Human Trafficking Training

Human Trafficking is the fastest growing crime in the world. It is second only to the sale in illegal drugs in its scope. Every state in the US has cases of human trafficking ( modern slavery) and every country in the world. In the US anyone can be a victim of human trafficking: men, women, adults, children, US citizens, and non US citizens.
 
 Human Trafficking- New Laws of the Trafficking Victims Protection Act 
( TVPRA) signed into law 12/2008.

Highlights of the  New TVPA reauthorization:

• Efforts to make sure no slave made products are made or sold in the United States.

• If leaders of organizations should have known that trafficking activities were occurring they may be punished the same as if they had known.

• Multinational corporations are at risk for punishment from human trafficking activities due to drastically changing laws world wide in response to the annual Trafficking in Persons Report from the Department of State. This report ranks countries based on their efforts to prosecute human trafficking activities and support vicitms' rights.

• All organizations that receive government funding for providing service to trafficking victims must train their staffs

 
Any organization that has employees, sub contractors, or their dependents who engage in trafficking may:

• Be stripped of government grant and contract funding

• Face civil law suits from all victims

• Be subject to Department of Labor fines and restitution

• Face asset seizure through RICO statutes

• Be subject to severe and long lasting negative public relations

• Attempting and intending to engage in human trafficking can be charged the same as if the act occurred

Traffickers and their colleagues may face:

• A federal life sentence if a minor under 14 is involved  in commercial sex or a victim dies

• Seizure of all assets under RICO

• Civil trial suits from victims and the Department of Labor

• State and federal criminal and civil charges

• Sanctions for the Department of State

• Loss of all US government, IMF and World Bank Funding

If a person has been a victim of human trafficking they may:

• Receive immigration relief

• Sue all parties involved for restitution and civil damages

• Receive social and legal services

• Be repatriated upon their request

• Be ANY minor in commercial sex (prostitution, stripping, pornography)

Victims of human trafficking must be treated as victims and not criminals according to the TVPRA.

Many legitimate businesses are being infiltrated by human traffickers. In San Antonio, a bartender of the family restaurant Cheesecake Factory allegedly arranged to sell the 5 year old child of one of the waitresses. Local  TV and newspapers have covered their arrest and exposed the scheme and mentioned the Cheesecake Factory many times. The family restaurant will face more negative public relations as the trials and possible sentencing proceed.
 
Case Examples
 
A school district used a contractor to hire teachers from the Philippines. The contracting organization were traffickers, even though they had contracts and appeared to be legitimate. When the teachers arrived in the US their documents were confiscated and they were forced to work in various office and cleaning jobs. The Social Security Administration investigated and arrested several people including administrators in the school district. There was also a similar case involving the University of Texas system where students with research visas were forced into commercial sex by a professor and his wife. This was before the new laws that could have stripped UT of all government funding.

http://www.access.gpo.gov/congress/senate/pdf/108hrg/96285.pdf
 
In Los Angeles, Sony's Senior  Counsel was found to have forced a domestic servant to provide labor. He and his wife were sued for over $800,000 and their home owners policy was made to pay a portion of the award. He and his wife now face criminal charges.
 
http://articles.latimes.com/2004/sep/06/local/me-filipina6

A Chiropractic doctor was involved in human trafficking and did not know it. He saw all the "patients" and under his license the office staff was forcing women into prostitution. His first indication was when federal and local agents raided his office and detained everyone inside.

http://www.laweekly.com/2007-06-28/news/aaron-cohen-sex-slaves-drug-trade-and-rock-n-roll/9
 
KBR is now being sued by workers and their families for alleged trafficking by a Jordanian KBR contractor in Iraq.

 http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/08/27/AR2008082703237.html
 
Why your organization needs training:
 
If you are part of an organization you need to have policies and procedures that protect your business or organization from human trafficking activities. This crime is a high priority for the Department of Justice, the Department of State, Department of Labor and the Texas Attorney General, and other key enforcement organizations.

REGISTER ONLINE

www.millionkids.org/register
Course fee: $100/person
Groups of 5 or more: $75/person
Students: $25/person
Add $15/person for CEU certificate
To request CEU certification, the application and payment must be received at least 2 weeks in advance of the training.
Specify "Houston"

Thursday, March 12th, 2009
9:00 am - 4:00 pm

Isaac Generation Church
RCCG-Isaac Generation Auditorium
10330 Sugar Branch Drive
Houston, Texas 77036

call 210-882-2259 for more information

Sponsors:
MillionKids.org
Youth for Human Rights International
Saving Lives Through Alternate Options
Rehoboth Foundation





No Slavery