Overview of Domestic Minor Sex Trafficking Community Activism Overview of Domestic Minor Sex Trafficking This is going to be a brief overview of trafficking. I am covering in a short time what we normally do as a community training in several hours so please realize that I am speaking in generalities. Boys and girls are trafficked. Most are girls so I speak from that standpoint. Some buyers are women. But most are men. Women as pimps are on the rise – but most are men. PLEASE UNDERSTAND THAT IT HAPPENS TO BOTH. BUT THE MAJORITY ARE FEMALE VICTIMS, SOLD BY MEN PIMPS TO MEN BUYERS.

Who are the Victims of DMST? Youth of any ethnicity, race, or religion Youth of any socio-economic class Female, male, and transgender youth Youth of all ages, including teenagers Vulnerable youth; average age is 13 Common age is 14 recruited into the US sex industry. Some are as young as 8-9 years old Vulnerability can be just needing someone to listen to them. No one is home. Everyone is busy. That age is especially vulnerable to insecurity. Lonely. Isolation. Sexual abuse. Not connected (move often, broken homes) BUT NOT ALWAYS – any child is vulnerable. Recruiters are watching for a youngster who is always alone, sad, angry, doesn’t quite fit in. Sounds like ANY 13 YEAR OLD and the truth is, they are all vulnerable. (story – girl walking to school in all kinds of weather)

Who is especially vulnerable to DMST? Homeless youth, Runaway youth Sexually abused; isolated; lonely; chronic troublemakers, drug abusers Youth within the foster care system & child protective services A hungry runaway. A homeless teen. Out of desperation, they will go with a stranger for a sandwich or a promise of a place to stay. Then they are forced to ‘repay’ the debt by selling their body. They don’t see any other way out. Disconnected children – living far away from family, divorce/new relationships, changing school/friends, no support group. 65% victims have come through the foster care system. Hurt, needy, lonely (often times have been sexually abused) Been in trouble already – want a fresh start, or may feel they deserve victimization. Mental health issues make a victim particularly vulnerable to recruitment Buying her things, making her promises, treating her well (at first)

Also highly vulnerable Kids who don’t know or understand the signs and tactics of recruiters From ‘good’ homes and schools The ‘good’ kids in sports, honors and youth groups. Bored. Insecure. Lonely. Sad. Angry. Chosen is about the kids who break some of the stereotypes of “at risk” youth. Yes, it can happen to the ‘good’ kids too. Education is vital! Both of the girls in the story of Chosen say that they wouldn’t have fallen for it if they had only known the tactics that traffickers use!

Who are the traffickers? Any age, any race, any economic background. Male or Female. Spotter can be a kid in the junior or high school. He gets $400 - $600 a head to identify a girl who may be approached. Recruiter will find time to meet her, get to know her, innocently ask questions and find out all about her. He is paid to give that information to the trafficker. Trafficker then moves in to become the “boyfriend” and builds relationship. Eventually when trust is built, he begins to groom her and eventually turns her out; or sells her for profit. Spotter – identifies a prospect Recruiter – gleans information Trafficker – pimp, sells the product

Why is trafficking on the rise? Greed Let’s talk quotas for a minute. Take out your phone calculator. Suppose her nightly quota is $1500 a night – and suppose she gets two months off a year (which would never happen – girls are forced to work any time of the month, when they’re sick or recovering from abuse) 1500 x 300 = 450,000 a year. THAT’S ONE GIRL. Most pimps have several in their “stable”. The danger of trying to rescue a girl off the streets. Remember she’s a commodity. She’s somebody’s paycheck. She’s worth a lot of money to a pimp. It’s dangerous for you to approach her – it’s dangerous for her. WHY YOU MUST BE VERY CAREFUL HOW YOU REACT – Pimp is watching You have your hand in his wallet Social worker may be working on a rescue plan You may cause her to disappear See the trafficker not as a glamorous pimp but as a child molester.

Recruiting tactics Calculated targeting and recruitment Friendly conversation, buy gifts assess home/life situation Determine vulnerabilities and dreams (investment of time ensures a strong foundation of trust) It starts as a relationship. Often he’s an older boyfriend and she hides him from her parents because of fear of disapproval. He becomes more important to her than family and friends. Friends cover for her because they think it’s cool. He begins to isolate her more and more.

Pimp Control Introduction to The Game – “You’re already doing it…now you can get paid” Breakdown of self-esteem “This is who you are.” Continuing use of physical and psychological torture with affection = Trauma Bond (defense mechanism) Seasoning (rape, beatings, starvation, forced drug use, breakdown of resistance) New name, cut off from support system “I’m your family.” Often hides as domestic violence “I have a jealous boyfriend” Then he asks for something. “For our dreams… I can’t pay for the car this month…” My friend said he’d pay to sleep with you. Just this once? But once she’s done it, he can control her.

Why is it hard to identify domestic minor sex trafficking victims? Most think they are ‘in love’ with their trafficker Pimp control – Abused physically and/or psychologically Trained to protect pimp using lies and false stories Taught to distrust service providers & law enforcement Doesn’t identify as a victim (minimizing their own abuse) Is moved frequently from place to place Disguise the real age and name of victim Pimps know how to control their assets. Fear-based obedience, keeping victims unsteady by pushing away then pulling towards themselves to create dependency. Imbalance of moving, changing, denying life necessities and using them as a reward for obedience. Taking away victim’s identity. Literally – no ID, cellphone or ability to reach out. Instilling mistrust is part of the grooming process to protect their investment. Pimp tells victims “You chose this. You came to me.” Often this is true – but a minor can’t legally make that decision. But they don’t know that.

