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
Ecumenical Conference on Human Trafficking -Tuesday September 30, 2008
Panel Secular Organizations Addressing Trafficking
Facilitator: Nancy Murphy – Faith Trust Institute
Presenters:
Laura Lederer – US State Department
Carol Smolenski – ECPAT-USA
Sonia Ossorio
Laura Lederer – Senior Director for Global Projects on Trafficking in Persons, US State Dept
(Resource – Trafficking in Persons Report June 2008 – Dept of State USA)
Hopes for International event in future…
8 yrs into the law
Trafficking Victims Protection Act 2000 – broadened definition to include transporters, buyers etc, - increased penalties to 20 yrs to life – victim centered approach – mandated creation of presidents task force interagency plus policy group www.state.gov type in trafficking and persons – assess and rates every country and produces annual report
tier 3 – loose non humanitarian funds
Definition of Trafficking – every country has its own def and law – UN has a protocol
Grounded in stories
1.1 mil US Govt estimates across international borders.. 17,000 across US borders. doesn’t take account internal trafficking.
Only issue that does not have aggregate number to help identify scope of problem.
Dept of Justice has over 40 taskforces that link fed and local law enforcement to assist frontline.
Dept of Health and Human Services – Rescue and Recovery educational materials.
Dept of Labor – will come out with a list of all companies that involve child labor etc.
Training DVD – Border Protection – Homeland Security
Dept of Defense – 100% Tipp training for all military etc. new statute No military to attend brothels while on R&R
Cutting Edge Issues that office is working on
Survivor Center Approaches – great deal to offer in anti trafficking approach. In order to strengthen programs. Double witness statutes were helped identified by survivors. They design most successful reintegration programs. 1,200 T visas we have given.
How can we use new technology to promote safe technologies? Ambassador Legon has met with President Craigslist. Tip Report
Carol Smolenski – Executive Director, End Child Prostitution, Child Pornography and Child Trafficking for Sexual Purposes USA
First started in 1991 at NCCC in Interchurch Center
originally just focused around sex tourism with children in Asia –
Reason to be optimistic due to additional awareness, enforcement, support for victims etc. Keep up the good work.
What we do in USA – no direct service, research, training, policy
kids who are trafficked into and around US for sexual exploitation, sex tourism.
def in law– has important language around children – under 18 used in commercial sex act then classifies as a victim not a criminal. Problem at state level where some are treated as bad kid who needs to go to jail rather than a victim who needs assistance
Protect Act – Fed leg 2003 – makes it possible to prosecute folks who are involved in sex tourism and come back to US. Extraterritorially legislation etc.
What you can do….. disparity how children and seen and treated – media around pre-pubescent kids who are abused by pedophiles – whole category of child abusers who society doesn’t see as a problem– under 18 but post pubescent and integrated into prostitution – with men its ok to be with those women. Talk to men about sex industry in general…not a victimless crime.
Making sure that churches are providing mentoring available for every child – assistance for kids, safe environment, needs to be a conversation with our children.
Sex Tourism – Code of Conduct for Travel Industry – take voluntary steps to not be involved in sex tourism – list of companies who have signed a code. Work with Interfaith Corporate Responsibility group.
Sonia Ossorio – President, National Organization for Women – NY
Working with Publications in NY to get them to agree not to advertisers from sex industry. Trafficking Free NYC
Adult Sections – so blatant where men would rate brothels etc. They track ads.. Need to do diligence. Need to have a license – you can require proof of license etc.
Public Service Announcement –phone number to call also focus on minority publications.
JFK main entry point in this country
Pass state laws – movement to deal with this..2007 NY law 33rd state to do so. polarisproject.org
Woodley Gaston example – approached 16yr old as she was leaving school. 2 weeks serviced 200 men advertised her on Craig’s list.
Safe Harbor Act – gov just signed act for exploited youth – what it does starts to change thinking about how we arrest young people for prostitution providing more services instead of detention. only on first offense and only if under 16.
John Jay College – networked 4,000 kids involved in sex trade in NY – 85% girls 67% African American. 75% street prostitution – pay by hour hotels.
Up State NY more being done by friends , acquaintances and video used etc.
Action – Ask a Cop – crew of volunteers asking on the street a cop a few questions? Information isn’t filtering down to front line police.
Check Yellow Pages – Escort - $45,000 for full page ad. sketches of children.
Female Chauvinists Pigs – areil levy – way to articulate position
Land of Lost innocence – Somali Mam
Questions –
Public/Private Partnerships – need involvement of corporations however it is very challenging. Identify ways to get across message – eradicate illegitimate tourism and promote legitimate tourism.
Any new mechanisms for kids to be recognized other than T-Visa’s ? Good news is Dept of Health Human Services/ Homeland Security etc will allow states to identify and certify without going through the law enforcement processes.
TVPRA – 2007 every 2 yrs re-authorization debate over def. of trafficking. forced, fraud, or coercision.
Dept Justice/ Dept of Labor / should provide a state by state analysis similar to traffic king in persons report.
Polaris Project needs a faith based link. They are clearing house.
notes taken by Joanne Reich