‘Human Trafficking Prevention Month’ Aims to Stop $9 Billion Business

You probably didn’t realize it, but a month-long campaign against human trafficking is now underway around the country. President Obama declared January the “National Slavery and Human Trafficking Prevention Month.” In his presidential proclamation released early last week, he said:

“Fighting modern slavery and human trafficking is a shared responsibility. This month, I urge all Americans to educate themselves about all forms of modern slavery and the signs and consequences of human trafficking.”

In San Francisco, government officials, community representatives, service providers and enforcement officers launched the San Francisco Collaborative Against Human Trafficking (SFCAHT), including this directory of anti-trafficking services, to boost public awareness about the crime of human trafficking. District Attorney Kamala D. Harrison said:

This modern-day slavery will never end unless we raise awareness, strengthen the law and provide comprehensive support so victims can come out of the shadows. That means taking action in our courts, up in Sacramento and out on our streets so that this outrageous crime can be reported and perpetrators can be held accountable.

The collaborative is calling for the passage of legislation sponsored by Assembly member Sandré Swanson (D-Oakland), which would strengthen state law to give prosecutors the ability to prosecute child trafficking without having to prove coercion. The change would bring California law in line with the federal law.

The State Department estimates that there are between 14,500-17,500 people trafficked in the U.S. each year for modern-day slavery. San Francisco is a major transit point for traffickers because of its large international port. Annie Fukushima, the Anti-Trafficking Programs Coordinator at Standing Against Global Exploitation (SAGE) spoke on KPFA January 11 about the campaign and SFCAHT.

“There are estimates that 43 percent of trafficking in California occurs in the Bay Area. We see individuals trafficked from all over the world,“ Fukushima said.

A case that brought human trafficking to light in the Bay Area was the case of Lakireddy Bali Reddy, a Berkeley landlord convicted in 2001 for immigration fraud and trafficking minors for illegal sexual activity.

Reddy was exploiting the H-1B visa system to bring poor Indian workers into the U.S. as forced laborers. He brought them in claiming they were computer programmers and instead forced them to work in his restaurants and apartment buildings. Eventually sentenced to eight years in prison and forced to pay back $2 million, he was released in April 2008. (The Reddy family still operates many apartment complexes in the Berkeley area under the names of Reddy Realty and Everest Properties.)

In June, a center to offer help and shelter to victims of human trafficking will open in San Francisco. The Freedom House will offer a safe home and support for these victims.

As the recession continues to keep the economy down, the demand for human trafficking is up. Numerous international organizations warn that the global financial crisis is creating a bigger demand for cheap goods and services and an increase in trafficking, according to a Trafficking Persons Report issued by the State Department last November. The report states that

This growing poverty is making more people vulnerable to both labor and sex trafficking, boosting the supply side of human trafficking all over the world.

The Coalition to Abolish Slavery and Trafficking states there are about 27 million enslaved people around the world. For more on this horrendous problem, check out this Working ITT post by Michelle Chen about human labor and trafficking problems around the world, as well other pieces here and here.

Raising awareness about this ongoing assault on human rights can never be enough for the millions of people who don’t have a voice and are enslaved in the world’s fastest-growing criminal enterprise—a $9 billion industry, according to the Coalition to Abolish Slavery and Trafficking.

source: http://inthesetimes.com/working/entry/5416/human_trafficking_prevention_month_aims_to_stop_9_billion_business/

Man gets life sentences in girl’s kidnapping, assault

Edward Adams

A man convicted on multiple felony counts tied to the kidnapping and sexual assault of a 13-year-old girl three years ago was sentenced today to multiple life terms.

Edward Adams, 27, was convicted in November on one count of first-degree kidnapping, one count of battery with intent to commit sexual assault and seven counts of sexual assault for an incident that happened Dec. 14, 2007.

That afternoon, the girl, now 15, had plans with a friend after school. When those plans fell through, she began to walk home by herself.

At about 2:30 p.m., she encountered Adams, who was in a public area near a local junior high school.

He approached her from behind, grabbed her and said, “Don’t scream, don’t run, I have a gun,” she testified at the trial.

Adams then forced her to walk with him about a mile to an abandoned apartment near Buffalo Drive and Charleston Boulevard, where he assaulted her.