Why does this problem exist? a. Children are being sold because there is a demand to purchase sex much of it ‘invisible’ online Laws must be enforced and convictions made in order to deter predator buyers d. Sexualized music, media and fashion glamorizes pimping and the look of girls on the street Children are vulnerable (accessible product) There is a market to buy them There is MUCH MONEY to be made. The world glamorizes “Pimped Out” to mean really cool. PIMP is printed on clothing, drinking glasses to show you are the one in control SOLUTION: Men must learn not to objectify women in any way. Gawking, lewd jokes, buying ANY kind of sex: pornography, prostitution, strip clubs Until demand ends, we must educate!

Where are Victims Being Sold? No longer standing on street corners (although that still happens) Recruited out of prisons/jails, by other kids in juvenile detention, and sold by spotters from their own schools Now online at more than 100 sites (in Seattle WA) selling more than 1000 sex acts every night The ever-changing technology, our children are online more than ever before which makes them MORE ACCESSIBLE to predators THAN EVER before! Know what apps are on your kids phones (yes, young adults too) Educate yourself! www.netsmartz.org is a great place to start – a site from National Exploited and Missing Children There is an entire study on Internet Safety alone, but be very aware THIS is where predators are looking for YOUR kids.

Who are the Buyers? Buyers can be anyone. This photo is from Lynnwood, WA, not far from where I live. Buyers range in age from 17 – 79. They come from all walks of life, but most commonly middle class, white-collar workers who have the money to spend. They are all ethnicities. This addiction for sexual encounters with youngsters knows no boundaries. Most common way to find a child? Online Most common time to shop? 2 pm (this means businesses are liable for their employees who use their equipment for illegal activity)

How do we end it? Support your local law enforcement to utilize the laws passed since 2013. b. Use Shared Hope’s tools to BRING JUSTICE and write to your lawmakers to encourage stricter penalties on BUYERS as a deterrent. c. We will END DEMAND only when there are strong deterrents for those who are buying children for sex acts. If there’s no market, there’s no need for a product. Partner with police departments, sheriff and law enforcement in your community by attending their city hall meetings when they are asking for support to fight sex trafficking. Provide materials if they ask and where you can without being instructive. Always support and recognize their work as valuable! Sponsor a fundraiser to send your local law enforcement sheriff or police chief to the national SHI conference in November B. Go to sharedhope.org and see ‘What We Do’ – the Legislative Action Center has tools that make it easy. C. Keep supporting the Buyer Beware programs that make it harder for those who buy kids for sex.

Identify & Report Hyper-jealous, controlling or exhibits violence. Educate children on these characteristics of pimps: Hyper-jealous, controlling or exhibits violence. Hiding a relationship w/ someone significantly older than the teen involved. Separating from usual network. Promising things that are too good to be true. Suggests they know how to help teen make a lot of money. Buys expensive gifts without evidence of a ‘real’ job. Simply educating teens on these tactics will help keep them safe. NOT hiding things from their parents and NEVER running away is important. If you see some of these signs, tell an adult you trust!

Warn Minors of the Dangers Online Much recruiting is done through social media Appeals to lonely, insecure teens and becomes a ‘friend.’ Finds out personal info, hopes and dreams and begins making promises. Makes them feel important. Begins to separate them from their networks and wants to be the center of their universe (flattering but controlling). Builds trust in the ‘relationship.’ Warn young people about not sharing personal information with someone online. Not accepting communication with someone that they haven’t actually met, and know who they are. ANYONE can say they are your age and in your town to get you to begin talking with them.

One Goal: To Meet Starts moving personal boundaries by suggesting more sexual activities as ‘normal’ (stripping, porn use, casual sex) Makes a move to meet with the goal of having sex. Once that happens, they can begin to control them. The youth agrees to go with them and then they are unable to escape the situation The goal is to meet and engage sexually. Once that happens, they can begin to control the individual. Talking about sexual things as if they are ‘normal’ so the teen begins to think differently. Encourages the youth to Think for yourself, you’re so mature Defy parental restrictions or guidelines/ You’re almost an adult, they shouldn’t be controlling you You’re too smart, pretty, bored to stay in this town/ We should go to the city, it’s exciting!

If you see anything suspicious call Save This Number Now If you see anything suspicious call National Center for Missing & Exploited Children 800-THE LOST (843-5678) www.cybertipline.org Where there is immediate danger – Call 911 You don’t have to know everything. Just tell us what you know. Get trafficking victims the help they need. If you think you have come in contact with a victim of any sort of human trafficking, call! GO BY YOUR GUT INSTINCT! In immediate danger – call 911 Clearly and specifically describe what you have seen and why it doesn’t feel right. Police will determine whether it is urgent or not. They will ask you if there is immediate danger or if a crime is in progress. If it appears there is a girl being forced against her will –tell them that! If it “just doesn’t look right” tell them there is suspicious activity, or a suspicious person and that you are requesting a “welfare check”. Don’t second guess yourself. Your job is to give information. DO IT. Their job is to decide how to act on that information.