Human Trafficking

- Trafficking of Children and Adults
  
  Human trafficking happens "anytime and anywhere" impacting more than 12 million children and adults worldwide, according to the 2010 U.S. Department of State Trafficking in Persons Report. The International Labour Organization and UNICEF (United Nations Children's Fund) estimate that 1.2 million of these victims are under the age of 18. As many as 17,000 to 20,000 foreign national victims may be lured and exploited here in the United States each year and, with the recognition that any child or youth victimized thorugh commercial sexual exploitation is a victim of a severe form of human trafficking, the number of US citizen victims coud be in tens of thousands.
  
  Children twelve years old and younger (as young as babies) are included in the numbers exploited and abused by traffickers. When children are trafficked, their right to develop in a nurturing and loving environment is stolen from them. Their right to be free and protected from sexual, physical, and emotional abuse is also stolen. At times, individuals whom they perceive as their protectors and caregivers are the ones that prey on them. The consequences--particularly of sexual trafficking--are far-reaching, extending to an inability of the youngster to ever develop the capacity to trust others and the development of mental and behavioral health issues. Children come into contact with sex traffickers and can remain in human bondage through a variety of mechanisms: These include organized groups regularly interfacing with foreign national children, peers whose purpose is to serve as an intermediary to gain the trust of a teen who may not have positive community and family connections, pimps, and even family members.
  
  Protecting children from this horrendous reality starts with awareness. While some trafficked youngsters are already protected through national programs and some are in public child welfare programs, dioceses have a key role to play in helping identify and protect child victims of trafficking.
- Indicators of Child Trafficking
  
  These indicators were compiled through joint efforts of The Anti-Trafficking Program of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) staff and the United Nations Office of Drugs and Crime:
  
  Evidence of sexual, physical, mental or emotional abuse
  
  Engagement in work unsuitable for children
  
  Identification/documents confiscated by employer or someone else
  
  Isolation: no access to family members or friends
  
  Not in school or significant gaps in schooling
  
  Threats against family members
  
  Working unusually long hours, no access to their wages, and/or little if any time off
  
  Living in the workplace or with employer
  
  Have tattoos or other marks indicating ownership by their exploiter- ("branding")
  
  Children owing large sums of money
  
  Appear unusually fearful or anxious for themselves or family members
- What should you do if you encounter a victim?
  
  Contact your local law enforcement or child protection authorities in accordance with your state's mandatory child abuse/neglect reporting laws. Many cases of trafficking may be prosecuted as child abuse, and vice-versa, depending on local laws. Law enforcement and child welfare agencies cross-report in most jurisdictions; however, it is a good idea to contact both. Keep in mind that if you are a mandatory reporter, many state laws require that you directly report suspected child abuse and neglect and that you cannot give the responsibility to report to another person.
  
  Call the National Trafficking in Persons Information and Referral Hotline 1-888-373-7888 (funded by the Department of Health and Human Services/Office of Refugee Resettlement) for technical assistance, and to access servies in your area.
  
  Call the national Trafficking in Persons and Worker Exploitation Task Force complaint line 1-888-428-7581 (sponsored by the U.S. Departments of Justice and Labor) to begin an investigation of a suspected case by federal law enforcement authorities.
  
  Call the USCCB Anti-Trafficking Services Program 1-202-541-3357 for consultation, technical assistance.
- Trafficking impacts more than adults. It impacts children and teenagers, the most vulnerable segment of our society, and the consequences of trafficking are grave and far-reaching for this population.
- California on the issue
  
  In recent years, transnational criminal organizations and affiliated domestic gangs have expanded from drug and firearm trafficking to the trafficking of human beings. In the past, the U.S. Department of State has estimated that 14,500 to 17,500 victims are trafficked into the United States each year. This figure does not include victims who are trafficked within the country each year.
  
  California – a populous border state with a significant immigrant population and the world's fifth largest economy – is one of the nation's top destination states for trafficking human beings. In California, 1,656 trafficking cases were reported in 2018, the majority of them involving commercial sexual exploitation. The FBI has identified California as one of the top four states for trafficked persons according to the mayor’s office, and the Bay Area in general is a national hotspot.
  