District Court Judge David Barker today sentenced Adams to a maximum of life on all of those counts, with each to run consecutively. He was sentenced to a one-year concurrent term for a single count of open and gross lewdness.

Prosecutor Craig Hendricks argued for the maximum sentence, calling Adams “one of the worst of the worst.”

“To kidnap a young child off the street is the worst thing that could possibly happen to a kid,” Hendricks said. “I guess the one good thing he did do is allowed her to leave and did not take her life.”

At trial, Adams’ defense contended the sex acts between the girl and the then-24-year-old man were consensual.

Adams didn’t speak during Wednesday’s hearing and expressed little emotion as the sentence was handed down.

His court-appointed attorney, Jeffrey Maningo, said Adams had submitted a written statement to the judge in which he expressed “regret and remorse” over what happened.

In arguments, Maningo and Hendricks both referred to Adams using methamphetamine at the time of the assault, although that wasn’t introduced at trial.

“I think methamphetamine is an absolute monster. There are daily crimes committed because of methamphetamine and it really does change a person’s character,” Maningo said.

He said Adams’ drug use wasn’t an excuse for what happened as much as it was an explanation of a possible catalyst.

Maningo asked the judge to run the terms concurrently. Had he done so, the earliest Adams could have stood before the parole board was in 10 years.

“I understand (the victim) and her family wanting all the big numbers stacked together,” he said. “But I don’t think it really achieves anything more than if you run them concurrently and allow the parole board to do their job.”

Before handing down his sentence, Barker referred to Adams’ prior felony convictions, adding that at the time of his arrest in this case he was a fugitive from parole in California.

Adams was a three-time felon at the time he victimized the young girl, Barker said.

“Mr. Adams, as a consequence of that history and the terrible things you did to this girl, you are and remain a continuing threat to this community,” Barker said.

Adams’ record didn’t include previous arrests for sexual assault, Maningo said. One of the crimes was for car theft.

In Nevada, multiple acts in a single criminal encounter can be charged separately, as they were in this case.

The only term that will run concurrently is the gross misdemeanor count of open and gross lewdness. For his felony convictions, he received a minimum of five years and a maximum of life on the kidnapping and battery charges; the sexual assault counts were a minimum of 10 and maximum of life.

The victim and her mother submitted written statements to the judge.

“On that day, for the long hour I was taken from my family, it was a horrible nightmare and all I can say is I wouldn’t wish this on my worst enemy,” the girl wrote. “I just hope you understand you have taken away a special part of my life that can’t ever be replaced.”

Her mother wrote that, “in my eyes, there is no sentence long enough.” She wrote that she didn’t believe Adams was sorry for what he had done and was critical of him for never showing emotion during any of his court appearances.

“Are you sorry? Well, all I can say is I hope today and this day forward you’re as scared as my daughter and my family was (the day of the assault).”

She thanked Adams for letting her daughter come home alive.

At trial, Adams was found not guilty on two other counts of sexual assault.

The earliest he would be eligible for parole is in 80 years.

source: http://www.lasvegassun.com/news/2010/jan/13/man-gets-life-sentences-girls-kidnapping-assault/

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Sex offender indicted in Foxwell kidnapping

A grand jury indicted a 30-year-old dual-state registered sex offender charged in the kidnapping of an 11-year-old girl that was found Christmas day.

Thomas James Leggs, a registered sex offender in Maryland and Delaware, was indicted on burglary and kidnapping charges on Monday according to court records.

Leggs was charged with abducting 11-year-old Sarah Haley Foxwell on Dec. 23 after her family reported her missing that morning.

Police launched a search for the missing Wicomico Middle School student and enlisted the help of more than 3,000 volunteers on Dec. 25. That evening, law enforcement announced that Foxwell’s body had been found by a team of investigators.

Leggs is the sole murder suspect, and the Wicomico County States Attorney’s Office expects to additional charges to be filed within 30 to 45 days.

