Human Trafficking: modern day slavery in the United States

UAB’S OFFICIAL STUDENT NEWSPAPER

VOLUME 64, ISSUE 10

Human Trafficking:

TUESDAY, JANUARY, 28, 2020

modern day slavery in the United States

An overview of trafficking in Alabama with safety tips and statistics.

PHOTO BY DREW CRENSHAW/ PHOTO EDITOR

A detective’s fight to end trafficking.

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A step by step visual guide on how to fight P. 3 predators.

Alabama data on Human Trafficking

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TUESDAY, JAN. 28 , 2019

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PHOTO BY HANNAH WARREN/ STAFF REPORTER

Birmingham Police against trafficking One detective shares how she tries to combat sex trafficking

Interviews are used to gather information needed for the department to help a victim. In one case that Detective Fitzgerald had, an interview led to a victim’s placement in a safe place and her case going through the court system. For this case, getting the Hannah Warren victim to a safe place was used as a preventative Staff Reporter measure. hbwarren@uab.edu The department will also transport victims to the safe place they need to go, added Detective Fitzgerald. Two programs for victims in the state are Last year, the Birmingham Police Department the WellHouse and Safe Harbor Youth. was called to UAB Hospital. The staff at the hospital There are many signs of trafficking that citizens can had identified a minor as a potential trafficking look out for. Signs of trafficking include physical victim. Once the police got to the scene and injuries, lack of credentials, running away, and interviewed the victim, they were able to lack of school attendance said Detective provide help.

Fitzgerald. Traffickers will use physical “She opened up a lot; this girl had been violence and hold a victim’s identification trafficked probably by three different as ways to maintain their control. Running people,” said Detective Erin Valentine away frequently is a sign of trafficking seen in Fitzgerald. juveniles.

The Department was able to get her to a “They’re either running from something or safe place and get her case through the court they’re running to something,” said Detective system. Then she was able to be placed in a Fitzgerald Fitzgerald. recovery program and was transported to the She added that in these cases, the trafficker program by the department. will provide the victim with necessities. Detective Detective Erin Valentine Fitzgerald is a detective Fitzgerald notes that familial trafficking can be for the Birmingham Police Department. She works identified by lack of school attendance, but in some as a part of the Special Victims Unit, which handles cases the child may be sent to school to make things sex trafficking. The department also works missing appear to be normal. persons, domestic, animal Locations of trafficking can vary, cruelty, child abuse, runaways, Erin Fitzgerald but some hotspots are hotels, and sexual assaults.

“Sometimes you can get a massage parlors, truck stops, “Sometimes you can get a victim that’s used 40 times a strip clubs, schools and sororities, victim that’s used 40 times a day, because unlike a drug or Detective Fitzgerald specified. She day,” said Detective Fitzgerald, substance that you have to make added that traffickers have been “Because unlike a drug or more of, you can use that person known to send children into schools substance that you have to over and over again.” to recruit other children. make more of, you can use that They will get the “child to befriend person over and over again.” particular children and draw them The Birmingham Police into it,” said Detective Fitzgerald.

Department works to combat trafficking by doing Aside from physical locations, like strips clubs follow-ups, interviews, and helping victims get to a or hotels, certain roadways can be areas where safe place said Detective Fitzgerald. trafficking takes place.

Follow-ups are done with runaways when “The I 20 Corridor, it runs between Birmingham and trafficking is suspected; in follow-ups the runaway is Atlanta, is a major thoroughfare for human trafficking,” asked questions to help determine if trafficking may Detective Fitzgerald added. be taking place she explained.

The public can report suspected accounts of trafficking to the police or to federal resources.

“There’s no penalty for calling something in good faith,” said Detective Fitzgerald.

It is better to be safe than sorry, she added.

Within the Department of Homeland Security there is the Blue Campaign.

The program intends to educate the public, law enforcement and other industry partners about the signs of trafficking and how to respond appropriately according to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). This program has training and materials for law enforcement. Its aim is to “increase detection of human trafficking, and to identify victims” (DHS).

Ways that the public can keep themselves safe include being aware of their surroundings, being careful on social media, meeting people in public places and letting someone know where they are going.

Detective Fitzgerald stressed that research should be done before answering ads for jobs or replying to things on social media. When meeting someone take someone with you and/or meet in a public place, sh said.

Additionally, “58% of trafficking victims are minors,” said Detective Fitzgerald, and “a female can make a trafficker as much as the estimated amount of $250,000 a year.”

