The Struggle to Assist Victims/Survivors in the U.S.

The U.S. Trafficking Victims Protection Act was originally passed to “combat trafficking in persons…to ensure just and effective punishment of traffickers, and to protect the victims." The TVPA established the T-Visa as a means to grant legal status/residence to individuals identified as victim of "severe forms of trafficking." While the original goals of the TVPA and T-Visa were to increase aid given to victims/survivors and more effectively combat trafficking in the U.S., the actual implementation of these tools has been poor and inconsistent. (Moreover, the limited and misleading definition of "severe forms of trafficking" listed as a T-Visa requirement significantly reduces the number of victims/survivors that the U.S. is able or willing to identify and assist). The following is an excerpt from a research paper prepared by Lauren Dawson at the University of Southern California:

While the U.S. does allow adjustments in legal status to be made, the TVPA limits the number of “aliens” who may be given legal residence through the T-Visa to no more than 5,000 per fiscal year. But the U.S. government estimates 17,500 people are trafficked into the U.S. every year, according to the most recent data—which means that at most only 28 percent of trafficking victims will be given refuge in the U.S. each year. In reality, only 1,318 T-Visas were granted between 2000 and 2008.[1] What’s more, older reports estimate significantly higher numbers of victims trafficked into the US each year. The Trafficking in Persons Report in 2002 actually put the estimate at 50,000, and in 2003 the estimate was 20,000 victims. Using an average of 20,000 victims per year, the U.S. granted T-Visas to less than one percent of trafficking victims between 2000 and 2008.

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[1] Polaris Project. "Human Trafficking Statistics." Dream Center. Polaris Project, 2007. Web. 4 Apr 2010. .

One of the biggest problems with the T-Visa is that in order for victims to receive services (including specialized medical care, psychological services, and legal aid) they must first comply with any "reasonable request" to assist in the investigation or prosecution by local, state, or federal law enforcement. Dawson expands on this issue in her research:

This stipulation clearly turns “helping victims of trafficking” into a prosecution-focused endeavor, rather than the rehabilitation-focused process it was originally intended to be. The only exception to this requirement is if the victim is determined to be unable to cooperate with an investigation due to severe physical or psychological trauma resulting from trafficking. But this clause was not actually added until the TVP Reauthorization Act of 2008. Prior to this clause, there was no consideration given for victims suffering from severe psychological and physical trauma and who could not reasonably participate in an investigation. Until this modification was put into place, traumatized victims who were not able to meet “complex eligibility requirements and cooperate with law enforcement officials,” were deemed “ineligible for most protections” and services and therefore could be (and frequently were) deported.[1] But most victims of trafficking undergo severe physical, sexual, and psychological trauma. A number of separate studies on the impacts of human trafficking have agreed that “severe psychological and physical abuse, as well as struggling to survive under extreme and at times life-threatening conditions, marks the typical context of trafficking.”[2]^,[3],[4]

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[1] Sadruddin, Hussein, et al. "Human Trafficking In The United States: Expanding Victim Protection Beyond Prosecution Witnesses." Stanford Law and Policy Review 16. (2005): 379-416. Web. 1 May 2010.

[2] Yakushko, Oksana. "Human Trafficking: A Review for Mental Health Professionals." International Journal for the Advancement of Counseling 32. (2009): 158-167. Web.

[3] IOM. Report of the counter-trafficking unit: Return and reintegration project. Brussels, Belgium: International Organization for Migration, 2002. Print.

[4] United Nations. Feature on human trafficking. New York: United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, 2007.

Victims of trafficking need comprehensive counseling and medical treatment in order to address the psychological and physical scars inflicted upon them traffickers, pimps/brothel owners, and clients. They experience extreme levels of abuse and human rights violations--and because these crimes are being committed against them in the United States, the U.S. has a responsibility to provide rehabilitation and protection to victims of trafficking. And these services must be provided regardless of a victims willingness or ability to cooperate with law enforcement. Other issues with T-Visa requirements include the very vaguely defined likelihood of "extreme hardship involving unusual or severe harm" to the victim if deported; the arbitrary "severe form of trafficking" requirement (because "only" being a victim of "sex trafficking" just isn't enough to deserve protection); and the access to services being dependent on victim cooperation.
   
But there are a number of other problems with the implementation of the TVPA as well. For instance, federal funding is only provided to service providers in order to assist witnesses. Once a victim becomes unable or unwilling to participate further in the investigation/prosecution, she immediately loses access to the rehabilitative services  provided by federal funding. That means that organizations and shelters trying to help trafficking survivors must find alternative funding sources if they want to help the vast majority of victims that the TVPA does not help. But very few NGOs are able to assist victims outside of the requirements of federal funding. It is difficult to find enough independent funding to provide costly services like shelter, legal assistance, medical care, language assistance, job training, and therapy.
   
