More good news today out of Washington - and from multiple news sources, including Bloomberg and Fox News.
While members of the generations ahead of me are not always partial to the world of social media, I hope that this story could change their minds and help them to see one of its great benefits - according to an assistant FBI director Ron Hosko, authorities rescued 105 children from sex slavery on July 26-28 via a sting operation. One of the main resources used to locate victims? You guessed it...social media. Classified ads were also included in "the sweep," but both were clear components to the operation.
According to Bloomberg reporter Phil Mattingly, "the three-day operation covered 76 cities and 230 federal, state, and local law enforcement groups." In addition to the 105 children who were rescued, 150 pimps and "other people" were arrested.
The operation, titled "Cross-Country," has apparently been "the seventh of its kind as federal and state law enforcement authorities have increased their focus on child sex trafficking in recent years," and is part of "FBI's 'Innocence Lost' Initiative."
I almost want to take back everything I have previously stated about government authorities prior to this post - but I don't want to go that far. Perhaps the problem in locating trafficking victims does not stem from the federal government, but rather from local governments not recognizing victims when cases are brought to their attention, as in Utah's SECURE Strike Force.
The other problem, other than governments, can relate to news coverage. We don't know about trafficking cases because they are not publicized. We have to search through Google "news" search results in order to find cases relating to human trafficking. This sting operation is quite the story - however, after visiting the Fox News homepage, it was nowhere to be found - it was only found after searching through the site and Google "news" search results. I am hard-pressed to say that I can find the story anywhere else except for local news outlets - even CNN did not carry the story.
I give a lot of credit to the FBI for pursing "Operation Cross-Country." I hope to see more of these operations in the future. I just hope that the public gets to hear about it without the aid of extensive Google searches. These types of stories could motivate everyday citizens to either donate to an organization like Love146, or the Not Today Coalition. They could inspire volunteer efforts and future building of safe homes. All we need to have is more publicity - I can only imagine someone who is not educated in the issue reading the story, and feeling amazed that human trafficking even occurs in the United States, notwithstanding the need for an FBI sting operation spanning 76 cities.
Wednesday, July 31, 2013
Tuesday, July 30, 2013
Monday, July 29, 2013
Hell in Mongolia
My media professor passed this article along to me over the weekend, knowing full well that I would be interested.
In spite of the sad nature of the article, which is actually an excerpt from the author's book Apologies to My Censor, I need to acknowledge that I was truly captivated by Mitch Moxley's writing. His descriptions of what visitors may have no choice but to witness upon a visit to the Mongolian cities Erlian and Maccu. It made me wonder - are captivating, first-hand accounts by witnesses to this Hell another method of spreading awareness of trafficking? Surely, someone who has never addressed the problem previously could be intrigued by reading an article (or a book, for that matter) of this type.
Moxley and his former co-worker Tom Mackenzie had worked together on Asia Weekly magazine, and were now looking for freelance work since the magazine had gone under. After their former boss gave the tip of "sex sells," they initially thought about writing a story on the night club, housed in their home area of Beijing - "Maggie's, the night club frequented by lonely expat businessmen, certain China Daily foreign experts, and Mongolian prostitutes."
The former co-workers did their homework, and discovered that "between 3,000 and 5,000 Mongolian women and girls [are] lured and forced into prostitution in foreign countries each year." They next surmised that they would have to visit the cities of Erlian (apparently, a "thriving oil town" as well as a "major human trafficking hub") and Maccu ("the Las Vegas of Asia").
The trips proved difficult, but for the sake of spreading the word, they were worth it. Moxley recounts walking through the streets of Erlian with Mackenzie and their photographer - they hired a driver to essentially give them a tour of the old city. Even the hotel had condoms and sex toys in the dresser drawer - what Moxley refers to as "the first signs of Erlian's sex trade." The center of town is occupied by a statue of a woman, and Moxley discusses just how foreign he and his cohorts feel walking through the center street lined with nondescript brothels - "in glass-fronted rooms, women of varying ages were curled up on couches, yawning and watching television."
The cohorts even had the opportunity to speak with some of the girls - one who they interviewed in a brothel in Erlian stated that "they took us to different rooms in a hotel and and showed us Chinese girls who had been raped. They said, 'Take a look, this is what will happen if you don't do this.'"
The situation in Maccu, as Moxley describes it, was worse. Moxley makes sure to mention that the hotels lining the "strip" in Maccu are the same name brand hotels that line the Las Vegas strip - the Wynn, the Venetian, just to name a few. However, while they were "just as impressive as their Vegas counterparts," they "felt soulless." The cohorts, disguised as clients, even had the opportunity (if we can even call it that?) to attend an auction involving women being used for sex.