Tips from Detective Fitzgerald -To spot trafficking victims, look for physical injuries, lack of credentials, running away and lack of school attendance.

- Hotspots for trafficking are hotels, massage parlors, truck stops, strip clubs, schools and sororities, especially along I-20 -Keep yourself safe by being aware of your surroundings, being careful on social media, meeting people in public places and letting someone know where you are going.

- Do research before responding to job ads or things on social media.

What to look for on social media

January is human trafficking awareness month, and this issue is entirely dedicated to that. Be sure to check out our social media throughout the week for videos, audio of interviews and even more details about trafficking.

- Audio of an interview with a victim from Wellhouse, a safehouse for women who have been victims of

sexual assault.

- Audio of an interview with a trucker who shared his run-in’s with human trafficking over the years - Video of opinion columnists Hannah Richey sharing her opinion on the issue of human trafficking.

- Step-by-step video of basic self-defense.

- Audio with another trucker about his encounters of trafficking and what he tries to do to help.

@kaleidoscopeuab

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TUESDAY, JAN 28 , 2020

Juhee’s Corner

Know the signs of human trafficking Juhee Agrawal Contributing Reporter jagrawal@uab.edu

only know from social media? If you hear a red flag, follow it. Worst case, it is a false alarm, and the person you care about is slightly annoyed.

Best case, you have saved their life.

Human trafficking explained: Also listen to the way that people around you share information. Do their stories sound You have probably heard the terms rehearsed? Do they continue leaving key human trafficking or sex trafficking, but do details out of their story, even when asked you know what they really mean? Human directly? The Human Trafficking Hotline trafficking, also known as “modern-day notes that these are warning signs for slavery,” is using force to get people to act someone who is trapped. against their will. Although sex trafficking The Human Trafficking Hotline also is commonly recognized, labor trafficking recommends looking at the person with is also prevalent. This means that people whom you are concerned. Do they have are coerced into doing sexual acts or other bruises or scars? Sometimes, abusers will jobs against their will.

Agrawal brand or tattoo their name on their victims, so this is something to look for, too. Does the person seem fearful of law enforcement?

How to recognize human Do they own few possessions and not have trafficking: direct access to their wages from work? Do they excessively use mind-altering substances and When talking to others, listen for details that seem to be protective of their boss? These are all sound too good to be true, according to the reasons to be concerned.

Polaris Project. For instance, did a classmate This list is not comprehensive and not mention that their new partner (whom they had diagnostic.

Someone may meet all these criteria just started dating a week ago) has offered to buy and not be trafficked. On the other hand, someone them an apartment? Did your friend respond to a could be trafficked and not “look the part.” Human job search offering lots of money for an easy time trafficking affects people of all backgrounds, so commitment? Is your sibling planning to meet up the best thing to do is express your concern if the alone in an unsafe location with someone they

thought crosses your mind. Your concern could have the potential to save them from slavery.

What to do if you suspect human trafficking: Now that you are concerned, what should you do next? The first step is to educate yourself on community and national resources.

Hotlines: Call the WellHouse or the National Human Trafficking Hotline: the WellHouse’s emergency hotline is 1-800-991-0948. The National Human Trafficking Hotline is 1-888-3737888, and their textline is 233733. Importantly, call 911 too. They will be able to provide more immediate help.

Care Centers: the WellHouse writes on their website that they are a faith-based organization that provides rehabilitation services for female survivors of human trafficking. They provide a shelter as well as services to support the transition into a new normal for these women. When you call the WellHouse, they can help coordinate how to rescue the person in question from human trafficking.

Online resources: read more about recognizing signs and supporting victims of human trafficking through the Polaris Project, End it Alabama, and the DHS’s Blue Campaign.

Step-by-step self-defense from an attacker

1. The attacker reaches to grab the woman. She breaks his grip and grabs his wrist for control.

4. She continues the motion of “sweeping” or “scissoring” her legs together to flip her attacker on his back.

2. She then drops to the ground pulling the attacker towards her.

3. She places her left leg on his right hip and her right leg hooked on the outside of his left leg.

5. There she has now “mounted” her attacker and he has left his right arm exposed.

6. Finally, she pivots her body perpendicular to his, bringing his arm between her legs and thrusting her hips from the ground into his elbow, completing the “arm-bar” submission.

PHOTOS BY PAYTON PARRISH/VIDEO EDITOR

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Criminalization of self-defense could be prosecuted under prostitution laws or turned away from pressing charges.

This is a problem for young victims because the may not even know their trafficker. Traffickers could be forcing them from behind a screen to take pictures and videos under threat of exposure to their community.

