Ecumenical Conference on Human Trafficking
Multiple Perspectives to Addressing this Complex Issue
Sponsored by National
Council of Churches – Justice for Women Working Group & United Methodist
Women’s Division United Methodist Seminar Program on National and
International Affairs
Panel Presentation
Facilitator:
Jay Godfrey – United Methodist Women’s Division - United Methodist Seminar Program on National and International Affair
Presenters:
Virginia Nesmith National Farm Worker Ministry
Helene Hayes – Sister of Good Shepherd
Rani Hong – Founder of the Tronie Foundation and Homes of Freedom
Helene Hayes – Bio – Presented information about a survey of 65 women who have/are trafficked. Countries chosen for this survey were ones where the Sisters of the Good Shepherd had established relationships with adolescents. In the United States, 10 women were interviewed – NYC, Rochester, MN, Philadelphia, Wash DC. Total # of interviews were 65 – documented victims of trafficking. Women came from 17 different countries. Research examined their life situations pre-trafficking and then after being trafficking. Looked at best practices regarding treatment. Helene is now doing an in-depth analysis of each country.
What was the hardest part of being trafficked?
Direct quotes were shared. Threats, abuse, hazardous working conditions, de-humanizing, silence and fear, compliance and feelings of having no choices. Now, bitterness, hatred – feeling the situation was unreal and in-imaginable, alone, can’t forget what happened.
What was your greatest fear?
Feelings of wanting death, insanity, blackmailed, envy of other women who killed themselves, lack of value for their own lives. Dreams were dead. Fear of being raped.
What was the most damaging aspect of being trafficked? Service Providers’ testimonies:
Psychologically and physically, women come with nothing. Identity has been stolen. De-humanized, a piece of merchandise, girls lack confidence, brag, shame, parts of personality destroyed, irreparable harm done, capacity to love is gone, great violence, damage to bodies. No freedom…total slavery.
Why did “victims” come forward?
Silence will steal the fate of other women around the women. These women agreed to be interviewed as a visible witness to other women in similar circumstances.
Women are expendable and commodities in the marketplace. Helene hopes to publish a book that documents this crime of dehumanization.
Quote from Martin Luther King: “Our lives begin to end on the day when we are silent on things that matter.”
Rani Hong – bio
Viewed a brief film clip. “Rani and Trong Hong” – from the Oprah Show
Rani shared her life story. Born in India and at the age of 7 was kidnapped, tortured, beaten and psychologically traumatized.
Trong, who was Vietnamese, reported that his father had him go away to avoid being conscripted by the Viet Cong. Trong ended up being trafficked by “pirates”. Saw people raped and murdered before his eyes.
Both Rani and Trong were trafficked and both eventually were adopted by US families. Eventually they met, fell in love, married and had children.
Rani urged participants to speak up. She posed the question – “Why me?” Greed. Opportunistic crime – children at the wrong place at the wrong time, broken promises. Paul, her broker, had to de-humanized her in order to “sell” her as a commodity – sold over and over again. Profit is huge. Drug smugglers – victims are used for the broker’s advantage. Who will pay the highest price? Rani was sold and beaten. Changed her name, took her passport – all in the name of profit. “I became nothing”. “After so long, I lost my value but there was one last thing – sold for an international adoption. Turned out to be a good thing.”
“Traffickers continue not to be prosecuted which is why I’m not staying silent. We need to raise an army of survivors.”
Her adopted mom gave her hope and value and told her she believed in her. Rani has launched a Foundation to address this issue, the Tronic Foundation located in Washington State.
Virginia Nesmith – bio
Presented information about a different kind of trafficking – agriculture slavery. Many farm workers are immigrants and have come from all parts of the world. Many paid to come to US, or some paid with their life. Two to three million farm workers are in the United States and up to 10% are in debt bondage. Particular cases in farm slavery – mass slavery of workers – poor people who needed work, worked 12 hour days, 6-7 days/week, intimidated, pistol-whipped. An advocacy group found out and rescued the workers. Just recently in Florida five brothers convicted for locking workers in trucks, chaining and beating then. One case involved homeless men who were picked up, provided crack cocaine, now addicted, worked in the fields. These men were picking potatoes when discovered.
Virginia gave examples about how this kind of abuse has happened within the systems; one of those convicted for enslaving workers was a labor contractor for an officer of the Florida Fruit and Vegetable Association.(FFVA) who thought the contractor was fine. Companies like Mc Donalds, Burger King and others initially thought they could solve problems in the fields by working through the FFVA, rather than in partnership with workers, but obviously that is not the case. Justice Department is getting more aggressive regarding these cases, but not all cases are as visible – some are hidden in rural areas.
What can one do?
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Educate people
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Train people in various languages to deal with this issue – e.g., Spanish
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Know the signs of trafficking
And most important:
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Support the opportunity for legalization for farm workers – farm workers who don’t have to worry about having their papers taken away, are much more likely to speak up.
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Support organizing efforts so that workers know their rights and are empowered to address abuses.
Q&A –
Question for Rani: “How was your relationship with your adopted mom?”