I do not want to use this post as a complete paraphrase of Moxley's work - it would certainly not do it justice, and I certainly recommend that you read his complete text (maybe I will too!). Perhaps a story like Moxley's - and the work put in by him and Mackenzie and their photographer - will make front page news and assist in spreading awareness. We are so far away from the problem (at least in this particular case), and such a vivid account can have the potential to bring the problem further into our consciousness.
This is not a movie, folks. This is real life. The only way for Moxley and Mackenzie to get into the auction was to pose as the very thing they were (are) trying to fight. The market is so secretive (though Moxley does recall solicitors coming up to his group in the street and very secretly asking if they wanted girls) that the only way in, to rescue or to spread awareness, is to go undercover. The courage of this group goes beyond comprehension.
In spite of the sad nature of the article, which is actually an excerpt from the author's book Apologies to My Censor, I need to acknowledge that I was truly captivated by Mitch Moxley's writing. His descriptions of what visitors may have no choice but to witness upon a visit to the Mongolian cities Erlian and Maccu. It made me wonder - are captivating, first-hand accounts by witnesses to this Hell another method of spreading awareness of trafficking? Surely, someone who has never addressed the problem previously could be intrigued by reading an article (or a book, for that matter) of this type.
Moxley and his former co-worker Tom Mackenzie had worked together on Asia Weekly magazine, and were now looking for freelance work since the magazine had gone under. After their former boss gave the tip of "sex sells," they initially thought about writing a story on the night club, housed in their home area of Beijing - "Maggie's, the night club frequented by lonely expat businessmen, certain China Daily foreign experts, and Mongolian prostitutes."
The former co-workers did their homework, and discovered that "between 3,000 and 5,000 Mongolian women and girls [are] lured and forced into prostitution in foreign countries each year." They next surmised that they would have to visit the cities of Erlian (apparently, a "thriving oil town" as well as a "major human trafficking hub") and Maccu ("the Las Vegas of Asia").
The trips proved difficult, but for the sake of spreading the word, they were worth it. Moxley recounts walking through the streets of Erlian with Mackenzie and their photographer - they hired a driver to essentially give them a tour of the old city. Even the hotel had condoms and sex toys in the dresser drawer - what Moxley refers to as "the first signs of Erlian's sex trade." The center of town is occupied by a statue of a woman, and Moxley discusses just how foreign he and his cohorts feel walking through the center street lined with nondescript brothels - "in glass-fronted rooms, women of varying ages were curled up on couches, yawning and watching television."
The cohorts even had the opportunity to speak with some of the girls - one who they interviewed in a brothel in Erlian stated that "they took us to different rooms in a hotel and and showed us Chinese girls who had been raped. They said, 'Take a look, this is what will happen if you don't do this.'"
The situation in Maccu, as Moxley describes it, was worse. Moxley makes sure to mention that the hotels lining the "strip" in Maccu are the same name brand hotels that line the Las Vegas strip - the Wynn, the Venetian, just to name a few. However, while they were "just as impressive as their Vegas counterparts," they "felt soulless." The cohorts, disguised as clients, even had the opportunity (if we can even call it that?) to attend an auction involving women being used for sex.
I do not want to use this post as a complete paraphrase of Moxley's work - it would certainly not do it justice, and I certainly recommend that you read his complete text (maybe I will too!). Perhaps a story like Moxley's - and the work put in by him and Mackenzie and their photographer - will make front page news and assist in spreading awareness. We are so far away from the problem (at least in this particular case), and such a vivid account can have the potential to bring the problem further into our consciousness.
This is not a movie, folks. This is real life. The only way for Moxley and Mackenzie to get into the auction was to pose as the very thing they were (are) trying to fight. The market is so secretive (though Moxley does recall solicitors coming up to his group in the street and very secretly asking if they wanted girls) that the only way in, to rescue or to spread awareness, is to go undercover. The courage of this group goes beyond comprehension.
Wednesday, July 24, 2013
A response to a fellow blogger, and his idealism
It appears I'm not the only cyberspace writer who is discussing human trafficking and sex slavery - a member of another anti-slavery coalition/foundation has contributed a blog post to Fox News, and he makes some fair points.
Brent Martz produced a film titled "Not Today - The Movie," promoted by the Not Today Coalition. The coalition, as does Martz' contributing post, focuses on the problem of human trafficking in India, specifically Dalit women (see "Who are Dalits?" for more specifics) . The title of the post is actually "Human trafficking will not end until it ends in India." My first response (prior to actually reading the post): Why?
Turns out Mr. Martz essentially knew I'd be coming up with the question, as he raises the question himself: "But with 27 million modern-day slaves around the world, 100,000 of which are child prostitutes in the United States, why do the Dalits matter?" I'm glad he could essentially read my train of thought - I don't feel so ignorant anymore.