Sex trafficking and sexual assault victims are If victims don’t know their assailant they may often prosecuted under prostitution laws or for defending themselves from their attackers. This is not know if they can press charges, especially with the threat of being charged themselves for a problem that many underaged victims face. taking nude pictures while underaged.

A high-profile case where this happened is Children and teenagers have been charged with Cyntoia Brown-Long. She was charged with with sex crimes because of sharing nude murder at 16 years old after shooting a man photographs but the conversation who attempted to pay her for sex. surrounding what influenced them to do Brown-Long was approached by a that is lacking. man on the night of August 6, 2004 in The criminalization and prosecution of Nashville. He payed her $150 for sex but underaged victims of trafficking is also Brown-Long claims she feared for her life concerning because they cannot consent when he allegedly reached for a gun.

PHOTO COURTESY OF GOOGLE IMAGES to sex. On every level they were violated Her fear led to her shooting the man and Cyntoia Brown-Long and her husband J. Long. yet only four states have laws that prevent killing him. their prosecution according to Shared Hope Brown-Long was sentenced to life in FOSTA-SESTA only sought to incriminate online Richey International. prison at 16 years old but after a social platforms where trafficking happens, not the Laws like Allow States and Victims to media campaign her sentence was traffickers.

The efficacy of it has yet to be proven.

Fight Online Sex Trafficking Act (FOSTA) and commuted, and she was released on August 7, Adult sex trafficking victims also are afraid Stop Enabling Sex Traffickers Act (SESTA) aim 2019. to come forward due to fear of retaliation from to stop sex trafficking online but in reality, made Brown-Long is not the only minor charged traffickers. traffickers harder to find because they receded for defending herself when approached for sex.

Their fear stems from the fact that traffickers further into areas of the internet that are less Many others are not just charged for defending are not just masked men visible. themselves, they are charged for being grabbing them on the street The bills also ignore approached for sex in the first place. corner. Traffickers can be Richey trafficking that happens Sex trafficking victims are highly at risk for family members or friends.

This fear stems from the fact that right before our eyes and prosecution, but few states have ensured that Because of their status as didn’t protect children they can’t be prosecuted. This is due to outdated traffickers are not just masked men family and friends, they have as intended. Children on assumptions that underaged people can be grabbing them on the street corner. a unique hold on their victims Instagram are preyed prostitutes and that it’s their fault and not their as well as a possible alibi that Traffickers can be family members or on by adults and we are assailant’s fault. stops law enforcement from friends. none the wiser because States and the federal government need to taking victims seriously. they’re afraid to speak up. legislate care for victims so their trauma won’t be Safety of victims needs The bill doesn’t help victims like Brown-Long ignored. to be the priority above all else and prosecuting either. She was approached by the man inWhen victims come forward their word is them does not do that. person, no one was around to see it and then she against the trafficker’s. If there’s a money trail was prosecuted despite being violated. where the trafficker paid them for a service, they Hannah Richey Senior Staff Reporter hgrichey@uab.edu

human trafficking: includes sex and labor trafficking

also known as modern-day slavery

20-40 million people are trapped

I-65 I-20

high trafficking activity on major highways

0.04% of cases are reported

70-80% of victim are female

$32-150 billion industry

2nd largest criminal industry after the drug trade

*statistics taken from DoSomething.org and EndItAlabama.org

the WellHouse: 1-800-991-0948 Nat'l Human Traffickin Hotline: 1-888-373-788 Nat'l Human Traffickin Textline: 233733 INFOGRAPHIC BY JUHEE AGRAWAL

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‘A safe place to heal and grow’ Emma Owen Blazernews Editor emmaowen@uab.edu

In 2018, the majority of 23,078 survivors identified in the United States were female.

Male 16.2%

Since 2015, over 200 cases of human trafficking in Alabama have been reported to the national human trafficking hotline.

Female 83.8%

The Alabama Legislature's Safe Harbor Act, passed in 2016, protects underage victims of sex trafficking from being charged with prostitution.

TOP 5 RISK FACTORS FOR HUMAN TRAFFICKING: 1. Migration/Relocation 2.

Substance Use 3. Unstable Housing 4. Runaway/Homeless youth 5. Mental Health Concern

Cases Charged in Alabama

30

30

20

23

10

11

0 3

10

12

15

3

710 2 610 2 510 2 410 2 310 2 210 2 110 2 1002

Dixie Shannon, The WellHouse employee and survivor of human trafficking, said she graduated from the Wellhouse after receiving help from employees and volunteers.

