, in which the act is induced through force, fraud, or coercion, or in which the person forced to perform the act has not yet reached 18 years of age; OR • for labor or services, through the use of force, fraud, or coercion, for the purpose of subjection to involuntary servitude, peonage, debt bondage or slavery. Trafficking Victims Protection Act 2000

7. Trafficking versus Smuggling

9. Trafficking in Comparison to Other Criminal Industries • Trafficking in persons is the fastest-growing and second largest criminal industry in the world today. • It is second only to drug trafficking and fluctuates from being the second largest criminal industry to sharing that spot with the illegal arms industry.

10. Common Forms of Human Trafficking • Labor Trafficking • Sex Trafficking

11. Global Perspective on Labor Trafficking • Approximately 15-20 million in bonded labor in India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, & Nepal (Bales, 1999). • The remaining (of the estimated 27 million) are primarily in Southeast Asia, Northern & Western Africa, and parts of North & South America (Bales, 1999).

12. Agricultural Labor Southern Florida Agricultural Workers • Workers brought into US through a network ofcoyotes from various parts of Mexico to Florida. • Workers were unable to communicate with each other due to language barriers. • They were forced to work 8-12 hours per day, 6 days per week. • The workers were paid as little as $0.40 per 32 lbs. of produce. In order to earn $50, a worker must harvest two tons of produce. • Workers were threatened and physically punished if they attempted escape. Coalition for Immokalee Workers Website www.ciw-online.org

13. Factory or Sweatshop Labor Daewoosa Samoa Ltd. • More than 250 Chinese and Vietnamese were forced to work in a sweatshop in America Samoa. • 36 women shared one room, slept on bunk bed with foam mattresses. • Workers were given little food, and portions grew smaller as time passed. • Workers had to leave identification papers with a Samoan security guard if and when they left the compound. • Workers were physically reprimanded for missing curfew, eating too much food, and other missteps. Philadelphia City Paper – December, 2004

14. Domestic servitude United States v. Satia and Nanji • The defendants recruited a young Cameroonian girl with promises of attending a US school. • Upon arrival to the US, she was isolated, threatened, and forced through physical and sexual abuse to work in the home as a personal servant. • The criminals were convicted and sentenced to 108 months in prison, and were ordered to pay more than $100,000 in restitution to the victim. Testimony of John Malcom before Senate Judiciary Committee Available through usinfo.state.gov

15. Begging and Peddling A landmark case • In the late 1990s, a group of deaf-mute Mexicans was uncovered in New York City. The individuals were forced to sell 100 key chains each day, and turn the money over to their traffickers. • The victims often spent the day crossing town on the subway lines, placing the key chains on the seats next to passengers. Accompanying the trinkets was a note that read, “I’m deaf.” • The victims were physically abused if they returned to the living quarters with anything less than $100 each night. • It is believed that the ring extended beyond New York City.

16. Global Perspective on Sex Trafficking • Countries of origin primarily in South Asia, Southeast Asia, Latin America and the Caribbean, former Soviet republics, Eastern Europe, and Africa. • Countries of destination primarily include United States, Japan, Canada, and many countries in Western Europe.

17. Sex Trafficking • A study conducted by Free the Slaves in Washington, DC and the Human Rights Center at the University of California, Berkeley estimates that sex trafficking is the most common form of human trafficking in the United States. * Hidden slaves: Forced labor in the United States

18. Forced Prostitution United States v. Jimenez-Calderon • Two brothers lured young Mexican girls into romantic relationships, promising marriage and a better life in the United States. • The girls were then sent to New Jersey, where the men’s sisters forced the girls into prostitution. • The sisters forced the young girls to work seven days a week, and “service” up to six men each day. • The girls were not permitted to talk to one another or to their clients; to use the phone; or to go outside without supervision.

19. How Many People are Victims? • Statistics about instances of human trafficking vary widely. • The United States Department of State estimates that 600,000 to 800,000 individuals are trafficked across international borders each year (TIP, 2007, 2008). • Of these, 14,500 to 17,500 are trafficked into the United States each year.

20. Other Statistics • The International Labor Organization (ILO ) estimates there are 12.3 million people in forced labor, bonded labor, forced child labor, and sexual servitude at any given time. • Research by Kevin Bales indicates that 27 Million people are enslaved worldwide at any given time (2004). • Kathryn Farr’s research shows that 4 million people are enslaved worldwide at any given time, 1 million of whom are in sex slavery (2005).

21. Who is Trafficked? • Data suggest that women and girls comprise 80% of the individuals trafficked across national borders. • Approximately 70% of victims are trafficked for commercial sexual exploitation. • Data does not include the millions of individuals who are trafficked within their own countries. 2005, 2006 TIP Report

22. Child Slavery • Approximately half of the individuals trafficked across national border are children. • Children are often recruited for prostitution, pornography, domestic servitude, or other illegal activities. • International Labor Organization estimates that 246 million children and youth between the ages of 5 and 17 are presently involved in some type of debt bondage or forced labor. Rescue and Restore Victims of Human Trafficking Labor Trafficking Fact Sheet

23. Where are Victims in the US From? From The Protection Project at Johns Hopkins University

24. Issues Underlying Most Instances of Human Trafficking • Economic Instability • Gender Inequality

25. Economic Instability • According to the World Economic and Social Survey (UN, 2006), the income level in industrialized nations has grown steadily over the past fifty years. • The income level in most developing countries has not experienced similar growth. • Links to gender inequality: those disproportionately disadvantaged economically are women (i.e. caretakers of children).