Martz goes on to say that "the Dalits matter because human trafficking will not come to an end around the world, until it comes to an end in India." Yeah, okay, so it's a big issue in India...but what else? It's a big issue in the U.S., Russia, and Kenya too. However, Martz backs up his hypothetical questions with facts. He cites statistics direct from the U.N., which indicate that "India is the epicenter of human trafficking - including 100 million people, with 1.2 million child prostitutes." These statistics alone lead to a statement of fact from the U.N.: "the most dangerous place in the world to a girl or woman is India."
I don't usually tell personal stories in my posts - or write about tangential topics - but before I continue to discuss statistics, I have a relevant experience that I need to share. Upon my graduation from college I worked for four and a half months as a crowd control worker in the Magic Kingdom in Walt Disney World in Florida. Around mid-fall (November, prior to Thanksgiving and the start of the holiday season) I'd noticed an influx of tourists of Indian descent coming to visit the Magic Kingdom - all of who came toting toddler-age or younger children. The parents had a different urgency about the manner in which they monitored their children that was different from the parenting of their American counterparts. In one particular case, an adult of Indian descent approached me about getting first aid for her child who was suffering from asthma. I directed her and her child toward the first aid pavilion, which seemed to be a workable solution at first. On our way to the pavilion, the mother questioned me about if her child would be supervised while receiving care, if the child would get lost while waiting for first aid, and other questions about her child being lost - that at the time, seemed irrational to me, especially since Disney World is so well-staffed.
I asked a friend of mine who I know from high school, who is of Indian descent, why parents who share her culture are seemingly obsessed with making sure their kids don't get lost - and she had an answer that makes even more sense now (after reading this blog post) than it did at the time. The parents are afraid of kidnappers.
However, Martz' story goes on to state that Dalits give up their children to slavery "for a mere $17." He also makes another excellent point - that Dalits are not well trained in self-esteem as members of the lowest caste in India's former caste system. The caste system is long since outlawed - but government officials do not even have the decency to inform the Dalits that they no longer have to worry about castes.
Martz' does go on to give what ultimately turns out to be a commercial for the Not Today Coalition; however, he is quick to offer solutions to the trafficking problems among the Dalits. He discusses education, "teachers who believe in them [Dalits]," and "community" before going to details of his Not Today Coalition. The coalition's goal is to "fund 1,000 schools, affecting 25,000 communities, impacting 500,000 Dalit children per year."
Clearly Mr. Martz has done his homework. The numbers seem idealistic, but his type of idealism is what is needed to combat the worldwide problem of sex slavery. Maybe it does start in India and it will grow - it certainly has to start somewhere. Idealism - rather than half-assed legislation - is what will spark what Mr. Martz calls "doing" rather than "shouting."
I asked a friend of mine who I know from high school, who is of Indian descent, why parents who share her culture are seemingly obsessed with making sure their kids don't get lost - and she had an answer that makes even more sense now (after reading this blog post) than it did at the time. The parents are afraid of kidnappers.
However, Martz' story goes on to state that Dalits give up their children to slavery "for a mere $17." He also makes another excellent point - that Dalits are not well trained in self-esteem as members of the lowest caste in India's former caste system. The caste system is long since outlawed - but government officials do not even have the decency to inform the Dalits that they no longer have to worry about castes.
Martz' does go on to give what ultimately turns out to be a commercial for the Not Today Coalition; however, he is quick to offer solutions to the trafficking problems among the Dalits. He discusses education, "teachers who believe in them [Dalits]," and "community" before going to details of his Not Today Coalition. The coalition's goal is to "fund 1,000 schools, affecting 25,000 communities, impacting 500,000 Dalit children per year."
Clearly Mr. Martz has done his homework. The numbers seem idealistic, but his type of idealism is what is needed to combat the worldwide problem of sex slavery. Maybe it does start in India and it will grow - it certainly has to start somewhere. Idealism - rather than half-assed legislation - is what will spark what Mr. Martz calls "doing" rather than "shouting."
Monday, July 22, 2013
New Legislation in Nevada!
If you've been a faithful reader of my blog, you'll note that many of my posts - or at least parts of them - contain elements of sarcasm, especially in relation to the United States government as well as foreign governments and their attention (or lack thereof) paid to the worldwide problem of human trafficking.
I am happy to report that I have finally found a state government that is working to create stricter legislation to assist in combating trafficking, and what's more, they are even involving a charity to assist in its work. As I read the story from USA Today about new anti-trafficking laws and harsher punishments for traffickers in Nevada, my heart soared. Finally, some hope. Finally some relief to know that foundations, such as the Reno, Nevada-based organization Awaken, Inc. are bringing the problem to the attention of the government - and offering potential solutions to it. These organizations such as Awaken, Inc. have done their homework. They know how trafficking victims have a chance to be saved, and the systems that need to be put in place to save more victims. It makes sense that they are being called upon to assist government officials in Nevada with their legislation.