“As a survivor and graduate of (The WellHouse), one of the biggest pieces that has gotten (me) to where I am has been mentorship,” Said Dixie Shannon.

The WellHouse, a 24-hour Immediate Shelter and Trauma Center has helped more than five hundred victims of human trafficking throughout its years of operation.

Shannon said volunteers at The WellHouse play a significant role in the healing process for the women seeking support. “(My advice) to volunteers would be to get familiar on what trafficking is,” Shannon said. “I think having that education on what human trafficking is, is key to interacting with our residents. Also, understanding Stockholm Syndrome, I think that’s a really big key because you’re going to have a conversation with someone, and they might talk about why they want to go back to what was an unsafe situation” Chapple Watkins, Community Advancement and Marketing Director at The WellHouse, said the organization was created by a survivor of human trafficking.

“This survivor saw that there were no programs or shelters in the region available specifically for trafficking victims, and the need was great,” Watkins said. “She dreamed of a place where survivors could come and receive housing, healing and assistance. It was from this vision that The WellHouse was born.”

Watkins said that dream has allowed women to be saved from dangerous situations while being cared for and supported.

“The mission of The WellHouse is to rescue and provide opportunities for restoration to female victims of human trafficking who have been sexually exploited,” Watkins said.

Watkins said survivors receive emotional and physical assistance at the WellHouse.

“We offer transitional living apartment homes for WellHouse graduates,” Watkins said. “Our services include medical and dental care, individual and group therapy, job and life skills training, addiction recovery, spiritual guidance and Bible study and more.”

Sammy Rizzuto, advocate for human trafficking awareness and WellHouse volunteer, said she wanted to help others after realizing how human trafficking affects victims.

“The WellHouse is an incredible program that offers survivors of human trafficking a safe place to

heal and grow,” Rizzuto said. “What I found so special about the WellHouse is that they focus on all aspects of healing from psychological healing, to physical healing, to relational healing.

Rizzuto said she appreciates that the WellHouse gives women the ability to assimilate back into the community after recovering.

“Volunteers at the WellHouse have an incredible heart for the women and children effected by human trafficking,” Rizzuto said.

“I have completed the volunteer training program and look forward to the opportunity to begin working with the woman incredible women there.”

Rizzuto said she encourages others to support the women at the WellHouse.

“There are so many ways to get involved and to use your passions to give back to this incredible group of women,” Rizzuto said.

“Often, I find people are hesitant to volunteer because they don’t feel qualified or equipped, but we all have something to offer that has the potential to make a difference in someone else’s life.”

Rizzuto said the cause is a worthy one and anyone can support the WellHouse in their efforts.

“I encourage anyone who is even considering volunteering to be bold and reach out to the WellHouse to learn how you can be a part of the fight to end human trafficking and to bring restoration and healing to survivors,” Rizzuto said. “You’ll be amazed how much joy and purpose will be brought to your life when you choose to help someone else.”

Rizzuto said she volunteers with WellHouse and brings awareness to human trafficking because she wants to see a world without human trafficking. “(A world) where kids are free to be kids, where women understand their own value, and men treat every woman with the upmost respect,” Rizzuto said. “Education is the first step in bringing this vision into fruition.”

Rizzuto said this issue is important because it is more localized than some think,” Rizzuto said. “It is important to realize that there is no such thing as a “victimless crime” Pornography and prostitution create the demand that drives the continuation of human trafficking. (This) is not only an issue abroad, but this is happening right now on college campuses and households across the United States, Alabama and Birmingham. Everyone has a part in putting an end to human trafficking.”

HUMAN TRAFFICKING

*Information received from: https://www.montgomeryadvertiser.com/story/news/2019/02/26/the-ones-nobody-misses-scopehuman-trafficking-alabama-wider-than-reported-experts-say/2777701002/ https://humantraffickinghotline.org/

INFOGRAPHIC BY JULIE MAULDIN/ SENIOR STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER

HUMANS OF BIRMINGHAM Allison Brown Senior Staff Reporter browna17@uab.edu

“Just the other night, I was parked back there [at the Flying J Truck Stop], and someone came knocking on my door early in the morning, wanting to know if I wanted company. I said no, and they just went on their way, but you never know if there’s someone behind them or something.

I do have a decal on my door over there against trafficking, and I do support [stopping it]. So, there’s a phone number on there they can call, and I’ll help if I can.

