What is trafficking and how widespread is it in the US ?

At its most basic, trafficking is the movement of people across or within national or state borders for the purpose of slavery, forced labor, or servitude.  It is different than smuggling.  The trafficking of children can be defined as a series of events that includes acquiring the children, moving them, and exploiting them.  The acquisition and transport may involve force, persuasion, coercion, trickery, the administration of drugs, family and other complicity, or may be on the initiative of the child him/herself.  The transport may be into the US or interstate.

Trafficking of women and children for the sex industry and for labor is prevalent in all regions of the US , says a 1999 US Government report.  An estimated 45,000 to 50,000 women and children are trafficked annually to the US from other countries.  Government officials report trafficking incidents in 20 states, most often in New York , California , and Florida .  Researchers also estimate that thousands of US children are being trafficked from state to state for exploitation in sex trade businesses.  

Trafficking of children is identified as a worst form of child labor in International Labor Organization’s Convention 182.  In 1999, the US ratified the Convention.

Trafficking Act of 2000

A person who has been trafficked is considered a victim of a serious crime under US law and has the right to protection and assistance under the Victims of Trafficking and Violence Protection Act of 2000.  This law provides for the protection of victims in the US , including medical care and shelter services.  T-Visas and U-Visas are available to victims of severe forms of trafficking who have complied with any reasonable requests for assistance in the investigation or prosecution of acts of trafficking.  Recipients of either visa are eligible for employment authorization, and may, after three years, adjust their status to that of lawful permanent resident.  For more information on the Act, visit http://www.usdoj.gov/crt/crim/traffickingsummary.html

Where might one find trafficked children and youth?

• sweatshops and factories (such as garment and other low-skill industries)

• commercial farms (farmworkers)

• private homes (domestic workers and child care)

• youth peddling (selling candy, magazine subscriptions, etc., door-to-door or on city streets)

• service industries (such as restaurants, truck stops, car washes, sun tanning parlors, and beauty salons)

• massage parlors and spas

• prostitution and other sex work

• pornography

What is commercial sexual exploitation of children (CSEC) and how widespread is it?

CSEC is sexual abuse and remuneration in cash or kind is made to the child or a third person or persons. The child is treated as a commercial object and a sexual object. CSEC is expressed through multiple forms of prostitution and pornography, as well as the sale and trafficking of children for other sexual purposes.

The abuse of children in the sex trade in the US is a larger problem than is commonly believed. The University of Pennsylvania ’s School of Social Work released a 2001 study that estimates that 200,000 to 300,000 children each year are at high risk of involvement in commercial sexual exploitation.  Many of these children are trafficked throughout the country.

Red Flags:  Trafficking and exploitation may be involved if adolescent is…

·         working in or loitering around businesses associated with adult entertainment. These include massage parlors; exotic dance shows; strip clubs; adult entertainment bookstores and merchandise shops; escort services; 1-900 telephone “chat” line businesses; and Web-based modeling businesses.

·         employed or working, but the employer has no employee records and/or provides no proof of discernable income for the adolescent.

·         provided food and housing by the employer or source is questionable.

·         not given control over money earned.  Adolescent’s money/payment for work is handled by another person.

·         a runaway or is not living with a parent or legal guardian.

·         not in school.

·         recruited by employer or other adult for work and/or employer or other adult paid for long-distance transport of adolescent to worksite or current city of residence.

·         required to pay employer or other person for transport to employment site or from one employment site to another.

·         not a US citizen, and the employer or other adult holds all legal papers, including identification papers, immigration documents, and work visas.

·         not allowed to speak with you privately or adult employer or other adult  is reluctant to allow adolescent to speak with you privately.

·         afraid to talk to you in presence of employer or other on-site adult.

·         restricted in travel or activities, and is watched, escorted, or guarded by associates.  

What to do if you suspect trafficking?

If you suspect an adolescent (or adult) is a victim of trafficking, contact the US Department of Justice (DOJ) Trafficking in Persons and Worker Exploitation Task Force complaint line toll-free at 1-888-428-7581.

(OR)

Contact your local US Department of Justice office.

Child Labor Coalition

1701 K Street, NW, Suite 1200 , Washington , DC   20006 ; Phone 202.835.3323 Fax 202.835.0747

email childlabor@stopchildlabor.org; www.stopchildlabor.org

U.S. Campaign Against the Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children

4545 42nd St., NW, Suite 209 , Washington , DC 20016 ; Phone 202.244.1986; email stopcsec@yapi.org