He is currently being held without bond at the Wicomico County Detention Center. He has been isolated from other inmates at the jail, according to police.

source: http://www.delmarvanow.com/article/20100111/NEWS01/100111028/-1/newsfront2

Federal Indictment Charges Three Eugene Residents with Sex Trafficking of Minor Victim

Sharlise Michelle Duckworth, 27, appeared today before U.S. Magistrate Donald C. Ashmanskas, on a federal indictment charging sex trafficking of a minors and conspiracy to commit sex trafficking of minors. Duckworth entered a plea of not guilty, was released on pre-trial release conditions and ordered to report for trial on March 2, 2009. Conspiracy to commit sex trafficking of minors carries a maximum penalty of five years In prison and sex trafficking of minor has a mandatory minimum penalty of 10 years and maximum of life in prison.

The federal indictment alleges Duckworth and co-defendants Stanley Mack Spriggs Jr., a.k.a. “Bug”, 26, and Hollie Robin Spriggs 27, both of Eugene/Springfield were involved in a conspiracy to recruit, entice, and provide minor girls online to engage in sex acts for money. Defendants would take photographs of the minors that were used with commercial sex advertisements on Craigslist and other online advertising services. Hotel rooms were rented so the minors could engage in sex. All of the proceeds from the illegal activity was given to the defendants. The federal charges comes after a lengthy investigation conducted by the Eugene Police Department and Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).

Stanley Mack Spriggs is in state custody serving a prison sentence for unauthorized use of a motor vehicle. He will be arraigned at a later date. Hollie Robin Spriggs has been served with a summons to appear U.S. District Court, Portland on January 20, 2010.

An indictment is only an accusation of a crime, and a defendant should be presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

This case was brought by the Oregon Human Trafficking Task Force (OHTTF). The OHTTF was created in May of 2005. Led by the U.S. Attorney’s Office, the task force provides a comprehensive collaborative approach to combat human trafficking through partnerships between federal, state, local law enforcement, social service providers, and other government and non-government agencies. For more information about OHTTF visit http://www.oregonoath.org. To provide a local tip on a human trafficking please call Multnomah County Sheriff Deputy Sgt. Keith Bickford at (503) 251-2479. You can also report human trafficking tip to the National Human Trafficking Resource Center at 1-888-373-7888 or go online to NHTRC@PolarisProject.org.

This case was investigated by the Eugene Police Department and the FBI. Assistant United States Attorney Kemp L. Strickland is handling the prosecution of the case.

source: http://portland.fbi.gov/dojpressrel/pressrel09/pd123009.htm

Super Bowl 2010 may attract more sex traffickers to Miami

Experts raise concerns over the risk of increase in sex trafficking and child prostitution during Super Bowl  in 2010. This year, the all American celebrated national event will be held in Miami, Florida. According to F.R.E.E. International, an anti-human trafficking group based in New York, traffickers and pimps are planning on bringing additional number of women and children for prostitution during the Super Bowl in Miami. A big events like Super Bowl is almost always accompanied by the increase in sexual services and online advertisement for prostitution, according to the expert. In 2008, the experts at Polaris Project in Colorado also executed prevented efforts to countermeasure the risk of increased sex trafficking during the event.

In particular, the Florida law enforcement authority’s recent observation evidences that the risk of  increase in human trafficking is  particularly strong in Miami. While a big even like Super Bowl alone poses the risk of increase in sex trafficking in the area, the law enforcement recently recognized human trafficking as one of the three rising major crimes in Florida, which is driven by domestic servitude and prostitution.[1]

Free International, in a joint effort with Florida coalition against human trafficking and other organizations, are planning on executing a direct outreach program  for international as well as domestic human trafficking victims. The organization, apart from the donation for their trip to Miami, also is planning on working with volunteers across the state.

For more information, visit  F.r.e.e. International

source: http://tinyurl.com/yhhv3q7

California Against Slavery Drafts Ballot Initiative To Strengthen Human Trafficking Laws