How many people are falling through these gaping cracks every year? The T-Visa requirements need to be changed, and the implementation of the TVPA must be revised if we are going to adequately serve the tens, if not hundreds of thousands of victims being cycled through the United States. The U.S. has undoubtedly made significant strides in fighting human trafficking over the last decade. But there is still a significant amount of work to be done. The promise of change through a "victim-focused" approach has failed to happen. There is not enough being done to identify and protect victims.
   
For more information on the Trafficking Victims Protection Act, check out these resources:

1. LAFLA Guide to Federal Statutes
2. Polaris Project Statistics Sheet
3. Rescue & Restore Campaign

U.S. military and human trafficking

    

   
The U.S. military has been, and continues to be, one of the major driving forces behind human trafficking and sexual enslavement. Military bases abroad create huge new demand for sex workers. Whenever a military base is set up, it creates a new market for human trafficking--traffickers go where they can make money, and U.S. military bases have consistently been a profitable destination.
   
There have been military personnel directly involved in trafficking, as well as a large number who contribute to human trafficking through purchasing sex at brothels (which are overwhelmingly populated by trafficked women). To learn more, check out some of the articles below. I will try to write more on this topic later. But for now, here are the links and a few excerpts:
  
*Blackwater Employees Paid for Sex with Your Tax Dollars
*Iraq War Contractors Ordered to End Abuses
*Book: International Sex Trafficking of Women and Children

"U.S. military bases, especially in the South, replicate the sexual rest and recreation (R&R) areas that proliferate near military bases abroad...U.S. service men have also been involved in recruiting Asian women, especially from Korea, Vietnam, and Japan into the sex industry in the U.S. Often the servicemen marry prostituted women around military bases abroad, bring them to the US and pressure them into prostitution. A large number of foreign military wives become victims of domestic violence, displaced or homeless, and end up in prostitution around US military bases."

*Sex Trafficking High Around US Military Bases

 On paper, establishments that sell sex are off-limits for men (and women) in uniform. But in practice, sex trafficking flourishes near U.S. military bases. Should U.S. soldiers be abusing people in another country while protecting people in this one?

*Filipinas in Prostitution Around US Military Bases in Korea

During the stay of military forces in the Philippines, around 17,000 women have been prostituted in Olongapo City alone, which is site of the largest US military base outside the U.S. itself. The U.S. Navy ensured that the men are kept safe, thus funding for social hygiene clinics flooded the cities where the bases are located. If 25% or more of the women in an establishment are unregistered with the clinic, the establishment will be declared off-limits to U.S. servicemen until the women are registered. Guidelines, thus, were made available to the servicemen so that they know where to go. In sum, the construction and maintenance of prostitution is integral to the U.S. military's strategies for keeping the male soldiers content. This is obviously in collusion with local and foreign businesses that make profits from the "entertainment industry,' and local governments that similarly earn from the lucrative R & R business.

THE T-SHIRTS ARE HERE!!

That's right, everyone!! The SSGF T-SHIRTS are here and available for purchase!!! We are so excited!
   
So how do you get YOUR SSGF shirt? Simply go to this link: T-shirt Orders. Select which tee design you want, select a size, and press the "Add to Cart" button. :) ALL SHIRTS ARE $17.00 EACH.
   
To order multiple shirts:
1. Select your first tee design and size, then click "Add to Cart"
2. Return to the T-shirt Orders page
3. Select your second tee design and size, then click "Add to Cart"
4. Etc...The shirts will all be added to the same cart for the same order.
   
Proceed to check out and input your information. You may pay by credit card or by PayPal (if you have an account). For now, we will not accept cash or check payments EXCEPT from USC STUDENTS who wish to pick up their shirts in person prior to May 12th. 
   
FOR USC STUDENTS ONLY: If you wish to order a shirt to pick up in person, please e-mail ssgf.usc@gmail.com with the subject line: T-Shirt Order Request. Please make sure you include your t-shirt choice, size, and contact info. You must have the full payment amount with you when you come to pick up our order.

We are the answer.

Last night, Lisa Ling came to the USC campus to give a talk about her experiences as an investigative journalist. She is an incredibly eloquent, composed, articulate woman, and it was a pleasure hearing her speak. She discussed a variety of stories and issues she has addressed in her career and showed video clips from some of the work she has done for National Geographic. Near the end of her talk, she began discussing human trafficking. She has done a lot of great work on the topic, and I really felt reinvigorated after hearing her speak. She also shared a short poem about injustice. It ends asking God why there is so much suffering in the world, and what He is doing to help those who are suffering...and God responds "I made you."
   
