1. Identifying and Responding to Survivors of Labor Trafficking
Andrea Hughes, LMSW
Safe Horizon Anti-Trafficking Program
Julie Butkowski
International Institute of Buffalo
2017 OVS Conference
Serving the Underserved: Increasing Access to Victim Services

2. Training Agenda Introduction and Trigger Warning
Overview of Labor Trafficking and Tips for Identification
Resources Available to Survivors
What We Can Do to Address Labor Trafficking
Questions

3. Safe Horizon Anti-Trafficking Program
Safe Horizon is a victim service agency in New York City, providing services to survivors of all crimes. The Anti-Trafficking Program was founded in 2001
Provides client centered, trauma focused intensive case management and legal services to survivors of labor and sex trafficking
In FY17, ATP provide case management services to 189 survivors of human trafficking. 55% of the clients experienced labor trafficking

4. International Institute of Buffalo
The Human Trafficking Survivor Support Services Program provides intensive case management services to any survivor of human trafficking in Western New York.  We have specialized services for females, males, youth, immigrants, U.S. Citizens, LGBT population, and those who experienced labor and sex trafficking.
Services are provided free of charge and regardless of immigration status.
The Institute can help with the following needs: safety, legal and court, housing, basic needs, medical, social service benefits, mental health, substance abuse, crime victim help

5. Some Material May Be Triggering. Please Take Good Care of Yourselves
Image From:

6. What is Labor Trafficking?

7. Human Trafficking Overview
Trafficking is the global practice of exploiting men, women and children for use as commodities in conditions of sexual or labor servitude.
© Jane Rosenberg

8. People Are Trafficked Into Various Industries
Retail work
Domestic labor
Farming
Hotel or tourist industry
Teachers
Restaurant work
Garment factories
Sex trade
Construction
Beauty salon

9. Traffickers often accompany victims at all times and can be:
Friends
Family
Romantic partners
Acquaintances
Domestic worker employers
Labor Recruiters
Government employers
(US & International Diplomats)
Photo: Kay Chernush for U.S. State Department

10. International Labour Organization (2012)
General Statistics
International Labour Organization (2012)
20.9 million human trafficking victims, worldwide
14.2 million labor trafficking victims
4.5 million sex trafficking victims
-- 60% are male
-- 1 million are children
DOS: TIP Report – USA (2016)
257 Federal Prosecutions on HT (FY15)
248 involved Sex Trafficking
9 involved Labor Trafficking
377 defendants charged

11. Human Trafficking – Federal Definition
The federal term ''severe forms of trafficking in persons'' means:
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.

12. What are some examples of force, fraud or coercion?
Physical violence
Sexual Assault
Kidnapping
Confinement and Physical Restraint
Burning
Fraud
Deceitful enticing promises or lies
Lying about working conditions
Lying about wages
Coercion
Threats of serious harm or restraint to victim or loved ones/family
Threats of deportation or being arrested for crime
Incurring debts
Revealing sexual orientation, HIV status, prior arrest(s)

13. Labor Trafficking vs. Labor Exploitation
Element of force, fraud or coercion
Limited/no freedom of movement
Limited/no freedom to leave
Little/no control over earnings
Exploitation
Substandard work conditions
Freedom of movement
Freedom to leave
Unfair wages

14. Identifying Trafficked Persons
Photo: Kay Chernush for U.S. State Department

15. Common Red Flags Suspicious employment situation
Work, but have no access to their earnings
May not know their address
May not have identification documents
May be confused as to where they are
Dependence on “friend” or co-worker to answer questions
Abusive relationships
Not dressed adequately

16. Common Red Flags – Continued
Provides contradictory information
Fearful of providing information
Suicidality, depression
Fearfulness, anxiety, trauma symptoms
Distrustful of authority figures
Difficulty communicating due to limited social interactions
Untreated injuries – explanations inconsistent
Delayed medical care

17. Questions to Ask to Assess for Labor Trafficking
Do you feel that you are free to leave your workplace? Do you feel that if you left, you or your loved ones would be hurt in some way? (ie. What do you fear would happen if you left?)
Has a supervisor/employer/family member threatened to harm you or anyone you know? Or threatened to call the police or immigration authorities?
Was your passport taken from you?