California Against Slavery today announced a state ballot initiative to strengthen human trafficking laws and increase trafficking victims’ rights. The initiative would revise state law to increase the sentences and fines for human trafficking offenses, add the sex trafficking of minors as a distinct type of a trafficking offense, mandate human trafficking training for law enforcement officers, and improve victims’ restitution rights. The initiative also boosts funding for organizations that serve trafficking victims, providing that at least 50% of seized trafficker assets and fines assessed against traffickers will go to community-based organizations that provide direct services to victims. Human trafficking is a modern-day form of slavery and its victims are subjected to force, fraud, or coercion, for the purpose of sexual exploitation or forced labor. It happens in the United States and worldwide. Due to the covert nature of the crime, it is difficult to quantify the scope of human trafficking, but experts suggest the problem is large and growing. An unknown number of U.S. citizens and legal residents are trafficked within the United States, primarily for sexual servitude, according to the U.S. Department of State [1]. Many victims are minors. An estimated 286,506 minors in the United States are at risk of becoming victims of commercial sexual exploitation, according to a report from the University of Pennsylvania [2]. Labor trafficking also happens in the United States in domestic service, factories, farms, restaurants, and other work sites. Worldwide, human trafficking is the fastest growing criminal industry and it is tied with the illegal arms industry as the second largest criminal industry [3]. An estimated 17,500 people are trafficked into the United States each year, according to the U.S. Department of State [4]. California is a prime target for human traffickers because of its international borders, port cities, large economy, and metropolitan regions [5]. Despite the prevalence of the problem, current California law does not reflect the severity of the crime. A human trafficking offense is currently punishable by a state prison sentence of three to five years for trafficking of an adult or four to eight years for trafficking of a minor [6]. “Human trafficking is a criminal industry and it flourishes where the law is weak,” said Daphne Phung, executive director of California Against Slavery. “The initiative will make this crime less lucrative and provide much needed assistance to victims that are often overlooked in the justice system.” California Against Slavery will begin collecting signatures for the initiative on Jan. 25, 2010. The goal is to collect one million signatures by March 31, 2010, to place the initiative on the November 2010 ballot. For more information and to read the initiative, please visit http://www.CaliforniaAgainstSlavery.org About California Against Slavery: California Against Slavery is a non-profit group organized by Californians appalled by the injustice of modern day slavery in our state and around the world. Our mission is to strengthen California state laws to better reflect the personal and societal impact of human trafficking. Our goal is to pass an initiative on the November 2010 California General Election ballot to strengthen current human trafficking laws and increase victims’ rights. http://www.CaliforniaAgainstSlavery.org/ References: [1] U.S. Department of State Trafficking in Persons Report 2009 http://www.state.gov/g/tip/rls/tiprpt/2009/123133.htm [2] University of Pennsylvania, Richard J. Estes and Neil Alan Weiner The Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children in the U.S., Canada, and Mexico, September 19, 2001 Click to access Exec_Sum_020220.pdf This report was cited on page 2 of the “Domestic Human Trafficking” report from the Human Smuggling and Trafficking Center. Human Smuggling and Trafficking Center, U.S. Department of State Domestic Human Trafficking: An Internal Issue, December 2008 Click to access 113612.pdf [3] U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Human Trafficking Fact Sheet http://www.acf.hhs.gov/trafficking/about/fact_human.html Click to access fact_human.pdf [4] U.S. Department of State Trafficking in Persons Report 2004 http://www.state.gov/g/tip/rls/tiprpt/2004/34021.htm [5] California Alliance to Combat Trafficking and Slavery Task Force Human Trafficking in California Report, October 2007 Click to access Human_Trafficking_in_CA-Final_Report-2007.pdf [6] California Penal Code Section 236.1 http://info.sen.ca.gov/cgi-bin/displaycode?section=pen&group=00001-01000&file=236-237 California Office of Homeland Security California Human Trafficking Legislation (from 2005 to 2007 only) http://www.homeland.ca.gov/human_trafficking_legislation.html Governor Schwarzenegger Signs Legislation to Combat Human Trafficking (9/21/05) http://gov.ca.gov/index.php?/press-release/1409/

Contact Info Daphne Phung California Against Slavery P.O. Box 7057 Fremont, CA 94537 Phone: (510) 473-7283 Website: http://www.CaliforniaAgainstSlavery.org source: http://www.prurgent.com/2010-01-13/pressrelease72932.htm

Wake Up Call

It’s the subject of gritty documentary filmmaking and several award-winning Hollywood movies. From Slumdog Millionaire to Born Into Brothels, many of us have witnessed the horrors of human trafficking seated in the air-conditioned comfort of our living rooms or the local movie theater. But for the thousands of men, women and children who have been enslaved against their will, this is a reality they see every day. And if you believe it only happens in far-off places, well, you are sadly mistaken.

According to the U.S. Department of State, the number of men, women and children smuggled into the country for forced labor, sexual exploitation and bride trafficking (more commonly known as “mail order bride”) has increased exponentially within the last two decades.