That really hit me. I firmly believe that everyone has a purpose and that everyone can contribute their piece of good to the world. I want to be a force for good in this world. I want SSGF to be a force of positive change. I want my passion to translate into action, and my love into hope. Human trafficking is an issue that affects me to the core. I know that I cannot walk away from this issue--now that my eyes have been opened to the horrors of this practice, I cannot pretend I haven't seen it.
   
"Now that I have seen, I am responsible.
Faith without deeds is dead...
Now that I have held you, in my own arms
I cannot let go 'til you are..."
   
So I will keep pushing forward and She Shall Go Free will continue to grow. I hope you will join us in this movement. If you want to get more involved, e-mail us at ssgf.usc@gmail.com. Have your own ideas about what you want to see happen? Let us know. We want to hear your perspectives and your hopes. Again, we couldn't be doing this without you.
   

  

With love,

Lauren

SSGF can now accept donations!

That's right! SSGF is now able to accept donations! :) Right now there are two ways to donate:
   
1. By PayPal account
2. By credit card via PayPal (you do not need an account for this option)
   
To easily access the page to donate by credit card, simply click here: Credit Card Donation 
   
You can also click the "Donate" button on the right side of the page, which will take you to our PayPal donation page. If you have a PayPal account, just sign in and proceed. If not, you may either sign up for PayPal or scroll down to "Don't have a PayPal account?" and click "Continue." This will take you to the page for credit card donations.
   
We are currently only accepting cash donations in person. Remember, a donation of ANY size is greatly appreciated and very helpful. We appreciate the all of the love and encouragement we have received so far. We couldn't do this without your support!
    
With love & freedom,
SSGF
   
ps. If you have any questions about donations or our organization, you can either post them here or send them to us privately by emailing ssgf.usc@gmail.com

   

Also, check out these wonderful products from Envirosax--they are eco-friendly, reusable, and produced by a fair trade manufacturer. Plus, a portion of their proceeds are donated to charities working on environmental issues and sustainability.

            

In my heart, I know it's worth it.

I am really struggling with injustice today...It is one of those days where I feel like the darkness in the world is overpowering the light. Are all the things I am doing even making a difference? Has all of the time, effort, heartbreak, and tears been worth it? I want to see real change in this world. I want the work SSGF does to have a tangible impact. And I just don't know if that is happening yet, or if it will happen at all. Like I said, I am a bit discouraged today.

So I just wanted to share a few quotes I have come across to re-inspire myself and hopefully give you a boost as well. If you have any others you want to share, I would love to hear them.
  

"I swore never to be silent whenever and wherever human beings endure suffering and humiliation. We must always take sides. Neutrality helps the oppressor, never the victim. Silence encourages the tormentor, never the tormented."--Elie Wiesel

   

"Thou shalt not be a victim. Thou shalt not be a perpetrator. Above all, thou shalt not be a bystander."--Holocaust Memorial in D.C.
   

"Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere. We are caught in an inescapable network of mutuality, tied in a single garment of destiny. Whatever affects one directly, affects all indirectly."--Martin Luther King Jr.

"History, despite its wrenching pain, cannot be unlived, but if faced with courage, need not be lived again."--Maya Angelou

"Each time a person stands up for an ideal, or acts to improve the lot of others, or strikes out against injustice, he sends forth a tiny ripple of hope, and crossing each other from a million different centers of energy and daring, these ripples build a current that can sweep down the mightiest walls of oppression and resistance."--Robert F. Kennedy

"There may be times when we are powerless to prevent injustice, but there must never be a time when we fail to protest."--Elie Wiesel

"I strongly believe that love is the answer and that it can mend even the deepest unseen wounds. Love can heal, love can console, love can strengthen, and yes, love can make change."--Somaly Mam

   

   

Human trafficking in Israel

I realize this video is quite long, but I wanted to share it anyway. l just finished watching it, and I am having a hard time processing everything. If you only have time to watch a short segment, I recommend starting at 46:00 or 47:00 for the story of Dinara. It is heartbreaking, distressing, and somewhat infuriating.

I don't really have the words to express what I am thinking right now. But I really wanted to share this with you all. So if you have any reactions, thoughts, feelings, etc. please share them. I would love to hear from you.

With love,
Lauren

In the land of the free...

**Check out this article: The Lost Girls**

Excerpts:

Most people who are aware of the existence of human trafficking think that it happens in faraway places, like war-torn countries in the former Soviet Union, Southeast Asia, or Eastern Europe. Few can imagine that slaves are brought into the U.S. to work in restaurants, factories, and sexually oriented businesses (SOBs to those in the know). In fact, across the country, tens of thousands of people are being held captive today. Depending on whom you ask, Houston is either the leading trafficking site in the U.S. or very near the top, along with Los Angeles, Atlanta, New Orleans, and New York City.  