18. Questions (continued)
Are you receiving all the money you earn?
Were you ever told you had a debt to pay off? Do you owe your employer, or someone else money for giving you a job?
What promises were made to you by an employer or agency that influenced you to come to the US?
Tell me about your living conditions

19. Best Practices When Interviewing a Potentially Trafficked Person
Use the same words the person is using and don’t correct them; especially as it refers to their relationships and situation.
Be open to unfamiliar narratives and stories.
Create a safe space for talking: Always speak with the person privately.
Always use professional interpreter services when a language barrier exists.
DO NOT rely on the person’s friend or associate if interpretation services are required.
Use a trauma-informed, non-judgmental approach when interviewing.

20. If You Think Someone Is Being Trafficked
Communicate messages of hope:
You have rights.
You are entitled to services and help.
Assess Safety:
Are you afraid to go home?
Do you have a safe place to stay?
What would happen if you didn’t return to your work site/residence this evening?
Make Referrals:
Connect the individual directly with an appropriate service provider

21. Resources Available for Survivors of Trafficking

22. Survivors of Labor Trafficking Often Need Support Around…
Shelter/Housing
Food
Clothing
Medical/Dental/Mental Health
Immigration
Advocacy
Financial Assistance
Information
Counseling

23. Immigration Remedies
Three immigration remedies specifically available to trafficked foreign nationals are:
Continued Presence
T-Visas
U-Visas

24. T Visa/U Visa Benefits
Provides legal nonimmigrant status for foreign victims of trafficking to stay in the U.S. for up to four years;
Provides an employment authorization document (EAD);
Provides protection against removal (deportation);
T and U Nonimmigrant status holders may apply for a green card after 3 years in U or T visa status

25. Public Benefits for T-Visa Holders
After T-Visa granted, survivors receive a Certification Letter from HHS
With Certification Letter, survivors qualify for all federal and state benefits programs – same a refugees
Ex. Medicaid, cash assistance, public housing, SSI, food stamps

26. Family Reunification
Certain members of a T/U visa holder’s family can apply for derivative T/U visa status
If the T/U visa holder is under 21 years old, they can apply for their spouse, unmarried children, parents and unmarried siblings under 18;
If the T/U visa holder is 21+, they can apply for their spouses and unmarried children under 21 years old
Other members of T visa applicant/holder’s family if they are at risk of retaliation from the trafficker

27. Financial Assistance for Labor Trafficking Survivors
There is financial assistance available specifically for trafficking survivors
For both undocumented and documented individuals
Covers basic needs while becoming more stable and self-sufficient

28. Trauma Reactions that can Impact Connection to Services
Shelter may be highly triggering because of the rules, regulation of food, and multiple people sleeping in close quarters
Due to clients not knowing everyone involved in the trafficking, there may be an intense level of distrust of all people that can become debilitating
Any perceived attempt of control may be extremely triggering for clients
Feelings of dependence may also be triggering for clients to the point they struggle to receive any assistance, such as public benefits

29. Best Practices for Providing Services
Client Centered: Clients are provided with information and make their own choices
Trauma Informed: Understanding trauma and how it has impacted the client is imperative
Comprehensive: Includes knowledge of resources and basic legal remedies for trafficking

30. Finding programs that can help…
National Human Trafficking Hotline:
Office for Victims of Crime Directory of Crime Victim Services:
New York State Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance, Refugee Services: (518)
OVS Locate a Program: program

31. How You Can Make a Difference in the Fight Against Labor Trafficking
Stay Informed: Understand how policies impact labor trafficking and survivors (i.e. immigration policy, labor policy)
Advocate: To keep labor trafficking at the forefront of the discussions about human trafficking, and advocate for services for survivors
Identify: Assess your clients for labor trafficking and connect to services
Inform: Talk about worker’s rights and signs of labor exploitation and trafficking with clients

32. Questions?

33. Contact Information
Andrea Hughes, LMSW, Supervising Social Worker, (718) Julie Butkowski, Human Trafficking Case Manager, (716) ext 322 office Thank you!