Each year, an estimated 14,000 to 17,500 arrive in the U.S. after being coerced, manipulated or kidnapped. Worldwide, 1.2 million children are trafficked to a number of destination countries, and of these, more than 300,000 children from the U.S. are forced or manipulated into the sex-trafficking trade. As you can imagine, the emotional, physical and psychological trauma is devastating for these victims, many of whom are forced to remain enslaved for fear that the loved ones they left behind will be harmed, even killed.

Like many parts of the world, in Hawai‘i, this modern-day form of slavery is a silent epidemic. But there are some who are determined to stop it.

Since January 2009, the Pacific Alliance to Stop Slavery (P.A.S.S.) set out to “educate the public about the growing problem of human trafficking, provide aftercare and support to victims, outreach to unidentified or unrecognized victims, advocate for the passage of local state legislation to make human trafficking a felony offense and to ensure the enforcement of such legislation.”

While federal law strictly prohibits human trafficking, penalties lack teeth in many states, including Hawai‘i, where human trafficking is not a felony offense. Recently, the Honolulu City Council passed a resolution recognizing the issue in Hawai‘i, urging the State Legislature to consider legislation that would impose fitting punishments.

Abolitionist organizations like P.A.S.S. are also pushing for stricter anti-trafficking legislation, criminalization statutes and provisions for victim protection and assistance programs. And they aren’t alone.

On Maui, a group of young men and women are spreading awareness of human trafficking throughout the months of January and February. The Awaken Tour is a faith-based organization that addresses the local and global effects of human trafficking through music, art and teaching.

The group has visited communities throughout the nation over the past nine months, and in February, a team will be traveling to Thailand.

Visit www.traffickjamming.org or call the P.A.S.S. Hotline at (808) 343-5056. Visit www.awakentour.com or call Holly Morrell at 298-7852 to learn more.

source: http://www.mauiweekly.com/page/content.detail/id/500880/Wake-Up-Call.html?nav=9

World Vision Launches Public Appeal Amid Fears For The Children Of Haiti

World Vision is increasingly concerned about vulnerable children as it begins it relief efforts in the devastated Haitian capital Port-au-Prince.

The aid agency believes the loss of life is likely to be significant following the 7.0 magnitude earthquake which struck at 5pm on Tuesday (Jan 12 – local time). Thousands of people have also been made homeless and are in urgent need of medical care, clean water, shelter and food.

With 30 years experience of working in Haiti and emergency supplies and equipment prepositioned in country, World Vision has already mobilised its relief response despite challenging conditions. “World Vision Haiti will distribute first aid kits to survivors, along with basic materials such as soap, blankets, clothes and bottles of water as an initial response,” said Maggie Boyer, a World Vision staffer in Haiti. In addition World Vision’s 370 staff in Haiti, who mostly work in rural development programmes around the country, have been redeployed and are now making their to Port-au-Prince to assist.

But it is the children, World Vision says who will be the most vulnerable as a result of this tragedy. The child-focused aid agency is warning that thousands of children in Haiti are already forced into modern day slavery, and hundreds of thousands more lack parental care.

In addition Haiti has the worst indicators on child health and education in the Western hemisphere, and levels of child rights violations are alarming.

Amanda Rives, who works for World Vision’s Latin America and the Caribbean Regional Office said: “We are very concerned about the protection and well-being of the children. An earthquake of this magnitude is an extremely traumatic experience for children.

Many children may be injured or separated from their families. Our priority is ensuring that children’s physical and emotional needs are met, both now and in the coming weeks.”

World Vision New Zealand has launched an official public appeal to support the relief work and long-term rehabilitation programmes which will be required.

New Zealanders are asked to urgently lend a hand and make a donation by calling 0800 80 2000 or pledging $30 through their Telecom account by phoning 0900 4 HOPE. Alternatively donations can be made via the website: http://www.worldvision.org.nz.

source: http://www.voxy.co.nz/national/world-vision-launches-public-appeal-amid-fears-children-haiti/5/35325

Federal jury convicts previously deported man on sex trafficking charges

SAN DIEGO – A previously deported Mexican national, who operated an outdoor brothel in a remote local canyon, could receive life in prison following his conviction on federal human trafficking charges, including two counts of by force.

