Human Trafficking

We made the headlines!

The Human Trafficking issues is a serious business. Our own Fr. Brian McVey has been tackling this situation for quite some time at the truck stop on I-80 in Iowa. His and other members of the church efforts are not going un-noticed. Check out the several online articles that Fr. Brian appears in for this topic.

- Three Cups of Coffee
- Community group addresses problem of human trafficking

The Fight to End Slavery

The current law has expired for Trafficking Victims Protection Reauthorization Act (TVPRA) as of September 30, 2011. Thank goodness to the efforts of like-minded citizens across the country, 11 Representative and 5 Senators have signed onto the bills as co-sponsors. However, there has not been one member of our Congressional delegation to set up and join the fight and help this pending inaction with TVPRA. Please consider contacting our Senators and Representatives to ask them why they will not join this worthy cause.

* IMPORTANT Message
for our State Representatives*

Join the fight to end Human Trafficking. Buy your T-Shirt Today!

Did you know?

There are between 27,000,000 and 41,000,000 slaves in the world today.

Of that number, 80% are female (21,600,000 – 32,800,00)

50 % are minor children (13,500,000 – 20,500,000)

Slavery accounts for approximately $300 Billion in revenues worldwide and approximately $96 Billion in profits.

n Law enforcement estimates that it is the second or third largest organized criminal activity in the world (Drugs & Guns)

n Yet fewer than 100 law enforcement officials nationwide are assigned to investigate the crime

n Nearly every ring busted in the United States in the past decade or two has been because of the tireless effort of an ordinary individual.

What if a slave asks you for help?

Call 911 immediately! If the slavers are violent, law enforcement is trained to handle the situation.

Call 888-373-7888 for other resources in your area.

What are some signs that the person is being trafficked?
-Is this person able to move about freely, or is he or she being watched or followed?

-Does he or she seem frightened to talk in the presence of others?

-Does she or he seem to be a minor, but is regularly seen during school hours?

-Any signs of assault—bruises, burns, cuts, limps, bandages, etc.?

-Does she or he seem disoriented, confused, frightened, or malnourished?

-Can she or he change employers at will?
-Is he or she addicted to drugs?

-Has she or he visited a number of places despite seeming to be very poor?

Why do slaves not flee?
Threat of violence
   Against the slaves themselves
   Threatened against their loved ones

Do not trust authority
    Many are brought from countries that do not have a "rule of law”
    Slavers work hard to point out our fights in regards to illegal immigration

Fear
   Some have been brought to a new continent and are far away from anything familiar
   Many have witnessed beatings or murder of other slaves
   Some have been on the receiving end of the slaver’s violence

False promises
    “Once you pay off the $9000 you owe men, you are free”
    “You need to do this so I can help you”

Language/cultural barriers
    Many cannot speak the language of those to whom they are enslaved
    Slavers will “help” translate for them and never let them out of sight

Self-Shame
Due to the psychological warfare of the slaver, the slaves become convinced that their plight is their own fault
   What would the family think
    What would these people where I am think

Sense of Obligation
     Part of the psychological efforts of the slavers is to create the impression that the slave is totally dependent upon them
     “If I don’t feed you, who will?”
      If I don’t protect you, someone might kill you”

No personal Identification or documentation
     Identification documents are sometimes “kept safely” by the slaver
     More often than not, all documentation is destroyed
     Keeps law enforcement from being able to identify the victim who, if the slaver did his or her job, distrusts that official and will not assist them (and might not be able to communicate with that official)

Sense of hopelessness/Resignation
     Over time, slaves come to accept their circumstances

In what businesses are slaves used?

-Sex Trade workers
Although sex trade workers make up only 4% of all Human Trafficking Victims, they account for nearly $90 Billion of the profit generated for slavers

- “migrant workers”
- Service Industry “Employees”
- Construction Workers
- Manufacturing
- sweatshops
- Grifters
- Domestiques
- Maids
- Butlers
- Entertainment
- Anywhere cheap labor is necessary to keep costs down and increase profit margins