Martha Bellisle of the Reno Gazette-Journal originally covered the story - but here is one more positive point: USA Today actually picked it up. National coverage on a local story about sex slavery and human trafficking. I have one word: finally.
"A bill passed by the Nevada legislature and signed into law by Gov. Brian Sandoval in June [2013] toughened penalties for pimps and created new opportunities for the treatment of victims. The next step will be a change in the public's perception of the crime as well as the prostitute's perception of herself and her predicament, experts say." I am glad to read all of this information - but what caused the sudden urgency for increased legislation - in Nevada in particular?
Well, the answer to the Nevada related half of that question should be obvious - the legislation came as a result of research conducted in Reno. It started with an apparent "steady increase of sex trafficking in Northern Nevada," then leading to this "increased effort...to try and save the exploited girls and prosecute their pimps." Pimps, who are requiring the girls they pick up for the purposes of sex slavery to get identifying tattoos. Seems awfully resemblant of Auschwitz.
However, Awaken, Inc. seems to truly have identified a problem in Reno - and further into Las Vegas. The organization's staff has started a new project - to create a home for former trafficking victims right in Reno. Such a home exists in Sacramento, CA, but victims who are rescued in Reno currently have no place to live once they have been rescued.
Awaken, Inc.'s founder, Melissa Holland, is currently leading the Reno effort - her organization is actually based in Reno, and "has been raising money through private donations and a grant to build a transitional home for sex-trafficking victims in Reno."
And that's not the only good news out of Nevada. Assembly Bill 67, which went into effect on July 1, "made trafficking an adult a category B felony that carries a three-to-10 year sentence. Exploitation of a child is now a category A felony that carries a maximum life sentence."
While I cannot be certain that this new legislation, as well as the diligent effort made by Melissa Holland and her contemporaries will reduce trafficking cases across Nevada (the article also states that trafficking numbers are even higher in Las Vegas than they are in Reno - unfortunate, but not a surprise), I am pleased to see that there is a focus on trafficking, and only on trafficking (not to say that other crimes are not important). We need more Melissa Hollands.
I am happy to report that I have finally found a state government that is working to create stricter legislation to assist in combating trafficking, and what's more, they are even involving a charity to assist in its work. As I read the story from USA Today about new anti-trafficking laws and harsher punishments for traffickers in Nevada, my heart soared. Finally, some hope. Finally some relief to know that foundations, such as the Reno, Nevada-based organization Awaken, Inc. are bringing the problem to the attention of the government - and offering potential solutions to it. These organizations such as Awaken, Inc. have done their homework. They know how trafficking victims have a chance to be saved, and the systems that need to be put in place to save more victims. It makes sense that they are being called upon to assist government officials in Nevada with their legislation.
Martha Bellisle of the Reno Gazette-Journal originally covered the story - but here is one more positive point: USA Today actually picked it up. National coverage on a local story about sex slavery and human trafficking. I have one word: finally.
"A bill passed by the Nevada legislature and signed into law by Gov. Brian Sandoval in June [2013] toughened penalties for pimps and created new opportunities for the treatment of victims. The next step will be a change in the public's perception of the crime as well as the prostitute's perception of herself and her predicament, experts say." I am glad to read all of this information - but what caused the sudden urgency for increased legislation - in Nevada in particular?
Well, the answer to the Nevada related half of that question should be obvious - the legislation came as a result of research conducted in Reno. It started with an apparent "steady increase of sex trafficking in Northern Nevada," then leading to this "increased effort...to try and save the exploited girls and prosecute their pimps." Pimps, who are requiring the girls they pick up for the purposes of sex slavery to get identifying tattoos. Seems awfully resemblant of Auschwitz.
However, Awaken, Inc. seems to truly have identified a problem in Reno - and further into Las Vegas. The organization's staff has started a new project - to create a home for former trafficking victims right in Reno. Such a home exists in Sacramento, CA, but victims who are rescued in Reno currently have no place to live once they have been rescued.
Awaken, Inc.'s founder, Melissa Holland, is currently leading the Reno effort - her organization is actually based in Reno, and "has been raising money through private donations and a grant to build a transitional home for sex-trafficking victims in Reno."
And that's not the only good news out of Nevada. Assembly Bill 67, which went into effect on July 1, "made trafficking an adult a category B felony that carries a three-to-10 year sentence. Exploitation of a child is now a category A felony that carries a maximum life sentence."
