Combating Human Trafficking – What YOU Can Do About it

By Sultana F. Ali, Christina Hansen, and Michael Jadoo

Human trafficking; we have all heard this unfortunate and tragic human rights violation referred to as “modern slavery,” but do we really know what it looks like and how we can help? On September 23^rd, the United Nations Association of the National Capital Area (UNA-NCA) Human Rights Committee held an event at The George Washington University with an expert panel discussion and resource fair with organizations dedicated to combating human trafficking. UNA-NCA President Don Bliss opened the event by citing the Universal Declaration of Human Rights: “Whereas recognition of the inherent dignity and of the equal and inalienable rights of all members of the human family is the foundation of freedom, justice and peace in the world,” to set the tone for the evening. He then addressed the issue by stating that, “trafficking has no respect for sovereign borders and should be treated as a crime by the UN.” Essentially, we have to work together globally to address these issues, but we must also act locally. 

Moderator and former UNA-NCA president Ed Elmendorf, set the stage by discussing the resource fair and placing the impetus on YOU (each one of us) to act , his hope was that at the end of the evening, each of us will have  specific actions audience attendees can and should take to combat human trafficking.

The first panelist, Ambassador Mark Lagon, a key writer on the Trafficking in Persons Report published by the U.S. Department of State, told a story of a Nepalese woman who had been placed deeply into debt by an unregulated working agreement and was treated with violence; she had been punished by being burned with an iron. “Human trafficking is extreme exploitation – whether at a rice mill in India or a sex trafficking victim in the U.S.” He cited statistics on this terrible trend. At a minimum, there are 21 million human trafficking victims estimated by International Labor Organization (ILO) and only 45,000 survivors were found and even fewer traffickers were prosecuted. He identified the potential reasons some are lured into trafficking – from marginalized people lacking better alternatives, to the potential desperation of individuals, to rule of law unable to protect people from traffickers. He quoted Gary Haugen (InternationalJustice Mission) and Irene Khan (AmnestyInternational) who said, “Without access to justice we cannot help the poor help themselves.” The U.S. must be an exemplar, as a vigorous promoter of policy to fight human trafficking around the world – to help victims, and build capacity and partnerships to tackle this problem. The message needs to go to prosecutors and legislators of all areas: the U.S. has to go beyond just the physical and medical care; it is important to also provide mental care to deal with long-term trauma and help survivors reclaim dignity. We have to fund the right organizations who are fighting human trafficking. Funding for organizations helping survivors has remained at the same level for eight years, even though these organizations are helping victims in a variety of ways - including preventing honor killings for sex trafficking survivors to transitioning victims to a new life.

 

The Role of Multilateral Institutions

Ambassador Mark Lagon recounted the UN agencies that touch this issue, including the UN Office of Drugs and Crime, ILO, and UNICEF. While the coordination can be improved interagency, these organizations are doing work to create baseline data. The ILO calculated that $150 billion is earned on the backs of enslaved people each year. He urged the UN to focus even more on reporting. The UN’s work on gender issues has brought to light that 55% of sex trafficking victims are female. It is critical that survivors have actual access to justice. People have to have confidence in the justice system and social programs to support them when they ask for help. It is important to strengthen partnerships between government, private sector, multi-lateral institutions, and NGOs to help tackle this problem. Amb. Lagon left attendees with the four key lessons: it is important to have the mechanism to measure the extent of this problem, both globally and in the U.S; set up parameters to ensure our efforts are working; make sure partners’ missions are in alignment; and be clear about the motives in partnerships and make sure those motives will create positive results.

Acting Locally to Make a Difference

The magnitude of the problem nationally, and specifically, the Washington, DC metro area, is surprisingly large. Tina Frundt, the founder and director of Courtney’s House, which is the only survivor-run and African-American woman-run non-profit for combatting human trafficking in the DC area, addressed the attendees about this local issue. All survivors have a say in the development of Courtney’s House programs; providing them with an opportunity to have a voice. Her trafficking situation started at the age of 9 and ended in her late 20s. She knows firsthand how difficult it can be to receive services since most social programs are catered to girls under the age of 18. There is a lack of programs for boys and those over the age of 18. Courtney’s House helps those up to the age of 21 but won’t let people “age out” of their program. At Courtney’s house, there are no victims, only survivors! Currently their street trafficking program is helping 52 survivors and there are 37 more on the waiting list. Most survivors are in suburban areas in neighborhoods that are quite affluent. With a drop-in center, a housing program, and hotline, her organization fills the void given that no standard of care for those trying to escape sex trafficking currently exists. Surprisingly, only 5% of referrals come from law enforcement. Most referrals come from survivors and 44% of all referrals come from parents who are actively looking for their child. Tina Frundt challenged people to get involved by using the skills they have. There are many ways to help including educating children we know in words they can understand, and volunteering for an organization that helps survivors (cooking meals, sewing, etc.). She emphasized doing nothing when you learn so much isn’t helping the problem.

In understanding of the mission to act locally, UNA-NCA also hosted nearly 20 organizations at a resource fair following the panel discussion.  This organizations, largely based out of DC, represented a broad range of the work being done to combat human trafficking, both within DC and locally, and presented ways to event attendees to begin making an immediate impact on this cause.

Advocating to Fight the Cause

Mike Beard, Director of Advocacy at the United Nations Association and Global Health Director of the Better World Campaign, mentioned the first “World Day Against Human Trafficking” and spoke to increased engagement on the issue. The 2015 Millennium Development Goals (MDG) have helped to create accountability and rule of law to help transition more people out of poverty. As part of the post-2015 MDG efforts, the UN has engaged NGOs through open working groups, obtaining inputs from people around the world. Human trafficking was an issue that upraised in all parts of the work and in different contexts: from ending slavery, labor trafficking, to sex trafficking. We need a global effort and for all countries are to be held accountable. One key effort we need to make is on birth certificates; all people should have a birth certificate, but 290 million (45% of all children) do not possess this critical document that can help to protect their rights. Every child has a right to be counted and access to legal protections from their government; this begins with having a birth certificate. Through the GirlUp campaign, they are communicating to legislators on this issue. They are building a movement in support of the campaign “Passport to Protection,” a campaign advocating for universal birth certificates. This small step can provide an additional mechanism to fight human trafficking. There is also a focus on a “data revolution” to move from estimates to real data to get to the heart of the issue and reach the most disparate of victims. Mike Beard called on the audience to beyond signing petitions and liking Facebook pages and to participate in direct activism. Most members of Congress have coffee times to talk issues with constituents. Be a voice for the people who do not have voice and tell your congressperson to take action to combat trafficking.

Join UNA-NCA to get involved and “be the change you wish to see in the world.” (Mahatma Gandhi)