Wednesday, February 22, 2012

Human Trafficking


Human trafficking is a form of slavery. International Victims can enter the country the United States, either legally or illegally. American citizens can also be victims of this crime. Victims are exploited by means of isolation, threats, fraud, force or coercion. Human trafficking is not about the distances traveled, it is about the dynamics of the relationship. The victims include women, men and children who do sex work, domestic servitude, agricultural work or commercial work.

In the U.S., Human Trafficking is a crime.
Often victims are not in possession of their legal documents, and they often say they owe money or a debt to their employer or patron for cost incurred for travel, food, rent, medical bills, and/or fines for bad conduct.
International victims rarely go to the police because:

  • They are in a new and unknown country.
  • They do not speak English.
  • They have few resources and do not know their legal options.
  • Few family and friends here.
  • They fear deportation.

American citizens rarely go to the police because they do not self-identify as a victim, and usually believe that the love their pimp and the pimp loves them
Victims of international trafficking may qualify for economic and medical benefits:

  • TANF
  • Medical benefits
  • SSI
  • Food stamps

It is also possible that victims may qualify for legal immigrant protections (Continued Presence, T visas, U visa or VAWA).
Resources for American citizens are limited.

Help and Resources in Texas

Trafficking Information and Referrals (national hotline) 1-888-373-7888
Austin – Central Texas Coaliton Against Human Trafficking, 512-472-9472  (www.CTCAHT.org)
Dallas – Mosaic Family Services, 214-821-5393  (www.mosaicservices.org)
El Paso – Salvation Army, 915-487-7546
Ft. Worth – North Texas Anti-Trafficking Task Force, 817- 378-1531  (www.ntcaht.org)
Houston – YMCA International, Houston Trafficked Persons Assistance Program 713-339-9015
After 5 pm 713-339-9783 (www.cahthouston.org)
San Antonio – South TX Coalition Against Human Trafficking/Slavery, Catholic Charities – (210) 242-3134 (www.ccaosa.org/imm_ref/imm_ref.html)
Waco – Heart of Texas – Stop Trafficking of Persons (HOTSTOP) 254-710-4434
Texas Association of Judiciary Interpreters & Translators    512-789-8260   (www.tajit.org)
Migration and Refugee Services  202-541-3170   (www.usccb.org/mrs)

International victims have the option of calling their embassy and speaking with an attorney in their native tongue.