Megan is passionate about integrating the principles of organizational management with the grassroots response to human trafficking in the US. Megan uses her blog to raise awareness about trafficking, engaging her neighbors to fight exploitation 365 days a year.
What is the average age of a trafficking victim?
Today, I would like to introduce an organization to you that is combating human trafficking. The organization is called "Shared Hope International." I first heard about Shared Hope in 2011. I was at a conference where a project I had worked on was being presented by my friend Dr. Elizabeth Wheaton. Shared Hope was established by Washington State Congresswoman, Linda Smith and she was the keynote speaker.
The organization has done amazing work; much of which correlates with my human trafficking shelter research. Take the time and look into what Shared Hope is doing!
Enjoy your Friday!
On June 23, 2014, a 17 year old girl named Anji Dean went missing in Camas, Washington. On July 10, 2014, Anji was returned home safely. Anji's disappearance was heard around the world. It made headlines, because many had speculated her disappearance was due to some form of human trafficking. My original thought was shock because the reports immediately jumped to the conclusion that this young girl from Washington got caught in a trafficking situation.
Since she has been found, it is still unknown whether or not she was trafficked. I truly hope that for Anji's sake, the case is labeled as a runaway case or disappearance, and that she was not trafficked. The emotional, mental, and physical scars make recovery very difficult for trafficking victims.
As horrible as it sounds, I have always said it will take a middle class or upper class, young white female to be trafficked before America truly understands that human trafficking is occurring in the United States. As seen with this case, human trafficking was stated multiple times by many news sources and it caught the attention of the American public. As said before, I hope that Anji was not trafficked, but also hope that America does not close the door on this issue. I hope that people continue to find out more about human trafficking and how they can get involved in combating this epidemic.
On July 8, 2014, United States Attorney Brendan V. Johnson announced the location and dates of the Violent Crime and Human Trafficking Conference. This is an important conference that will highlight topics ranging from the increase of human trafficking and violence against women on oil fields, child violence, human trafficking on American Indian reservations, and much more.
Date: August 12, 13, and 14 2014
Location: Washington Pavilion in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.
August 12th focuses on training advocates, medical professionals, and more. August 13th and 14th is open to the public.
To find out more information, please click on the Blue Highlighted Phrase: Violent Crime and Human Trafficking Conference.
Today I would like to recommend a book for you to read. Last year, I had the pleasure of traveling to Bosnia. On my flight, I read "The Whistler Blower" by Kathryn Bolkovac and could not put it down. In a nutshell, it is a book about Bosnia, sex trafficking, justice, and military contractors.
Enjoy!
To report Human Trafficking, please contact the National Human Trafficking Resource Center (NHTRC). They have a 24-hour/7 days a week telephone number. The NHTRC Number is 1-888-373-7888.
You can also contact the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC) at 1-800-THE-LOST (1-800-843-5678).
What is the TIP Report and what does it mean?
Recently, the 2014 TIP Report was released by the United States Department of State. With that being said, it is important to understand what the report is and what it does. The report looks at the scope of human trafficking around the world and discusses the government's action to combat and stop human trafficking. Each country is graded based on a 1-3 tier based system. Tier 1 is the best ranking a country can receive. Tier 1 does not mean the country has eliminated human trafficking. It does mean that the country is working to address and combat human trafficking.
Do you know what illegal industry is the most profitable in the world?
The answer is Drugs.
In 2010, Drugs was number one as well. The second most profitable industry was counterfeiting, followed by arms, cigarettes, cargo theft, and then human trafficking.
In 2014, Human Trafficking is considered the second largest illegal activity in the world (United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, 2008). Within 4 years, human trafficking has bypassed illicit arms, cigarettes, and counterfeiting. It is time to learn the facts, and educate the public.
America . . . the land of free and the home of the brave!
The 4th of July represents the adoption of the Declaration of Independence and America's independence from the U.K. As I think about what the day represents for citizens living in the United States, I can't help but think about all the individuals currently enslaved and what independence once meant and does mean to them!
As we celebrate with food, family, friends, fireworks, and freedom (the 5 F's), please think about those who are not celebrating the same way as you and I. While America is the land of the free for many people, it is not the land of the free for others. Take time today to research and educate yourself about human trafficking.
-We all deserve freedom!
How many children are trafficked per year, in the United States? How many people (children and adults) are trafficked in the United States each year? How many human beings are trafficking per year, in the world?
These are all great questions, but no one knows the exact number. Trafficking is a type of industry that is not licensed, registered, or taxed. It occurs on street corners, in hotels, cars, homes, online, and other places unbeknownst to many. Therefore, the number of trafficking victims is unknown. There are statistics, but they are estimates. Some victims do not identify as 'victims' and some may never report their trafficking experience, which makes it difficult to obtain actual statistics.
While a number may be a number to some, it is extremely important to others. As trafficking gains more attention, hopefully there will be more discussions that lead to a way to collect and analyzed human trafficking statistics.