While I cannot be certain that this new legislation, as well as the diligent effort made by Melissa Holland and her contemporaries will reduce trafficking cases across Nevada (the article also states that trafficking numbers are even higher in Las Vegas than they are in Reno - unfortunate, but not a surprise), I am pleased to see that there is a focus on trafficking, and only on trafficking (not to say that other crimes are not important). We need more Melissa Hollands.
Wednesday, July 17, 2013
Trafficking: No minor problem, even for minors. Or for Utah.
Every time I look for a new story to post on, my mind actually plays a game with itself. My first thought is "ooh, am I going to be able to update the blog? Is there a current, relevant story on human trafficking that I can write a piece on?" My second thought is, "isn't that sad that I actually am hopeful that I will find a story on human trafficking?" However, I am always successful in finding a new story to base a post on - and to some degree, that's sad. It means that there is always a current event in the world of human trafficking - that doesn't nearly receive the coverage that it should. It requires a Google search to find, but it is still entirely current.
This post was no exception - I clicked on the "news" tab on Google after typing in "human trafficking" and sure enough, here was this story from a metropolitan area paper in Utah, the Salt Lake Tribune. Reporter Jessica Miller tells the story of a 17-year-old girl - who, unfortunately, follows the pattern of being trafficked to the U.S. from another country - and was forced into sex slavery.
Stop for a second - 17. A minor. I don't think I knew what sex slavery was at age 17.
The story goes on to indicate how the girl (who only goes by her initials, M.R.) was recruited by the leader of a Utah prostitution business, Luis Daniel Arano-Hernandez. He had "threatened to harm the teen's family and have her deported if she failed to participate in prostitution."
Wouldn't you know it - there is legislation in place in Utah, too - but it is not directly anti-trafficking legislation. The article states that "the SECURE Strike Force started in October 2009 to target major crimes by and against undocumented residents." Apparently, there has been some success with the legislation in question, too; "The Utah District Attorney's Office reported that during the past two years, the strike force has investigated 338 cases and arrested 120 people for crimes including human trafficking, identity theft, illegal drugs, guns and other violent crimes" (see the 2009 press release on the SECURE Strike Force).
The issues here are all important. We should be cracking down on identity theft. We should figure out whether or not we want to legalize weed, and if we do decide to keep it illegal, to work toward an end to drug trafficking. We should decide where we stand with regard to gun control. But...wouldn't one hope that all of these issues would require separate legislation, not just some broad task force designed to stop all the crimes...but wait...only those committed by immigrants?
I certainly know nothing else of the laws of the state of Utah, so I'm really not going to pretend like I do. However, while it is true that there is a pattern with human trafficking and immigrants, shouldn't the legislation put in place to stop trafficking be concerned with all possible suspects of trafficking? I understand that immigrants need to be further investigated in trafficking cases - the numbers don't lie. But this SECURE Strike Force seems more like broad legislation put in place to stop immigrant crimes - and not concentrated legislation that is designed to stop all cases of these crimes. I would be saddened to find out that the SECURE Strike Force is the only legislation in the state of Utah that is concerned with human trafficking cases (there may be an update on this later...).
Luis Daniel Arano-Hernandez received five years to life in prison for keeping M.R. and other girls as sex slaves for his business. His four cohorts decided to cooperate with the police in exchange for reduced sentences. I guess none of the perpetrators were entirely intimidated by the SECURE Strike Force.
This post was no exception - I clicked on the "news" tab on Google after typing in "human trafficking" and sure enough, here was this story from a metropolitan area paper in Utah, the Salt Lake Tribune. Reporter Jessica Miller tells the story of a 17-year-old girl - who, unfortunately, follows the pattern of being trafficked to the U.S. from another country - and was forced into sex slavery.
Stop for a second - 17. A minor. I don't think I knew what sex slavery was at age 17.
The story goes on to indicate how the girl (who only goes by her initials, M.R.) was recruited by the leader of a Utah prostitution business, Luis Daniel Arano-Hernandez. He had "threatened to harm the teen's family and have her deported if she failed to participate in prostitution."
Wouldn't you know it - there is legislation in place in Utah, too - but it is not directly anti-trafficking legislation. The article states that "the SECURE Strike Force started in October 2009 to target major crimes by and against undocumented residents." Apparently, there has been some success with the legislation in question, too; "The Utah District Attorney's Office reported that during the past two years, the strike force has investigated 338 cases and arrested 120 people for crimes including human trafficking, identity theft, illegal drugs, guns and other violent crimes" (see the 2009 press release on the SECURE Strike Force).