26. Examples of the Unequal Distribution of Wealth • Half the world - nearly three billion people - live on less than $2 a day. • The Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of the poorest 48 nations (i.e. ¼ of the world’s countries) is less than the wealth of the world’s three richest people combined. • 20% of the population in more developed nations, consume 86% of the world’s goods.

27. The Economics of Human Trafficking Supply Demand

28. Supply Factors • Poverty • Political instability • Social unrest or armed conflict • Real or perceived opportunity for a better life • Absence of social safety net • Absence of employment opportunities • Violence against women and children

29. Demand Factors • Demand for sex work • Demand for prostitution and other aspects of the sex industry is high throughout the world. • Demand for cheap labor • Corporations seek to produce their product at the lowest possible cost. • Potential profits are very high • Trafficked persons can be bought and sold many time.

30. How it Happens: Key Elements in the Trafficking Process • Structure • Organized Crime Groups • Russian Mafia • Ukrainian Mafia • Japanese Yakuza • Chinese Triads • Albanian Mafias • Crime Networks • Traffickers • Multiple Roles & Process • Corruption • Victim Vulnerability

31. Physically demanding work Under constant watch or supervision Physical and psychological abuse and/or trauma Threats of physical harm or deportation Long hours & little or no compensation Isolation from the public and from other victims High risk for work-related injuries High risk for sexually transmitted diseases Little or no medical attention Malnourishment Living and Working Conditions Faced by Trafficking Victims

32. Methods of Control • Finances • Identification Documents • Isolation • Physical Harm or Threat to Harm • Additional Psychological/Physical Methods

33. Victim Experiences/Characteristics • Feelings of shame • Fear of others, including potential helpers • Fear of reprisal from traffickers • May not be native English speakers or speak English at all • May have difficulty trusting potential helpers • Not present or even perceive themselves as victims

34. International Efforts • Global Program Against Trafficking in Human Beings (GPAT), initiated in March 1999; assists Member States in efforts to combat trafficking. • United Nations equivalent of the TVPA is referred to as The Protocol to Prevent, Suppress and Punish Trafficking in Persons (adopted November 2000) • The Protocol was drafted by UN Member States as part of the UN Convention against Transnational Organized Crime.

35. International Efforts by Non-Governmental Organizations • The Coalition Against Trafficking in Women (CATW) – NGO that works internationally to combat sexual exploitation, especially prostitution and trafficking in women and children. • The Protection Project The goal of the Protection Project is to research and document the global scope of the problem of trafficking in persons • Free the Slaves • Anti-Slavery InternationalOldest human rights organization in world. Works at local, national and international levels to eliminate the system of slavery around the world. • Global Alliance Against Traffic in Women (GAATW) - Alliance of over 80 NGOs from all regions of the world. • La Strada Ceska Republika - Works to prevent the trafficking of women in Central and Eastern Europe

36. Federal Efforts to Combat Human Trafficking • The Trafficking Victims Protection Act of 2000 and 2003 (TVPA) • Defined “severe forms of human trafficking”. • Made human trafficking a federal crime. • Created sentencing guidelines for traffickers. • Gave victims of human trafficking access to federal benefits and immigration relief.

37. Primary Goals of the TVPA • Prevention of human trafficking overseas • Protection of victims and assistance in rebuilding victims’ lives in the US • Prosecution of traffickers

38. The Trafficking in Persons Report • The Department of State is required by law to submit a Report each year to the U.S. Congress on foreign governments' efforts to eliminate severe forms of trafficking in persons. • Purpose of the TIP is to raise global awareness, highlight efforts of the international community, and encourage foreign governments to take action to counter all forms of human trafficking.

39. Benefits and Services for Pre-Certified & Certified Victims of Human Trafficking

40. Options for Trafficked Persons • Return to country of origin • Cooperate with law enforcement in the investigation and prosecution of a case. • This may include a number of interviews with law enforcement, testifying in court, or other reasonable requests. • The outcome of cooperating with law enforcement may include: • Social services and public benefits • Continued Presence or T Visa Authorization • Ability to bring family into the United States • Certification

41. What Can I Do? • Individual Activism • Professionally

42. Websites for More Information • Fact sheets and print materials: • www.acf.hhs.gov/trafficking • Papers and fact sheets: • www.protectionproject.org • Toolkits and databases: • www.polarisproject.org • www.humantrafficking.com • Other websites: • www.justice.gov/trafficking • www.usccb.org/mrs/traffickingweb.htm • www.endhumantrafficking.org

43. References • Outshoorn, J. (2004). The Politics of Prostitution: Women's Movements, Democratic States and the Globalisation of Sex Commerce. Cambridge University Press • Kempadoo, K. (2005). Trafficking And Prostitution Reconsidered: New Perspectives On Migration, Sex Work, And Human Rights. • Masika, R. (2002). Gender, Trafficking and Slavery (Focus on Gender Series). • O’Connell Davidson, J. (2005). Children and the Global Sex Trade • Guinn, D. & Stealich, E. (2003). In Modern Bondage: Sex Trafficking in the Americas: National and Regional Overview of Central America and the Caribbean: Belize, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua and Panama • Schaffner, L. & Bernstein, E. (2004).Regulating Sex: The Politics of Intimacy and Identity(Perspectives on Gender Series) • Farr, K. (2005). Sex Trafficking: The Global Market in Women and Children. • Free the Slaves