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Mennonite Church USA: Information coordination about human trafficking:
This page is created as a response to the request by delegates at Mennonite Church USA Columbus Assembly for a place to coordinate knowledge of Human Trafficking sites in USA, and resources for victims/survivors of Human Trafficking. Please send information to office@MennoniteWomenUSA.org to be posted on this page.
Identifying and supporting victims/survivors of human trafficking requires personal attention from faith communities, and law enforcement, medical, and social services personnel.
This page includes:
1. Persons/organizations identified as working against human trafficking
2. Resources, web-sites, and books
3. Signs of victims of trafficking
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1. Persons or organizations providing resources to work against human trafficking (identified by Mennonite Church USA individuals):
Janet Olson is Executive Director for Arizonans for the Protection of Exploited Children and Adults (APECA). They are building a home called Natalie's House for girls (ages 11-17) escaping from prostitution. For more information, go to: www.protectchild.org. (Janet formerly attended Trinity Mennonite Church and First Mennonite, both in Phoenix.)
Janet writes: "Thank you so much for your statement against human trafficking. I am thankful to know that Mennonite women are speaking out against the injustice of trafficking. Local Mennonites have been an incredible blessing and source of personal strength for me as I have worked to promote awareness against exploitation and abuse of children."
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2. Resources:
National Hotline for Human Trafficking: 888-3737-888
"Look Beneath the Surface" materials on Human Trafficking for groups are available free from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Rescue and Restore in numbers for groups of 25, 50, and 100. To order brochures, posters, 10-minute DVD, folders, pocket cards with "how to identify victims of trafficking," go to: http://www.acf.hhs.gov/trafficking/about/form.htm
Bible study resources available from Church of the Brethren on Human Trafficking: http://www.brethren.org/site/DocServer/Modern-Day_Slavery_Resources_09_good_breaks.pdf?docID=2985
Human Trafficking in Thailand and the United States is the focus of a Christian Century article.
Praxis Mutual Funds praises commitment by Hershey
Bibliography on Human Trafficking
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3. What are the signs of a person who may be enslaved by a trafficker?
These questions may help you identify a trafficking victim:
- What type of work do you do?
- Are you being paid?
- Can you leave your job is you want to?
- Can you come and go as you please?
- Have you or your family been threatened?
- What are your working and living conditions like?
- Where to you sleep and eat?
- Do you have to ask permission to eat/sleep/go to the bathroom?
- Are there locks on the doors/windows so you cannot get out?
- Has your identification or documentation been taken from you?
If you think someone is a victim of human trafficking, call the National Human Trafficking Resources Center, 888-3737-888 to obtain information and to access supportive services for the victim.
The following clues may help you identify a possible trafficking victim:
- Accompanied by a controlling person or boss; not speaking on own behalf
- Lack of control over personal schedule, money, I.D., travel documents
- Transported to or from work; lives and works in the same place
- Debt owed to employer/crew leader; inability to leave job
- Bruises, depression, fear, overly submissive
From "Look Beneath the Surface" resources: http://www.acf.hhs.gov/trafficking/about/form.htm
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