The issues here are all important. We should be cracking down on identity theft. We should figure out whether or not we want to legalize weed, and if we do decide to keep it illegal, to work toward an end to drug trafficking. We should decide where we stand with regard to gun control. But...wouldn't one hope that all of these issues would require separate legislation, not just some broad task force designed to stop all the crimes...but wait...only those committed by immigrants?
I certainly know nothing else of the laws of the state of Utah, so I'm really not going to pretend like I do. However, while it is true that there is a pattern with human trafficking and immigrants, shouldn't the legislation put in place to stop trafficking be concerned with all possible suspects of trafficking? I understand that immigrants need to be further investigated in trafficking cases - the numbers don't lie. But this SECURE Strike Force seems more like broad legislation put in place to stop immigrant crimes - and not concentrated legislation that is designed to stop all cases of these crimes. I would be saddened to find out that the SECURE Strike Force is the only legislation in the state of Utah that is concerned with human trafficking cases (there may be an update on this later...).
Luis Daniel Arano-Hernandez received five years to life in prison for keeping M.R. and other girls as sex slaves for his business. His four cohorts decided to cooperate with the police in exchange for reduced sentences. I guess none of the perpetrators were entirely intimidated by the SECURE Strike Force.
Monday, July 15, 2013
Combining Domestic and Foreign Trafficking Sources
Here's a story to prove that human trafficking is a global problem.
According to a CNN Story reported July 12 by Michael Martinez and Chandrika Narayan, a woman who was later identified as a Saudi Arabian princess has been charged with one count of human trafficking after multiple "domestic slaves" were found in her California home.
That's right, domestic slaves.
The slave who came forward actually managed to escape from the home of 42-year-old Meshael Alayban when she got on a public bus and subsequently received help from a fellow bus passenger. She is a native of Kenya who was trafficked to Saudi Arabia in March, 2012, for her services. She was under the impression that "her salary was set at $1,600 a month for working eight hours a day, five days a week." However, once she arrived at Alayban's family's home in Saudi Arabia, she was surprised when her passport was taken away, and "she was paid only $220 a month and forced to work 16 hours a day, seven days a week." She arrived in California at Alayban's home this past May, along with four other girls who carried "similar contracts."
This particular case impacts three countries (at least based on the knowledge of this particular story). The now emancipated slave came to Saudi Arabia (one) from Kenya (two), and was eventually illegally moved to the United States (three). Why aren't governments - particularly, the United States, the apparent Land of the Free - paying more attention to potential trafficking situations?
For one, it could look like racial profiling in disguise. It is a common assumption (again, based on films like Taken) that human trafficking only takes place outside the United States. If our government spends time investigating homes such as the vacation home of Meshael Alayban, no doubt some advocacy group will take a stand - without evidence - and claim racial profiling along the lines of, "aren't you only investigating their home because they're Arabic?"
However, even the article states that there is legislation in place in California to combat human trafficking. Proposition 35 passed this past November, which "increased the penalty for human trafficking" within the state of California. Perhaps a monetary penalty and increased prison time is not enough of an incentive - regular home inspections of suspicious households may do the job. (Click here for a full outline from the State of California of Proposition 35).
I want so badly to say that I have a solution - and as difficult as this is for me to admit - the truth is that I don't. It's easy for me to say that home inspections need to be more frequent, perhaps be a precedent not just in California but everywhere. However, I'm not familiar enough with home privacy laws to know what a good solution would be - just when does Big Brother get too big? Is it possible that even with further enforcement of legislation, those who want to traffic would still find a way? Especially royalty of another country - would it not make sense to say that Saudi Arabian royals would have resources to continue to traffic in disguise?
There is one thing that I do know for sure - even going off my last post on Muammar Gaddafi - even trusted leaders of nations are guilty of the crime of human trafficking. Whatever the solution is (at least in the United States) even world leaders need to be subject to it.
That's right, domestic slaves.
The slave who came forward actually managed to escape from the home of 42-year-old Meshael Alayban when she got on a public bus and subsequently received help from a fellow bus passenger. She is a native of Kenya who was trafficked to Saudi Arabia in March, 2012, for her services. She was under the impression that "her salary was set at $1,600 a month for working eight hours a day, five days a week." However, once she arrived at Alayban's family's home in Saudi Arabia, she was surprised when her passport was taken away, and "she was paid only $220 a month and forced to work 16 hours a day, seven days a week." She arrived in California at Alayban's home this past May, along with four other girls who carried "similar contracts."
This particular case impacts three countries (at least based on the knowledge of this particular story). The now emancipated slave came to Saudi Arabia (one) from Kenya (two), and was eventually illegally moved to the United States (three). Why aren't governments - particularly, the United States, the apparent Land of the Free - paying more attention to potential trafficking situations?
