September is Washington D.C.’s Human Trafficking Awareness Month, the event which was established thanks to the efforts of the DC Task Force on Human Trafficking. The Task Force was established in 2004 with the DC police department and the DC US Attorney’s office. Since the establishment of the Task Force, membership has grown to over 30 diverse government and non-government organizations, which meet on a weekly and monthly basis. Thanks to the efforts of the DC Task Force, there have been more than 35 traffickers prosecuted, over 70 victims of trafficking have been rescued, and successfully advocated for the DC City Council to make September Human Trafficking awareness month.
What is Human Trafficking, or Modern Slavery? It is when the use of fraud, force, or coercion is used in which to exploit an individual for the mere means of profit or economic gains. There is no stereotypical face of human trafficking, for the chains of modern slavery can bind anyone, of any gender, race, religion or age. Those bound by slavery do not have to cross borders to be victimized, for one can be exploited within their own home, community, as well as half across the globe. Modern slavery comes in many shapes and forms, such as; child soldiers, forced labor through debt bondage, and forced prostitution or sex slavery. No city or state is immune to this disease of power and greed, not even our nations capital, which binds some 27 million people around the world.
Across our nations capital activists and abolitionists across the district and beyond will unite to bring the face of modern slavery and human trafficking to the forefront. However while our nation’s capital is taking a great step in the fight against modern slavery, there is still much that needs to be done to end the trade of human flesh. Take the first step today and open your eyes…“See it, Report it!” If you see any of these red flags, call the National Human Trafficking Resource Center hotline at 1-888-3737-888 now to report the situation. We highly recommend you take a moment to place this number in your mobile phones now.
How do you know if you have come across a victim?
Common Work and Living Conditions
The Individual(s) in Question:
- Is not free to leave or come and go as he/she wishes
- Is under 18 and is providing commercial sex acts
- Is in the commercial sex industry and has a pimp / manager
- Is unpaid, paid very little, or paid only through tips
- Works excessively long and/or unusual hours
- Is not allowed breaks or suffers under unusual restrictions at work
- Owes a large debt and is unable to pay it off
- Was recruited through false promises concerning the nature and conditions of his/her work
- High security measures exist in the work and/or living locations (e.g. opaque windows, boarded up windows, bars on windows, barbed wire, security cameras, etc.)
Poor Mental Health or Abnormal Behavior
- Is fearful, anxious, depressed, submissive, tense, or nervous / paranoid behavior
- Exhibits unusually fearful or anxious behavior after bringing up “law enforcement”
- Avoids eye contact
Poor Physical Health
- Lacks health care
- Appears malnourished
- Shows signs of physical and/or sexual abuse, physical restraint, confinement, or torture
Lack of Control
- Has few or no personal possessions
- Is not in control of his/her own money, no financial records, or bank account
- Is not in control of his/her own identification documents (ID or passport)
- Is not allowed or able to speak for themselves (a third party may insist on being present and/or translating)
Other
- Claims of “just visiting” and inability to clarify where he/she is staying / address
- Lack of knowledge of whereabouts and/or do not know what city he/she is in
- Loss of sense of time
- Has numerous inconsistencies in his/her story
Note: This list is not exhaustive and rather represents a selection of possible indicators. Also, the red flags in this list may not be present in all trafficking cases and are not cumulative. (Polaris Project, Action Center)
How else can you take a stand if you are in the DC Metro area? If you live in DC, or not, then join activists and concerned citizens for the DC Stop Modern Slavery Walk on October 23 · 8:00am – 1:00pm. Come join me and my team, Bridge to Freedom Foundation, for the walk and help us go one step closer to ending slavery and support survivors, here.
Links and Resources:
Fact Sheets – in Multiple Languages for Download
Order Free Posters and Materials to distribute and post
DC Stop Modern Slavery – DC Based Citizen Activist Group
