Tomas J. Lares Central Florida Regional Project Manager Regional Project Manager Florida Coalition Against Human Trafficking Human Trafficking

Florida Coalition Against Human Trafficking In 1999, Anna Rodriguez, the founder of FCAHT, discovered her first case of Human Trafficking in Collier County where she worked as a Victims Advocate in Domestic Violence.In 1999, Anna Rodriguez, the founder of FCAHT, discovered her first case of Human Trafficking in Collier County where she worked as a Victims Advocate in Domestic Violence. This case, U.S vs. Tecum, was used to write the TVPA in 2000 – This Victim became the first recipient of the T-Visa.This case, U.S vs. Tecum, was used to write the TVPA in 2000 – This Victim became the first recipient of the T-Visa. As a result, Anna formed FCAHT, Non Governmental Organization, in May Current offices are in Clearwater, Orlando, Bonita Springs and Pensacola.As a result, Anna formed FCAHT, Non Governmental Organization, in May Current offices are in Clearwater, Orlando, Bonita Springs and Pensacola. Our mission is to educate the community and raise awareness as well as to work with survivors of Human Trafficking.Our mission is to educate the community and raise awareness as well as to work with survivors of Human Trafficking. How it all began:

Human Trafficking is… A form of Modern Day SlaveryA form of Modern Day Slavery Involves the exploitation of persons for commercial sex or forced laborInvolves the exploitation of persons for commercial sex or forced labor Victims may be illegal immigrants, or U.S. citizensVictims may be illegal immigrants, or U.S. citizens Often involves crossing an international border but could be a US citizen exploited right hereOften involves crossing an international border but could be a US citizen exploited right here Traffickers use force, fraud, or coercion to control their victimsTraffickers use force, fraud, or coercion to control their victims Can be prosecuted on a variety of legal groundsCan be prosecuted on a variety of legal grounds

Human Trafficking vs. Smuggling Human Trafficking is defined as sex trafficking in which a commercial sex act is induced by force, fraud or coercion or in which the person induced to perform such acts has not attained 18 years of age or the recruitment, harboring, transportation, provisions 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. Human Smuggling is defined as the importation of people into the United States involving deliberate evasion of immigrant laws. This offense includes bringing illegal aliens into the United States as well as the unlawful transportation and harboring of aliens already in the United States.

Statistics on International Cases 27 million worldwide27 million worldwide 2.5 million in the United States2.5 million in the United States 18,500 to 20,000 new victims brought to the United States each year18,500 to 20,000 new victims brought to the United States each year 600, ,000 victims trafficked annually worldwide600, ,000 victims trafficked annually worldwide 56% of foreign born children are brought to the US for labor56% of foreign born children are brought to the US for labor 82% of the foreign born adults are brought to the US for labor82% of the foreign born adults are brought to the US for labor

Forms of Victim Control Beatings, burnings, rapes, and starvationBeatings, burnings, rapes, and starvation IsolationIsolation Psychological abusesPsychological abuses Drug dependencyDrug dependency Document withholdingDocument withholding Debt bondageDebt bondage Threats of deportation or other legal ramificationsThreats of deportation or other legal ramifications Threats against familiesThreats against families Exposure of exploitative activity to their familiesExposure of exploitative activity to their families Sleep deprivationSleep deprivation

Who Engages in Human Trafficking? Members of the victim’s own ethnic or national community.Members of the victim’s own ethnic or national community. Foreigners in the U.S. (with legal status) that maintain close contact with their country of origin.Foreigners in the U.S. (with legal status) that maintain close contact with their country of origin. May be fluent in English as well as native language.May be fluent in English as well as native language. U.S. Citizens looking for cheap laborU.S. Citizens looking for cheap labor Often members of Organized CrimeOften members of Organized Crime Often Traffickers are:

Where are the victims? Victims of trafficking can be found in the following places: Restaurants Hotels Construction Cleaning and maintenance Domestic Maids/Nannies Agricultural employment Assisted Living Facilities Massage parlors Health spas Acupressure centers Brothels Escort services Strip clubs Nail Salons

Types of cases found in Florida Domestic Servitude- hardest cases to find. These are typically your nannies, maids Sex Trafficking- victims are forced or coerced into working within the sex industry. This can include stripping, pornography or prostitution –Boys have been found to be sold for sex. Labor Trafficking- victims are forced or coerced into working for little or no pay at all. –A majority of the victims are brought in on a work visa. –Most of the trafficking of foreign born victims found in US fall under this category –In Florida, there have been 2 labor trafficking cases prosecuted which involved US citizens.

Trafficking Victims Protection Act The Trafficking Victims Protection Act (TVPA) (Public Law ) was enacted in Prior to that, no comprehensive Federal law existed to protect victims of trafficking or to prosecute their traffickers. The TVPA is a Victim Centered law – Most laws are not Original TVPA Goals Prevent human trafficking overseas Protect victims and help them rebuild their lives in the U.S. with Federal and state support Prosecute traffickers of persons under stiff Federal penalties Addendum: In 2003 Labor Trafficking added In 2005 US Citizen Trafficking Victims added In 2008 the William Wilberforce Trafficking Victims Protection Act was passed by congress to include Visa Fraud, Labor Contracting and Us Citizens involved in Sex Tourism.

Engaging the Community Building Awareness through Education Building Awareness through Education Increasing awareness of human trafficking and what to look for in your local community Increasing awareness of human trafficking and what to look for in your local community Developing alliances with local businesses and organizations to help victims Developing alliances with local businesses and organizations to help victims Building a base of information Building a base of information Promote general community outreach Promote general community outreach Be pro-active and volunteer in your community Be pro-active and volunteer in your community

Do You Know Where it’s Happening in Your Community? (727) U.S. Department of Justice Human Trafficking Complaint Line Hour National Human Trafficking Resource Center