Wednesday, December 16, 2009

City tries to combat human trafficking

From City Limits:

As disturbing revelations of human trafficking in New York City fade in and out of the headlines one by one, the city plans to deliver more consistent education to the public about this burgeoning problem with a consciousness-raising campaign to be launched in the first quarter of next year.

Often thought of a problem occurring to other people in other parts of the world, trafficking – which according to the UN means “forcible movement of a person from one place to another and forcible utilization of their services with the intention of inducting them into trade for commercial gains” – is very much a domestic concern. “We have to be careful not to define human trafficking as something that’s happening elsewhere and not right here in New York City,” says Norma Ramos, executive director of the NYC-based Coalition Against Trafficking in Women.

In New York state, according to Mayor Bloomberg's office, there were 46 confirmed victims of trafficking in 2008 and 43 confirmed victims to date this year. And in New York City, between Dec. 2007 and Sept. 2009, there were 262 calls to a national trafficking hotline. The group Fight Slavery Now identifies the city as one of the country’s main ports of entry for trafficking, with JFK airport singled out as major hub.

The fight against "modern-day slavery" is receiving specific focus from the mayor’s office as it steps up the efforts of the Anti-Human Trafficking Task Force, established in 2006, with a campaign suitably titled, “It’s Happening Here.”

Jennifer Dreher, the senior director of the anti-trafficking program at Safe Horizon, said that some of their staff members assist with the campaign in the mayor’s office. Dreher points out one of the disheartening realities about victims: “Less than 1 percent come out and say, ‘I am a victim.’ They don’t know how to describe what is happening to them.” In terms of awareness and avenues of redress, she likens it to what domestic violence was 30 years ago.

Dreher is particular about the language used to describe victims, aiming for inclusive terms that include the many forms of coerced travel and labor. The people she serves in NYC reflect a different story than what is generally thought of as human trafficking or even sex trafficking. The majority of her clients are women, with 60 percent trafficked in some form of labor – which can mean stripping, sexualized labor, or being bailarinas—women forced to dance in bars, accompany patrons and encourage them to spend more money that goes to the house. About one-third are in forced prostitution, with 5 percent in other forms including servile marriages.

Anti-trafficking activists say the crime flourishes because it hides in plain sight: among the blatant sex ads in some publications and the eager busboys in restaurants are men and women forced into servitude against their will.

20 comments:

Anonymous said...

Anti-trafficking activists say the crime flourishes because it hides in plain sight: among the blatant sex ads in some publications and the eager busboys in restaurants are men and women forced into servitude against their will.
--------------------------------------------
For example, Ackerman/Schenkler ads? Hear that DA Brown?

Anonymous said...

I have no idea how those ads are permitted. They most likely contribute to the misery of some of those women/girls.

Anonymous said...

Skankler et al. should be prosecuted for aiding and abetting prostitution and human trafficking. Make them explain themselves in court.

Anonymous said...

So there's is basically going to be less massaggees?

Anonymous said...

So there's is basically going to be less massaggees?

Anonymous said...

Stop people from coming here, and you stop trafficking.

The end.

Moby S. said...

So there's is basically going to be less massaggees?

Sorry if I rubbed you the wrong way!

Bovine Shulman said...

Sorry if I rubbed you the wrong way!

But I liked it. I really really liked it!
PS Mike's next!

Anonymous said...

oh yeah, City Limits. the liberals rag. they love illegal immigrants.

deport them and the problems will go away.

Anonymous said...

Safe Horizons is going to be playing the violin for Mexican and South American prostitutes while ignoring American victims of domestic violence, assault, incest and rape.

What happened to Don't Cry for me Argentina? We're supposed to feel so much sympathy for these alleged victims. How does anyone know that they aren't lying to get domestic violence victim status?

If you are an American woman and a crime victim Safe Horizons will barely tolerate you. This agency formerly called Crime Victims, works for illegal immigrants, the bulk of any funds goes to this population.

Americans are not a priority. They are very happy to take our tax dollars, do nothing for us and revile us.

You see Americans are so very privileged and illegal immigrants have nothing except a huge lobby in Congress working every minute for them.

Anonymous said...

How does Congressman Ackerman stand on the issue?

http://grades.betterimmigration.com
/testgrades
category.php3?District=NY05&Category=4&Status=Career&VIPID
=575

Anonymous said...

send me up an eager busboy...
saw his photo in the back of the Queens Courier.
oh-la-la

or was that a she-male?

Anonymous said...

I wonder if any of you would have the same comments if you were native americas seeing a boat load of chained Africans being dragged in by a bunch of unwanted Europeans.

Anonymous said...

That doesn't make any sense considering that it was legal back then. This is the 21st century and slavery is not legal now.

Anonymous said...

Is it another case of illegals doing the jobs that Americans won't do?

What's the libertarian spin on this?

Anonymous said...

What's the libertarian spin on this?

Here's $10. Go buy a clue!

Anonymous said...

$10? Does that include a happy ending?

Anonymous said...

Does that include a happy ending?

As in saying goodbye to another troll? Then I'm in!

Anonymous said...

True this is a serious problem and the numbs are higher than they say. So, I guess Ray Kelly will adjust the crime stats quite a ways upward?

Cherokeesista said...

Anonymous said...
I wonder if any of you would have the same comments if you were native americas seeing a boat load of chained Africans being dragged in by a bunch of unwanted Europeans

To answer your question I AM NATIVE AMERICAN and Yes it would piss me the hell off!!! BUT THOSE DAYS ARE LONG GONE, and NOW OUR LAND IS BEING INVADED AGAIN BY AN ENEMY WAY WORSE!!! DEPORTATION!!!!!!