For Victims of Human Trafficking

Background

 Human trafficking is defined in the UN Trafficking Protocol of 2000 as the recruitment, transportation, transfer, harboring or receipt of persons, by means of force, fraud or coercion for the purpose of exploitation, such as enslavement, debt bondage, forced labor or the removal of organs. In short, human trafficking normally has five main components: recruitment, coercion, forced labor, systems of bondage and fraud.

The methods used by human traffickers may include false promises of legitimate work, physical harm, psychological manipulation, confiscation of identity documents, and threat of harm to family members.[1] Below are the major ‘Push and Pull’ factors that encourage human trafficking. [2]  Push factors are the general reasons why many victims want to leave their home country, and the Pull factors are the reasons that draw them to their destination. These reasons make girls and women vulnerable to traffickers who promise them a safe journey to wherever they want to go.

The ‘Push’ factors:

  • Gender-based violence
  • Lack of educational opportunities
  • Increasing rates of poverty and unemployment
  • Civil unrest and the rise in militarization in source countries
  • Tight immigration and migration policies in destination countries in contributing to unsafe migration
  • Declining social services
  • Unmonitored labor sectors

The ‘Pull’ factors:

  • Opportunities for securing gainful employment
  • Access to acquiring new skills
  • Receiving an education abroad
  • Available migration routes
  • Established Asian & Pacific Islander communities in destination countries
  • High demand for cheap and unskilled labor in industrialized nations

Many victims of human trafficking are cut off from contact with the outside world by their employers, and feel completely alone. Left without help, they are unaware of their civil rights, and many do not report the crimes committed against them to the police. According to the Human Trafficking Fact Sheet, published by the Department of Health and Human Services, “many victims trafficked into the United States do not speak or understand English and are therefore isolated and unable to communicate with service providers, law enforcement and others who might be able to help them.”[3]  Even if they do speak English, many are brought into the country without any contacts other than their abuser, which results in a difficult situation worsened by isolation and unawareness of the resources that are available for them.

The United States Citizenship and Immigration Services protects victims of human trafficking by providing immigration relief through special visa programs for trafficking victims.[4]  Below are some of the resources available to victims of trafficking who wish to gain citizenship and/or become involved in their community in Washington State.

 Organizations

 The Asian Pacific Islander Women and Family Safety Center

The Asian Pacific Islander Women and Family Safety Center (APIWFSC) has a human trafficking project that can help victims by referring them to a safe place to stay, finding food and medical care, explaining their rights and advocating for them, and helping them apply for legal status.

Asian & Pacific Islander Women & Family Safety Center
PO Box 14047
Seattle, WA 98114
Ph: (206) 467-9976

Web: www.apiwfsc.org

Department of Health and Human Services

The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) funds the National Human Trafficking Resource Center (NHTRC) to provide a 24-hour, toll-free hotline number.  Services include crisis intervention, urgent and non-urgent referrals, tip reporting, and comprehensive anti-trafficking resources and technical assistance for people working in the anti-trafficking field.

The Hotline can be reached at 1-888-3737-888.

Website: http://www.acf.hhs.gov/trafficking/

Department of Homeland Security

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) officially launched the Blue Campaign on July 22, 2010 as an initiative to combat human trafficking through increased public awareness, victim assistance programs, and law enforcement training and initiatives.  They provide information on victim assistance on their website.

ICE Victim Assistance Program
Office of Investigations
500 12th St. SW, Mail Stop 5101
Washington, D.C. 20536-5101

Phone: 866-872-4973

Fax: (202) 732-5876

Website: http://www.dhs.gov/files/programs/humantrafficking.shtm

E-mail: ICEHumanTrafficking.HelpDesk@dhs.gov

The International Rescue Committee

The International Rescue Committee (IRC) is an international organization that ‘responds to the world’s worst humanitarian crises and helps people to survive and rebuild their lives.’ They make sure newly arrived refugees receive legal services toward residency and citizenship. They also can help provide refugees with:

  • Finding a furnished home
  • Help with rent
  • Health care
  • Nutritious, affordable food
  • English language classes
  • Help building job, computer & financial literacy skills
  • Education for their children
  • Social services and community support

International Rescue Committee
Seattle, Washington
100 South King Street, Suite 570
Seattle, WA 98104
Ph: (206) 623-2105

Web: www.theirc.org

 The National Human Trafficking Resource Center

The National Human Trafficking Resource Center does not focus on immigration rights, but rather on reporting crimes and providing help to victims.

 Ph: 1.888.3737.888

 Northwest Immigrant Rights Project

NWIRP assists “immigrant survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, trafficking, and other violent crimes in gaining lawful status in the United States.” They also provide services for:

  • Seeking asylum
  • Child services
  • Deportation and removal defense
  • Family unity in immigration.

Western Washington:

NWIRP
615 2nd Ave, Suite 400. Seattle, WA 98104
Ph: (206) 587-4009 or (800) 445-5771.

 Eastern Washington:

NWIRP

121 Sunnyside Ave, PO Box 270
Granger, WA 98932
Ph: (509) 854-2100 or (888) 756-3641.

 Web: www.nwirp.org

 Refugee Women’s Alliance

ReWA is non-profit refugee and immigrant service organization that provides a domestic violence program that includes victims of human trafficking. They also have services dealing with:

  • Early childhood education
  • Developmental disabilities
  • Educational & vocational training
  • Family support
  • Mental health
  • Parent education
  • Senior nutrition and wellness
  • Youth

Refugee Women’s Alliance

4008 Martin Luther King, Jr. Way South
Seattle, WA 98108

Ph: (206) 721-0243

Web: www.rewa.org

The Washington Anti-Trafficking Response Network

WARN provides immigration advocacy and legal assistance to victims of human trafficking. They also provide victims with immediate access to food and stable housing, physical and mental health treatment, interpretation services, and education and job readiness training.

Washington Anti-Trafficking Response Network
P.O. Box 4548
Seattle, WA 98194 - 0548
(206) 245-0782

Ph:  (888) 373-7888

Web: www.warn-trafficking.org

 

[1] Tomas Rebugio, Liezl. Rights to Survival & Mobility: An Anti-Trafficking Activist’s Agenda. Takoma Park, MD: National Asian Pacific American Women’s Forum, 2008. Print.

[2] Ibid, 6.

[3] “Fact Sheet: Human Trafficking.” The Campaign to Rescue & Restore Victims of Human Trafficking. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 10 Aug 2010. Web. 31 Aug 2010. http://www.acf.hhs.gov/trafficking/about/fact_human.html.

[4] “One DHS: The Blue Campaign.” U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS). DHS, 20 Jul 2010.. Web. 31 Aug. 2010. http://www.dhs.gov/files/programs/gc_1270739792024.shtm.