For one, it could look like racial profiling in disguise. It is a common assumption (again, based on films like Taken) that human trafficking only takes place outside the United States. If our government spends time investigating homes such as the vacation home of Meshael Alayban, no doubt some advocacy group will take a stand - without evidence - and claim racial profiling along the lines of, "aren't you only investigating their home because they're Arabic?"
However, even the article states that there is legislation in place in California to combat human trafficking. Proposition 35 passed this past November, which "increased the penalty for human trafficking" within the state of California. Perhaps a monetary penalty and increased prison time is not enough of an incentive - regular home inspections of suspicious households may do the job. (Click here for a full outline from the State of California of Proposition 35).
I want so badly to say that I have a solution - and as difficult as this is for me to admit - the truth is that I don't. It's easy for me to say that home inspections need to be more frequent, perhaps be a precedent not just in California but everywhere. However, I'm not familiar enough with home privacy laws to know what a good solution would be - just when does Big Brother get too big? Is it possible that even with further enforcement of legislation, those who want to traffic would still find a way? Especially royalty of another country - would it not make sense to say that Saudi Arabian royals would have resources to continue to traffic in disguise?
There is one thing that I do know for sure - even going off my last post on Muammar Gaddafi - even trusted leaders of nations are guilty of the crime of human trafficking. Whatever the solution is (at least in the United States) even world leaders need to be subject to it.
Wednesday, July 10, 2013
An unsurprising development
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| Former Libyan Dictator Muammar Gaddafi |
An online story published by DNAIndia.com gives a brief account retold to reporter Annick Cojean about a 15-year-old victim of Gaddafi's participation in sex slavery. The girl is given the pseudonym "Soraya." Soraya's full story is published in her book - see Goodreads review.
Gaddafi paid a visit to Soraya's school in 2004 - she was chosen to present him with a bouquet of flowers on purpose as Gaddafi's "people" had Soraya in mind for sex slavery from the beginning of the visit. After the visit, she "was driven for hours through the desert, had blood taken and her breasts measured before being stripped and shaved." After she arrived at Gaddafi's home, she "was escorted to his [Gaddafi's] bedroom and was shocked to find him naked." Soraya learned to believe that Gaddafi's actions were for her own good - he referred to himself as her "Papa," in spite of being dressed in a "thong and low-cut white satin dress."
Apparently, Soraya was not the only victim of Gaddafi's lust. A group of girls - kept around for the same purposes - were regularly instructed to perform oral sex on Gaddafi. He provided Soraya instructions to "watch and learn" while the other girls participated.
The story closes by indicating that even after Gaddafi's death, the families of girls like Soraya have been unforgiving about the girls having sex prior to marriage.
Now, I'm not one for the death penalty. However - before I heard about Gaddafi's double secret homebound brothel, I would be lying if I said that I didn't think he that deserved to die. I don't like to play God - but maybe God had a point by eliminating Gaddafi from humanity, even if it was death by slaying.
Possibly the most entertaining part to the story published online - not necessarily Soraya's story - would have to be the comments. The readership finds Soraya's story to be false, and one even really doesn't have their head on straight when he (she?) cries out "Long live Gaddafi."
It's bad enough that Libya had a tyrannical dictator as its leader for so long - but he had to exemplify his apparent love for oppression by capturing girls like Soraya, and forcing them to perform sexual acts. It's no wonder that the U.S. cannot reduce the list of countries unwilling to cooperate with anti-trafficking legislation - how can foreign governments, such as the government of Libya, for example, participate in such legislation when its leader is an active participant in acts involving sex slavery?
The development may be outrageous, but it isn't surprising. I have to say that after reading this story, I am tempted to pick up Soraya's book. I want to get in touch with the shame that she must feel after being raped by her nation's leader, and with the fear that did not seem to stop her from getting her story out into the public sphere.
Also, shame on the families of these girls. How evil must your God be to not forgive your daughters for being captured for the purposes of sex? For all you know, they may have been trying to protect you by not speaking out. Not to say that it's not awful to be part of a brothel in any capacity, but if you're in custody of your nation's dictator, you never know. Your parents - who are now unforgiving of your acts - could have gone to jail for your speaking out.
Monday, July 8, 2013
Trafficking: Not just a European issue...that you see in The Movies
Welcome to my no-nonsense commentary and review of the worldwide problem of human trafficking.
If you believe that human trafficking is a problem that only exists overseas, perhaps you've been watching "Taken" just one too many times (see the film's IMDB profile for more information on that caper).
If you believe that human trafficking is a problem that only exists overseas, perhaps you've been watching "Taken" just one too many times (see the film's IMDB profile for more information on that caper).
