Human Trafficking What Schools Need in Order to Recognize it and Respond

Meet Your Presenters Mike Brosnan San Mateo Sherriff’s Office Human Trafficking Program Coordinator (650) Jeneé Littrell Director, Safe and Supportive Schools San Mateo County Office of Education (650)

Recently Released ED Resources

“I know that my teacher knew that something was wrong with me. On a few occasions she saw me getting out of my pimp’s car before school. I would catch her looking at me as if she was trying to figure out what to do with me. I WISH SHE HAD DONE SOMETHING!” CSEC Survivor, 17 Years Old

“Watch it and address it!! We know you are aware it’s happening” “Educate all school staff about the warning signs. If I knew I had somewhere to turn, I would have done so.” “Don’t give up on us when we get in trouble. Work with us to figure out why things are happening”

Today’s Goals Gain a greater understanding Learn about indicators and warning signs Learn what schools can do Know where to go for more information

Why Trafficking? The world’s second most profitable criminal enterprise Signs of trafficking increasingly apparent in schools

RISKRISK The Proliferation of Trafficking PROFITPROFIT

Schools Potential Targets Man charged with sex trafficking high school girls Tennessee, September school-girls

Bloods gang member went to Brooklyn schools to recruit underage girls New York City | June ods-gang-members-brooklyn-schools-recruit- underage-girls-hookers-prosecutors-article

A 19 year old former cheerleader recruited girls at her high school to join her and the man trafficking her Portland, OR| April arraigned-sex- trafficking/?relatedposts_hit=1&relatedposts_o rigin=58927&relatedposts_position=2

What is Trafficking?

Human Trafficking: The Basics Modern-day slavery Highly profitable global criminal enterprise Supply and demand

Federal Law and Definitions Victims of Trafficking and Violence Protection Act (TVPA), as amended Sex Trafficking: The recruitment, harboring, transportation, provision, or obtaining of a person for the purpose of a commercial sex act Commercial Sex Act: Any sex act on account of which anything of value is given to or received by any person

Federal Law and Definitions Severe Forms of Trafficking Sex trafficking in which a commercial sex act is induced by force, fraud, or coercion, or in which the person induced to perform such act has not attained 18 years of age ; or The recruitment, harboring, transportation, provision, or obtaining of a person for labor or services, through the use of force, fraud, or coercion for the purpose of subjection to involuntary servitude, peonage, debt bondage, or slavery *Movement across a geographical boundary is not needed for an activity to be considered trafficking

Trafficking Victims Under Federal Law Minors (17 or younger) involved in a commercial sex act Adults (18 or older) who are forced, defrauded, or coerced into committing commercial sex acts Anyone (regardless of age) who is forced, defrauded, or coerced into various forms of labor or services

The Venues Online Strip clubs Brothels Prostitution Fake massage or nail parlors Truck stops Hotels, motels, homes, etc…

Online “ Traffickers commonly approach girls through social media, such as Facebook and Instagram, start by telling them they are pretty and then follow up with gifts and promises of a better life...” January william-schools-educate-staff-students-and-parents- on-human-trafficking/2015/01/09/493651d e ede3e54a_story.html

At Home “ By day, she would go to school and play with other kids. But when night came, her mother would sell her daughter to as many as three men on a school night.” July /07/30/bringing-attention-sex-trafficking- delaware/ /

The Numbers

The number of 10- to 17-year olds involved in commercial sexual exploitation in the United States each year likely exceeds 250,000, with 60% of these victims being runaway, thrownaway or homeless youth Congressional testimony Ernie Allen, President National Center for Missing and Exploited Children pdf/allen pdf

The Numbers As many as one third of teen runaway or thrownaway youth will become involved in prostitution within 48 hours of leaving home. Congressional testimony Ernie Allen, President National Center for Missing and Exploited Children pdf/allen pdf

The Numbers Some caveats… Criminal element Definitional issues Methodological issues