The girl, it’s hard to tell, but I would say she was in her mid-20s. Over the years I’ve run into things like that. In some of your major cities, California truck stops, Little Rock, Arkansas truck stops, I’ve run into it. It’s very sad but you only see the one person, you don’t see anybody else. You can offer to help. I don’t want anybody in the truck, but I’ll offer to walk them over to the truck stop or make a phone call, but that’s all I can do.

I took a small course online for the Truckers Against Trafficking, and I learned a bit on there. So, I try to be careful about it, but it’s a sad thing and in the country.

It’s very sad, but there are people out here driving these things that are less than honorable, and I guess if there’s a need for it then you’re going to see it. It’s not the girl’s fault, not most of the time, anyway. Usually you PHOTO BY ALLISON BROWN/ can tell when they’re really into the drugs and when they’re not.”

SENIOR STAFF REPORTER -James Dwyer (truck driver)

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TUESDAY, JAN 28 , 2020

SPREADING AWARENESS

HUMANS OF

BIRMINGHAM

PHOTO BY CAMERON MCPHAIL/SENIOR STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER

Dr. Blanton teaches students about trafficking during one of his lectures.

Teaching to end sex trafficking Professor Blanton aims to bring awareness to trafficking through lectures Caleb Wood Senior Staff Reporter calwood@uab.edu “(Human Trafficking) is not like in ‘Taken’ when Liam Neeson got his daughter back”, said Robert Blanton Ph.D., Political Science Department Chair and professor of UAB’s course on human trafficking.

Myths like these are what Blanton said he is trying to eliminate with his course on human trafficking.

The class is a seminar where students are exposed to the realities of human trafficking in an increasingly aware world. They learn the definition of human trafficking, how and why it occurs and what exactly can be done to help prevent it.

The course reflects a bleak reality of one of the world’s largest illegal activities. For some students, the information comes as a shock.

“I didn’t know anything about human trafficking,” said Shae Thomas, a sophomore in criminal justice, “I didn’t know it was as widespread as it was.”

The class tries to put a global face on a commonly misunderstood issue. Students not only learn about how human trafficking works in the United States, but they learn about how the issue is a worldwide phenomenon with differences in every country.

“You’re not getting this information anywhere else,” said Katie Young, sophomore in political science, “We hear a lot about sex trafficking, but not human trafficking in other countries.”

The class also talks about the domestic side of human trafficking. Blanton brings in speakers with knowledge on the subject to help explain the issues at play.

While the class is focused on a heavy topic, Blanton said he tries to take the emotion out of the course to better understand the issue.

“You have to care about this issue. But you also have to pull back and think this isn’t just a case of the evil, though it is certainly a bad thing,” Blanton said, “Why does it exist? We have to dig beneath the surface to find out why things exist.”

Blanton started teaching the course at UAB in the spring of 2015. Its development comes at a time when more and more attention is being paid to the issue of human trafficking nationwide. But Blanton said his idea of a course on human trafficking started even earlier than that.

“When I was at my earlier institution, I did senior seminars,” Blanton said, “Quite a few students were just really involved and motivated about this topic.”

For students, the course is an opportunity to be well-versed in an area becoming more important in the workplace.

Macy Smith, a freshman in foreign languages, said she wants to use the class to help her become more well-rounded for a future career in the medical field.

“I want to find out more about how to recognize human trafficking,” Smith said.

Blanton hopes that students taking this class walk away with a better understanding of the realities of human trafficking and an awareness of how to recognize it.

“I like to think they have the tools to know that human trafficking is not just a case of a few isolated evil people making things happen,” Blanton said.

Blanton said he also wants students to know that there is something that they can do.

“There’s things that can be done in terms of increasing awareness, giving to antitrafficking organizations or things like that,” Blanton said.

PHOTO BY ALLISON BROWN/Web Content Editor

Allison Brown Web Content Editor browna17@uab.edu

“I’ve been driving for 17 years, so it was more prevalent when I first started driving, but now they keep a lot of security in the parking lots and that’s kind of run them off.

The security runs off what we call “working girls.”

It was never that crazy, they just come up, ask their question and I say ‘nah, I’m alright, I’m good,” and I go about my business. Like I said, it’s not as prevalent now, or I don’t come across it, let me say that.

Back then, [I’d be approached] daily. Daily in the truck stops. They’d say, “are you looking for company,” or “do you want a date,” that was it. That’s basically the pitch.

The law has kind of cracked down on it a lot, they’re not cool with it.

And it depends on what area of the country you’re in. If you go to a truck stop that’s kind of in the ghetto, in the slums, then you may come across it more often than somewhere in a nice area.”

-Robert G. (truck driver)

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