Adrian Zitlalpopoca-Hernandez, 32, of Tlaxcala, Mexico, was found guilty by a jury last week on charges stemming from a year-long joint investigation by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and the San Diego Sheriff’s Office (SDSO). Zitlalpopoca is scheduled to be sentenced April 12 before District Court Judge Rodger T. Benitez.

Zitlalpopoca-Hernandez was arrested in November 2008 during a vehicle stop while transporting two female passengers. The women were later identified as sex trafficking victims who had been forced by Zitlalpopoca to work as prostitutes at an outdoor brothel in Valley Center that catered to illegal aliens in North County.

Several days after Zitlalpopoca was taken into custody, ICE agents arrested two co-defendants, also from Tlaxcala, Mexico, at an apartment in North County. In April 2009, all three men were named in a superseding indictment after theinvestigation revealed they had operated the family-run, outdoor brothel for at least six months.

Eduardo Aguila-Tecuapacho, 26, and Carlos Txompantzi-Serrano, 36, both pleaded guilty to charges of importation of an alien for immoral purposes in November 2008. They are also expected to be sentenced in April.

All three men are illegal aliens and face deportation after completing their criminal sentences.

“This verdict is gratifying given the deplorable conditions the victims in this case were forced to endure,” said Jose Garcia, acting special agent in charge for ICE Office of Investigations inSan Diego . “While we can’t erase the suffering these women experienced, by aggressively investigating and prosecuting these cases, ICE and its law enforcement partners are sending a powerful warning about the consequences facing those responsible for such schemes.”

The verdict came on the eve of National Human Trafficking Awareness Day, established to heighten public awareness about human trafficking, including the link to cross-border smuggling activity at the U.S.-Mexico border.

ICE’s overall goal is to prevent human trafficking in the United States by prosecuting the traffickers, and rescuing and protecting the victims. In fiscal year 2008, ICE initiated 432human trafficking investigations. That figure includes 262 investigations involving commercial sexual exploitation and 170 investigations of forced labor. During that same time frame, ICEhuman trafficking investigations resulted in 189 arrests, 126 indictments and 126 convictions.

(Source: ICE)

Group sets goal to free six child slaves

A group of CCCHS students gathered Monday morning to do something about child slavery and set a goal to raise enough to free six child slaves.

The students have put on red tags that say “SOLD” on their back packs to represent that one out of twelve children in the world is either working as a labor slave or has been sold into slavery as a sex slave. They’ve also started collecting money at cans placed at the school’s English classes and are selling T-shirts for $10.

“We got you out of class today because a group of us believe we can change the world,” Krista Wiss told a bunch of high school students Monday.

That group of students attended a seminar in Tennessee that talked about sex trafficking and child labor, Wiss said. That inspired them to get on board with Loose Change to Loosen Chains, an umbrella organization that’s part of the International Justice Mission.

“We wanted to get involved and help those who can’t help themselves,” said Brielle Lund, part of the group that attended the seminar.

Slavery just isn’t an overseas issue, but one that’s closer to home than you think, Wiss said. Human trafficking occurs at brothels in New Orleans and as close as Wichita, she said.

“Girls as young as 5, their families sell them into slavery to pay their bills,” Wiss said. “Little kids — think about when you were a little kid, did you watch Tom and Jerry and get on the couch and eat your cereal? These little kids don’t get to do that. They work seven days a week dawn to night, so they don’t do anything.”

There are more slaves in the world today than there ever were, 27 million of them, Morgan Bradford said, although slavery is not all that common in the US, so Americans tend not to think much about it, she said.

“Us Americans have a big influence on the rest of the world,” Bradford said. “Just because we don’t know about slavery doesn’t mean we can’t do something about it.”
The average age of prostitution is 10-14, the students said.

“Think about that,” Bradford said, “middle schoolers being forced to have sex with people.

The price of freedom is about $500 for the paperwork and support service needed to free a labor slave and twice that much for a sex slave. The students have set a goal to free four labor slaves and two sex slaves, for which they will need $4,000.

The students are working with a few church groups on this effort, including the youth group at Evangelical Covenant Church.

source: http://www.zwire.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=20402137&BRD=1160&PAG=461&dept_id=190958&rfi=6