Human Trafficking Emily Trussell, Sexual Assault Services Coordinator Kirstin Heydel, Youth Services Coordinator Mid-Valley Women’s Crisis Service
Human Trafficking Definition Sex Trafficking Labor Trafficking Force FraudCoercion
Sex Trafficking: a commercial sex act that is induced by force, fraud, or coercion, or in which the person induced to perform such an act has not attained 18 years of age. TVPA 2000 Definitions
Commercial sex act means any sex act on account of which anything of value is given to or received by any person. - Prostitution- Erotic/nude massage - Exotic dancing- Escort services - Pornography- Phone sex lines
Definitions CSEC: Sexual activity involving a minor through buying, trading, or selling their sexual services. DMST: Commercial sexual exploitation involving U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents who are under 18 years of age at the time of victimization.
Common Terminology ● Pimp ● Boyfriend / Daddy ● John ● Tricks ● Stable ● Track ● Bottom bitch ● The Life ● Squaring Up ● Turn Out ● Bodyguard / Looker
Sex Trafficking in Numbers Portland has the largest sex industry per capita in the country Average age of entry to pornography is 12. Average age of entry to prostitution for girls is12. For boys and transgender youth, the average age is 11 to13. Portland police encounter an average of 5 sex trafficking cases a week
Sex Trafficking in Numbers There is an estimated 24,000 homeless youth in Oregon at any given time. 1 out of 3 teens on the street will be lured toward prostitution within 48 hours of leaving home Of the victims working with advocates in Portland from , only one minor victim did not admit to having a pimp.
National Trafficking Routes
WHY IS THERE A DEMAND?
Who are the consumers or “Johns”? Buyers can be all ages, ethnicities and represent a variety of social and economic backgrounds Buyers are equally responsible for the crime of sex trafficking
Who are the victims?
Identifying Victims of CSEC Runaways Traveling / Transportation Delinquency Relationships Tattooing Material items
Activity If someone were to brainwash another person, make them loyal to them, keep them from running away, what might a perpetrator do? Keep them Dependent Isolation Fear Manipulation Provider (basic needs) Make them think its their choice Keep them sleep deprived Violence Taking away their identity Creating a new world view Drugs and alcohol Convince them they have no options
Pimp culture Where pimps recruit Tactics to gain a victim ’ s trust Recruiting Pimp/victim relationship Breaking Maintenance “Why would she stay?”
Pathways to Entry and Recruitment Seduction and coercion Violence or force False advertising for modeling, acting, or dancing Peer recruitment Internet luring through chat rooms or profile sharing sites Parents selling children
Common Myths Youth know what they are getting into FACT: Youth are often seduced, coerced, tricked or forced into prostitution by pimps The youth is a criminal FACT: The minor is not a criminal, they are a victim of sex trafficking The victim was paid for her services FACT: All or most of the money usually goes to the pimp; the youth rarely gets to keep any money The youth is free to leave FACT: Victims are held in physical and/or emotional bondage and are not free to leave
Common Myths U.S. citizens cannot be trafficked FACT: Anyone who is made to perform commercial sex acts or labor by force, fraud or coercion has been trafficked It’s not trafficking when the trafficker and the victim are related FACT: Anytime someone profits from the sale of a person for sex or labor, that is trafficking It’s not trafficking unless the victims are moved across borders FACT: Trafficking refers to the act of benefiting from the exploitation of a human, not the act of moving them Victims trafficked within a state don’t qualify for federal victim assistance FACT: All victims of trafficking qualify under federal law for victim assistance
Trauma Informed Hyperarousal - Symptoms can include: anger, panic and phobias, irritability, hyperactivity, frequent crying and temper tantrums, nightmares and night terrors, regressive behavior, increase in clinging behavior, and running away. Hypoarousal - Responses can include: daydreaming, inability to bond with others, inattention, forgetfulness, and shyness. Physical symptoms include: eye widened, pale skin, complaints about being cold, and flat affect.
What to do if you think someone is a victim of CSEC Don’t expect them to admit or give details Be non-judgmental and kind Be flexible and willing to think outside the box Have realistic expectations Build trust and support Call an advocate
What’s happening in Marion County? Community partners Human Trafficking Task Force Offender Accountability Outreach/Awareness Direct Services / Advocacy Labor Trafficking Coordinated community response
Emily Trussell, Sexual Assault Services Coordinator Kirstin Heydel, Youth Services Coordinator Mid-Valley Women’s Crisis Service Business Line hour hotline / QUESTIONS ?