 “Decompensation” is a fancy psychiatric term for when a person falls completely apart, which is what happened to Kiki in March 2006. She took an overdose of pills and landed back at the psychiatric hospital, where this time doctors diagnosed her with bipolar disorder. According to the application for emergency detention, Kiki was paranoid and claimed that she wanted to die. When one of the nurses tried to talk to her, she just said, “People are mean in America.”

   
What do you think? What is your reaction to this article? There are victims of trafficking all over this country. People are being held in slavery. They are being abused, exploited, sexually assaulted, psychologically terrorized, forcibly addicted to drugs,  and kept under caerful surveillance. Their lives are controlled by the traffickers.
  
This is not some distant problem happening in far away, impoverished places. Trafficking is happening HERE...NOW...There are tens of thousands of people enslaved today in the supposed "land of the free." But what kind of freedom could possibly exist when trafficking and sexual slavery are still all around us?
  
Just some food for thought. Want to learn more? Check out these books and documentaries on trafficking in the US:

                

There is always something we can do...

Short video on trafficking of children.

Children around the world are being abused, exploited, and trafficked into the sex trade and slave labor. Trafficking is a $32 billion a year industry--and the United States is the largest consumer of human trafficking in the world.

Child sex tourism.
Domestic servants trafficked into the US.
Tax dollars being spent to fund sex with prostitutes for US soldiers stationed abroad.
Bride buying.
Teenagers coerced into prostitution at the age of 12.
Brothels filled with trafficked girls established next to military bases.
Buying and selling children like objects.

It is all happening. And it is happening here. But much of the world--and the United States--stands idly by. We have a shared responsibility to respond to these atrocities. As moral human beings blessed with hearts and minds, we have a responsibility to be informed...to care...to act. Of course, action can be taken in a variety of forms. Letters need to be written to our representatives. Petitions need to be signed. Money needs to be raised. Awareness needs to be promoted. And responsibility needs to be taken.

So what can you do? You can take responsibility for knowing where your products come from and doing what you can to ensure that there is no slavery in your products. You can write letters and sign petitions to send to corporations that utilize slave labor. You can choose to buy fair trade products. You can share this site and the information you have learned with two or three other people. You can donate a few dollars to an anti-trafficking organization or host a fundraiser. You can do more research and keep yourself informed. You can join the fight.

What other ideas do YOU have? We would love to hear them. And what would you like to see SSGF doing? We want and need your input.

With love and freedom,

SSGF

 

I wanted to share this video with everyone. It is a powerful compilation of clips, images, and statistics on human trafficking. Let me know what your thoughts, feelings, reactions are after watching this. For me, it is another reminder of why I wanted to work in this field in the first place. There is so much injustice in this world, but not so much that it cannot be overcome.


"All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men [and women] do nothing."--Edmund Burke

Trafficking is a systemic disease that is infecting every corner of the world. But the good news is that we can fight it. There are groups and organizations and individuals who have dedicated their time, energy, resources, and often lives to ending human trafficking. I feel called to join that fight--and I hope you feel called as well.
"If you aren't seeing it, you aren't looking for it."

With hope and freedom,
Lauren

What is human trafficking?

Human trafficking involves the recruitment, transport, receipt, transfer, or confinement--accomplished by means of coercion, deception, abuse of power, threat or use of force, payment to another person, or abduction--of another person for the purpose of exploitation.

Trafficking activities can be contained within a country or region, or they can expand into transnational operations. Victims of trafficking can come from a range of socioeconomic, cultural, ethnic, and religious backgrounds. However, poverty, lack of access to education, refugee or IDP status, and/or living in the midst of armed conflict or post-conflict transitions are all factors that make women and girls particularly vulnerable to trafficking and exploitation.

Approximately 80% of trafficking victims are female--and of these, at least 70% end up in the commercial sex industry. Human beings are treated like disposable commodities. The average price of a slave today is $90.00. And in the sex trade, a child can be bought for a night for only a few US dollars.

Human trafficking is an illegal activity that generates over $32 BILLION in revenue a year. And the United States is one of the largest consumers of human trafficking in the world. Trafficking is incredibly widespread--it is happening all over the world to people of every race, class, creed, etc. Even the most conservative estimates that at least 800,000 people are trafficking across international borders every year--and even more are trafficked within national boundaries.

For more information about trafficking and how you can help, check out the links in the Resources section of the side panel.

With love and freedom,

SSGF<3<3

SSGF: Who we are...

She Shall Go Free is a growing non-profit organization dedicated to fighting against sexual slavery, human trafficking, and the exploitation of women and girls worldwide.

We aim to raise awareness, advocate for victims and survivors, to demand justice and legal protections for women and girls, and to provide effective and comprehensive services where most needed.