  Senate Bill 1193 (Steinberg) In 2013, the State enacted the bill which added Section 52.6 to the California Civil Code. Section 52.6 mandates that specified businesses and other establishments are required to post a human trafficking model notice created by the Attorney General's Office. This model notice must include information related to support and services available to human trafficking victims and be posted in a conspicuous place in full view of the public.
  
  Senate Bill 225 (Stern) In 2017, required the model notice to include a specified number that victims can text for help.
  
  Assembly Bill 260 (Santiago) In 2017, required that hotels, motels and bed and breakfast inns be added to the list of businesses required to post the model notice.
  
  Assembly Bill 2034(Kalra) In 2018, increased access to human trafficking resources by allowing local agencies and school districts to seek reimbursement for certain costs mandated by the model notice posting requirement.
  
  Senate Bill 630 (Stern) In 2019, helped provide additional clarity on the role of local governments in adopting and enforcing rules at the local level to prevent slavery or human trafficking.
  
  All other California Legislation found here: https://oag.ca.gov/human-trafficking/legislation
Resources
- Catholic
  USCCB on Human Trafficking
  
  USCCB runs BRYCS on Human Trafficking, which has 2 main programs:
  
  Shepherd (educates lay and religious leaders about human trafficking from a Catholic perspective.)
  
  Amistad (strives to educate immigrant communities on how to work together to prevent trafficking on a local level.)
  
  USCCB Anti-Trafficking ToolKit for parishes involved
  
  California Catholic Conference Human Trafficking info page
  
  Vatican Migration and Refugee Section prioritizes human trafficking education
  
  U.S. Sisters against Human Trafficking
  
  Children of the Immaculate Heart - a home for children out of sex trafficking
  
  February 8th- Feast day of St. Josephine Bakhita- International Annual Day of Prayer and Awareness against Human Trafficking.
  
  SF Archdiocese Events on Facebook:
- Main Organizations
  National HumanTrafficking Hotline Resource Web page
  
  Referral Directory in your area
  
  Consumption Choices Slaveryfootprint.org
  
  Child Labor Trafficking Info
  
  Leading anti-trafficking organization in the U.S. that focuses on Child SEX trafficking: ECPAT USA (stands for End Child Prostitution and Trafficking)
- State, Federal & International
  State of California Human Trafficking page
  
  California Legislation found here: https://oag.ca.gov/human-trafficking/legislation
  
  Human Trafficking in America's Schools PDF Guide
  
  The White House has issued a Presidential Proclamation for January- National Slavery and Human Trafficking Prevention Month, 2020
  
  United Nations: July 30, World Day Against Human Trafficking, Link
  
  Cabin crew to be better equipped to prevent human trafficking, Link
- Groups Fighting Trafficking
  A21
  
  Operation Underground Railroad
  
  New York: GEMS
  
  Bay Area:
  
  Helping young people in Oakland, Alameda County, and throughout the state of CA: MISSSEY
  
  San Francisco Collaborative to End Human Trafficking SFCEHT
- Catholic news articles and podcasts on Trafficking
  Vatican criticizes lack of prosecutions for human trafficking. News Link.
  
  Bishops call for prayers for victims on World Day Against Human Trafficking. News Link.
  
  Sisters shine a light on modern-day slavery. News Link.
  
  Parish foot soldiers combat human trafficking in city hotels. News Link. Excerpt: "....According to Gail Priestly, the San Francisco Police Department has been candid with the faith community about lacking the resources to do this work. “So we are collaborating with them and also this larger body of people of faith,” she said. “The police chief said we need your help,” Yanish said. “We need churches to help us enforce these laws.” "
  
  Fed grants for Human Trafficking victim Housing. Podcast Link.
  
  Relevant Radio podcast Link on Sex Human Trafficking
- Our most Recent Human Trafficking Webinar can be viewed on our Youtube Channel here:
  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3xSDx4CBYv0
  
  If you are interested in getting involved please contact: Prolife@sfarch.org
  
  The Archdiocese of San Francisco is part of the Coalition of Catholic Organizations Against Human Trafficking

Human Trafficking

Trafficking impacts more than adults. It impacts children and teenagers, the most vulnerable segment of our society, and the consequences of trafficking are grave and far-reaching for this population.