Fight Human Trafficking Event Summary
Hosted by Chicago-Kent College of Law and Co-Sponsored by UNA USA Greater Chicago Chapter along with many student organizations at Chicago-Kent.
On March 23, 2011, the Chicago-Kent UNA USA Chapter organized an event on a problem we don’t usually associate with the USA; Human Trafficking.
Katie Jahnke and Susan Lee, Chicago-Kent law students and UNA USA members, brought together a powerful panel of speakers for the event. Anita Alvarez, Cook County State’s Attorney who since taking office in 2008 created a Human Trafficking Initiative and authored the Illinois Safe Children Act, kicked off the event. Other guest panelists included Sehla Ashai, Anti-Trafficking Specialist of the International Organization For Adolescents (IOFA), Will Burns, the current 4th Ward alderman, Rachel Durchslag, Executive Director of the Chicago Alliance Against Sexual Exploitation (CAASE) and Jennifer Greene, Violence Against Women Advisor to Cook Country State’s Attorney.
Susan Lee moderated the panel discussion and then led an audience question and answer session. Highlights of the discussion included:
The Statistics…
- Annually, 600, 000 to 800,000 women, men and children are trafficked all over the world
- It is estimated that human trafficking is worth $32 billion
- 16,000 to 25,000 women and girls are forced into the commercial sex industry in Chicago, Illinois
Where do victims come from?
Victims come from any country, even the U.S.
In Chicago, most victims are from the U.S.
How does it happen?
Three separate crimes:
- Forced Labor
- Sexual Commerce
- Minor Exploitation
Most victims are immigrants
Victims are promised legitimate jobs in Western Europe or around the world but when they arrive at their destination, they find out they have been tricked
Many young and minor victims are runaways
How is victim treated?
- Victims are physically and mentally controlled
- Victims are threatened that if they say anything, then their families will get hurt/killed
- Victims are psychologically taught to think they are doing the right thing and to even “love” their traffickers
Who can be the victim?
- It can be anyone!
- Victim can be of any age, even a minor!
- Some are uneducated or have not completed education
- Victim can be disoriented with surroundings
- Victim can be an immigrant and/or displaced refugee
Human Trafficking Signs:
- 2/3 have admitted to receiving emergency care without identifying themselves as victims
- Victims usually don’t know English and really want an interpreter
- There is a "climate of fear" ie. s/he fears or hates boss
- There are wage disputes
- ex) Victim mentions large payment to pay off
- Woman/girl has a "pimp"
- The background of the person (abusive home, immigration status)
- Person has behavioral problems
- Place is dark and covered up
- ex) Massage parlor that has windows covered with blinds
What about the “johns,” those who purchase sexual commerce? Research indicates:
- Some were more conflicted rather than happy
- Some feel suicidal afterwards
- Some cut or harm themselves
- 15% were abused as children
- Some think they did the right thing because they think they are giving victims money, feeding them and providing them pleasure
- Some wanted to recreate a porn scene
Reasons why prostitution should not be legal:
- Demand goes up
- Give less protection to women
- Unhealthy issue for women
- Can cost money
- ex) All rooms where sexual interaction is transacted will have to have installed an “emergency button” for those who are being raped
We are living in a “pornographic” culture today…How to spread the word?
- There is a new curriculum for high school boys in schools
- Film Festivals
- Plays
- Poster Campaigns
- Word of Mouth!
By Ivana Gentile
Intern from Dominican University, UNA USA Greater Chicago Chapter