Answer: She died when I was 16 and didn’t really know about my past. She didn’t understand. Rani believed her birthmom was dead and when she found her birthmom, she finally understood. Children can be so misled.
Question: “What is it going to take to truly challenge the traffickers who are making money off this? How do we generate the will in the public?”
Answer (Virginia): More education is needed. Need to look at free trade agreements, multifaceted issue, must address poverty, how do we treat “undocumented people” – do we treat them as normal human beings” We need to organize – work with companies – make sure businesses don’t work with traffickers. Work with farm labor organizations. Must support very specific campaigns in farm labor. Pay attention to farm labor camps in your community.
Answer: (Helene) We really need to point to global conditions that traffickers take advantage of – poverty and gender discrimination. Need to take a look at how globalization is feminizing poverty – plus need to address the supply and demand of sex trade. Economic instabilities within country are fertile grounds. Used Sri Lanka as an example – no law against trafficking so women were arrested as prostitutes and ended up in prison.
We need to challenge men’s belief that they have a “right” to sexual favors.
Answer: (Jay) I can say that as a man, I’m very aware of how women are viewed and portrayed as objects.
Question: I’m interested in terminology – “trafficking” and “enslavement” – Seems like people connect deeper with the use of the word “slavery.” What’s the difference?
Answer: (Helene) There need to be state laws because Federal money doesn’t come down to local level. Language is now beginning to be a more known and acceptable term – I use “trafficking as a form of slavery.”
Answer: (Virginia) There are several terms – debt bondage, slavery, indentured servitude. “We need to create structures which will force people to be good.”
Answer: (Rani) We must not victimize the victim. Don’t call them prostitutes!
Question: What about the link between domestic violence and trafficking?
Answer: (Helene) I think domestic violence is different. It does not fall under the same definition as trafficking – no profit is involved.
Objectification of Women – Women internalize their own objectification which make trafficking “easier”. We need to make connections when children are young – must stop sexualize them!
Resource: STOP WAR Cultures website referenced.
Question: What is the difference between prostitution and trafficking?
Answer: (Helene) It’s a matter of “free will.” Issue of prostitution is a different one – women are more free to leave. I think very few women actually “chose” prostitution.
Comment: Some of our theology supports misogyny and supports trafficking and the objectification/marginalization of women.
Virginia – need laws that punish traffickers and are tough.
Question: Is there a witness protection program?
Answer: (Helene) Yes, there is a program in Federal government – known as the T-visa. The law was changed recently so the trafficked women don’t have to testify against their trafficker.
There are shelters for trafficked victims. Traffickers are ruthless – they murder victims who turn them in.
Answer: (Virginia) There are far more arrests and convictions. Coalitions are emerging in various cities. Virginia will provide a list of cities that have formed these coalitions.
Rescue and Restore – HHS – Covenant House provides a safe haven in collaboration with government.
About 36 states that have human trafficking initiative receive money from Federal government. The Polaris Project is a great project. Law enforcement receives insufficient training. Not enough being done with our partner countries and how the US could help enforce this. e.g., sweat shops.
Question: Does anyone know of groups of men getting together to discuss this issue? Anyone done anything with a faith-based organizing model?
Answer:
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Share Hope International
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Take John to John School
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Men Can Stop Rape – DC
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Men Against Domestic Violence – Video called “Tough Guys” - “The Macho Paradox” – box by Jackson Pace.
Answer: (Virginia) We have a very migratory society. In so many countries, people who are isolated are very vulnerable. We also need to work to enable people to have sufficient work in their home countries so they don’t have to migrate.
Question: What is the connection with on-line pornography and actual trafficking or in-person sex with another. Our churches could be much more active.
Answer: (participant) Nigeria has really worked against trafficking. In past 3-4 years, a trend has occurred between medical workers and young girls. These medical workers harbor these girls when pregnant - men are hired to impregnate girls, children are born and sold. Birth factories. Americans and Europeans are buying these children.
Resource : WCC Council - PASCT…. www.chaste.org.uk
Focus is to alert churches across Europe of this issue and how to get involved.
National Farmworker Ministry addresses this. www.nfwm.org. Rural immigrant women in Florida and southeast are also being trafficked.
EPCAT is another wonderful resource.
Question: How do we know about the reliability of these website?
Answer: It takes all of us. We need to train our clergy regarding violence and how to handle it. And, clergy need assistance
Question: Have any of the denominations done anything via email?
Answer: (Participant) Disciples of Christ are going to develop a video on this issue. Youtube is a great resource.
Answer: (Ann) NCCJWWG has given this a high priority.
Resource: Maryknoll – “Lives for Sale” DVD.
Question: What about producing curriculum for young people?
Answer: We need to make the connection between oppression of workers and violence.
Answer: (Loey) The UCC Centers for Social Transformation are developing programs for immersions for church folks e.g., immersion in the immigration/migrant issue in North Carolina. And, also doing immersions in Tijuana.
Question: What about statistics on trafficking re: boys?
Comment: (Ann) We need to do the theological grounding when working with clergy and/or laity on this issue.
Comment: (Jay) We need to counteract the dangerous theological language.
Notes taken by Linda Bales