Polaris Project 2014 Statistics

The Traffickers

Traffickers come from all walks of life and often know the victim

The Traffickers Individual pimps Gangs and criminal networks Brothel and massage parlor owners Intimate partners Family members Fellow students Online predators

Traffickers exploit vulnerability and manipulate

The Polaris Project PowerControl-Wheel.jpg

The Victims

“The themes of trauma, abandonment, and disruption, begun in childhood, are central to the narratives of adolescent girls trafficked into commercial sexual exploitation. Girls describe having had a profound sense of being alone without resources.” humantrafficking/litrev/

12 to 14… The average age at which girls first become victims of prostitution 11 to 13… The average age at which boys and transgender youth first become victims of prostitution Federal Bureau of Investigations bulletin/march_2011/human_sex_trafficking

Victim Vulnerabilities Homelessness/running away Economic vulnerability (poverty, lack of education, poor employment opportunities) Age (inexperience, need to belong, self-esteem issues) Prior experiences of abuse *Widely considered to be the most direct contributor to vulnerability to trafficking amongst minors

Victim Vulnerabilities Lack of a support network, including a trustworthy adult History of systems involvement (child welfare, juvenile justice) Disabilities LGBT African American / Hispanic / Native American

The Impacts Physical injuries/health problems Mental and emotional health problems

The Impacts Substance abuse Changed relationships with self and others Unhealthy bond with the perpetrator

Levels of Involvement Party Crews Still in school, beginning of the recruitment Campus and Neighborhood Exploitation Still in school, truancy, decline in academic performance Completely in “The Life” No longer attending school, runaway, on the track and circuit

Warning Signs Unexplained school absences/irregular school attendance Chronic running away Homelessness An abrupt change in attire, behavior, or relationships The presence of an older “boyfriend” or “girlfriend” Travel with an older male who is not a guardian References to frequent travel to other cities The sudden presence of expensive possessions

Warning Signs Unusual attachment to cellphone Lack of control over schedule, money, and/or proof of identification Signs of psychological distress, such as depression, anxiety, paranoia, and/or suicidal ideation Signs of psychological coercion, such as an overly submissive attitude or inability to speak for self Signs of physical trauma, including bruises, cuts, burns, and/or scars

Warning Signs Strange tattoos or other branding marks Substance abuse or addictions Poor health, as evidenced by sexually transmitted diseases, malnutrition, and/or serious dental problems Inappropriate dress “A reputation” References to sexual situations beyond what is age- appropriate

Victim Needs Individualized care based on the needs of each victim, including: Long-term support Consistency without conditions A feeling of safety (perceived and actual) Medical care Trauma-based therapy Education Healthy social interactions Immigration assistance

Schools

Train School Staff Support school staff in Understanding the dynamics of trafficking Recognizing signs of trafficking involvement Responding in possible incidences of trafficking Train school social workers and psychologists on how to work with trafficking victims

Implement a Protocol Joint effort School administration Law enforcement Mental health agencies Child welfare Victim services providers Other community agencies What to do if…

Sample Protocol – Grossmont Union High School District, San Diego

Sample Protocol – Madison Metropolitan School District, WI

Offer a Prevention Curriculum Students can be a part of the solution See the Additional Resources section of Sex Trafficking of Minors: What Schools Need to Know to Recognize and Respond to the Trafficking of Students for sample curricula Choose developmentally appropriate resources based on the age group of the students

National Human Trafficking Resource Center (NHTRC) In the case of an immediate emergency, call your local police department or 911. In the absence of an established protocol, educators should contact the NHTRC at to seek guidance. School personnel should not attempt to confront a suspected trafficker or rescue a suspected victim.

Additional Resources Human Trafficking in America’s Schools americas-schools americas-schools Sex Trafficking of Minors: What Schools Need to Know to Recognize and Respond to the Trafficking of Students National Human Trafficking Resource Center trafficking-hotline/the-nhtrc/overview trafficking-hotline/the-nhtrc/overview Polaris Project

Questions?