Not to say that "Taken" is not an extremely powerful vehicle, possibly used to enhance awareness of the worldwide problem of human trafficking. It is a likely story, too - it features naive American female tourists, easily swayed by the alluring prospect of modeling -- and not just modeling, but modeling in Europe.
However, the problem is not just paramount in Europe, or in Asia, or in Africa -- but it's right here at home. According to a story published by U.S. News via NBC News Online, written by Matthew DeLuca, "nine 7-Eleven store owners and managers who authorities say ran a 'modern-day plantation system,' ... were just one thread in a vast human trafficking and forced labor web that stretches around the world and into American homes."
Modern-day plantation system is putting it nicely. DeLuca goes on to quote Secretary of State John Kerry, who stated, in essence, that our government loses track of potential trafficking victims. Due to ineffective statistics and cases which are not always reported by trafficking victims, the Trafficking Victims Protection Act (brought into effect in 2000) becomes difficult to enforce - at least according to Ambassador Luis C. deBaca, listed in DeLuca's story as the "Director of the Office to Monitor and Combat Trafficking in Persons."
Stats also indicate that 100,000 children in the U.S. alone - we are talking our own citizens - "may be victims of domestic human trafficking," cited in this story from a 2013 Congressional Research Service report.
Another telling statistic: there are currently 21 countries designated as "Tier Three" - if they're on the list, they don't give a shit about complying with anti-trafficking legislation - and yet, "the number of traffickers convicted by the Department of Justice fell over the past year."
It is telling that we are not talking about sex slavery alone when discussing trafficking - no, these people (using migrant slaves at New York and Virginia 7-11 stores...yes, I did just say slaves...wait, slaves still exist?I thought Abraham Linc-yeah, no), used immigrants as unpaid workers. Not to say that sex slavery is not - and should be - a paramount issue. But where is our outrage that any kind of slavery still exists?
Clearly, legislation isn't doing the job by itself (though we could make that statement over and over about multiple issues...). Why are so many potential victims slipping through the cracks? Why have the numbers of traffickers, statistically speaking, fallen over the past year - but we have yet to realize that is only due to the fact that these modern-day slaves aren't reporting their situations.
Maybe because they have the fear of God inside them - they have kids whose lives would be ruined if they were to report that they are working for no pay in some 7-Eleven off a back road in Virginia. Maybe we can't wait for the victims to come to us - maybe we need to find the true statistics ourselves. One would think that an issue we fought so hard to end back when Honest Abe was indeed President would be one that we would fight to end.
Awareness - now, that's a problem. This article wasn't headline news. This story wasn't sharing headlines with Kim Kardashian. We still think that we freed the slaves - if we stick to that story, maybe we can keep up with the Kardashians just for a little while longer.
Modern-day plantation system is putting it nicely. DeLuca goes on to quote Secretary of State John Kerry, who stated, in essence, that our government loses track of potential trafficking victims. Due to ineffective statistics and cases which are not always reported by trafficking victims, the Trafficking Victims Protection Act (brought into effect in 2000) becomes difficult to enforce - at least according to Ambassador Luis C. deBaca, listed in DeLuca's story as the "Director of the Office to Monitor and Combat Trafficking in Persons."
Stats also indicate that 100,000 children in the U.S. alone - we are talking our own citizens - "may be victims of domestic human trafficking," cited in this story from a 2013 Congressional Research Service report.
Another telling statistic: there are currently 21 countries designated as "Tier Three" - if they're on the list, they don't give a shit about complying with anti-trafficking legislation - and yet, "the number of traffickers convicted by the Department of Justice fell over the past year."
It is telling that we are not talking about sex slavery alone when discussing trafficking - no, these people (using migrant slaves at New York and Virginia 7-11 stores...yes, I did just say slaves...wait, slaves still exist?I thought Abraham Linc-yeah, no), used immigrants as unpaid workers. Not to say that sex slavery is not - and should be - a paramount issue. But where is our outrage that any kind of slavery still exists?
Clearly, legislation isn't doing the job by itself (though we could make that statement over and over about multiple issues...). Why are so many potential victims slipping through the cracks? Why have the numbers of traffickers, statistically speaking, fallen over the past year - but we have yet to realize that is only due to the fact that these modern-day slaves aren't reporting their situations.
Maybe because they have the fear of God inside them - they have kids whose lives would be ruined if they were to report that they are working for no pay in some 7-Eleven off a back road in Virginia. Maybe we can't wait for the victims to come to us - maybe we need to find the true statistics ourselves. One would think that an issue we fought so hard to end back when Honest Abe was indeed President would be one that we would fight to end.
Awareness - now, that's a problem. This article wasn't headline news. This story wasn't sharing headlines with Kim Kardashian. We still think that we freed the slaves - if we stick to that story, maybe we can keep up with the Kardashians just for a little while longer.
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