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June 4, 2014 by Shamere

Unavoidable Destiny | The Abnormal Return Home

As a native of Jamaica, my anticipations of returning home are always filled with excitement and joy. I think of visiting family members, activities and events and the food. While this trip is filled with excitement and joy it is also filled with a bit of nervousness and fear. For the very first time, I will witness the effects of human trafficking on my island home of Jamaica.

In 2007, Shared Hope published the Demand Report which is a “comparative examination of Sex Tourism and Trafficking in Jamaica, Japan, the Netherlands, and the United States.” Through this report I was exposed to the harsh reality and truth that sex trafficking occurs on the small island of Jamaica. In addition to the Demand Report, I delved into the Trafficking In Persons (TIP) Report, to further my knowledge on sex trafficking in Jamaica. The TIP report “represents an updated, global look at the nature and scope of trafficking in persons and the broad range of government actions to confront and eliminate it.” Although Jamaica was not included in the first two years of the publication of the TIP report, since its inclusion in 2003, Jamaica has fluctuated from a tier 2, to a tier 2 watch list to a tier 3, the lowest rank possible.

As a child growing up, I do not recall ever hearing or even witnessing anything that can be identified as human trafficking. I do remember hearing conversations about “go-gos” which is the equivalent to a stripper, but these were always adult women. In fact, “go-gos” are looked down upon by many citizens of Jamaica. Since my own trafficking ordeal, I have returned to the island four times and still didn’t see any signs of trafficking. Based on the two afore-mentioned reports, it is evident that trafficking exists on the island despite me not seeing any evidence. Sex trafficking takes a different form in Jamaica compared to America. In America, we have the standard forms of trafficking: pimp control, gang control, familial and survival sex. In Jamaica, sex trafficking mostly takes the form of familial, survival sex and sex tourism. With Jamaica being a third world country, I will definitely conclude that the major reason human trafficking continues to exist is due to the lack of economic opportunities. According to the Demand Report, many residents of Jamaica demonstrate and verbalize their belief that the severe economic situation of Jamaica forces a culture of “making do.” This culture of “making do” leads girls into sexual activity at an early age either by the idea of an opportunity or a better life or through force by parents or guardian as outlined in the Demand Report .

This trip, I will be visiting two homes that provides sevices to victims of sex trafficking (funded by Shared Hope International) on the island, in addtion to visiting some of the places where trafficking occurs and speaking with survivors. I am not sure I am ready to accept this reality. We all know abuse and injustice occurs but we don’t have to deal with it, as we simply place it to the back of our minds. I can no longer leave it in the back of my mind. I am preparing to accept the weigh of confronting, in person, that my country and my people are being scarred by sexual exploitation and violence.

I am really looking forward to speaking with students and survivors on the topic of “overcoming adversity.” Wether it is being a victim of sex trafficking or facing economic hardship, we are all faced with some forms of adversity. Many times, young people simply need a little encouragement and support when faced with adverstity instead of being rediculed. Therefore, I am happy to share about my own adversity, examples of how I am overcoming it and some words of encouragement.

I am very honored to join Shared Hope in Jamaica as we conduct a site visit to our Jamaician partners. I will be blogging while I am there so check back as I take this journey of an abnormal return home. Who knows, you just maybe offered a plate of ackee and saltfish (the national dish) and some festival similar to the picture on your right.

May 28, 2014 by Guest

Prevention, Protection, and International Cooperation Against the Use of Technologies to Exploit Children

23rd Session of the Commission on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice Conference

By: Eion Oosterbaan

In May 2014, a panel discussion meeting took place at the United Nations Office of Drugs and Crime (UNODC) at its headquarters in Vienna, Austria. This discussion served as a side event to the Twenty-third session of the Commission on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice Conference, specifically focused on the prevention, protection, and international cooperation against the use of new information technologies to abuse and/or exploit children. Eion Oosterbaan attended as a representative of Shared Hope International.

In attendance to speak as members of the discussion panel were Tejal Jesrani of the UNODC, Bjorn-Erik Ludvigsen of NCIS Norway, Andrew Oosterbaan of the USDOJ Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, and Ethel Quayle of the University of Edinburgh.

The discussion opened up with an outline of the UNODC’s Study and Technical Assistance Programme to Combat the Misuse of Internet Communications Technology (ICTs) to Abuse and Exploit Children. The study pointed out the severe and increasing threat that developing technologies pose to our children, and how the use of technology has enhanced the ability of sexual predators to commit offenses. The use of ICTs has allowed predators to enhance their access to child victims, increase levels of harm and re-victimization, and it has increased the profitability of criminal enterprises. The severe difficulties of keeping pace with the criminal usage of this quickly evolving technology has presented law enforcement many issues with combating these criminals.

Currently, law enforcement is falling behind as they severely lack the proper resources to contain the criminal activity of these predators online. The scale of child abuse on the Internet is too large and widespread to completely eradicate. New developments in technology have allowed individuals to hide their identity (through the use of IP Address encryption and web browsers such as Tor) as they increase the frequency and ease of their online sexual offenses. It has become incredibly difficult to track and identify these skilled offenders, as they have found a haven through technology.

The experts on the panel stressed the importance of keeping up with the technology that sex offenders are now using. If mastered, the use of ICTs can actually be used as a tool for prevention and detection. Law enforcement has undertaken a policy of proactive investigation through the use of computer forensics to detect and identify online offenders, and they have recognized the need to increase the perceived sense of police presence on the Internet (“Fear of Detection”) as a key to crime prevention. The panelists also stressed the importance of increased information sharing as a key method to combating online child abuse. Internationally, we must be more willing to share/exchange information and we must establish a certain level of cooperation between Internet Service Providers (ISPs) and law enforcement.

Overall, this meeting/discussion served as a means to identify the significant threat that developing technologies pose to children, get the issues out there, and begin the process of creating a viable solution. The experts on the panel admitted that there currently exists no concrete solution, but stressed the importance of continuing the conversation and making this a subject of high priority.

Shared Hope International has joined in the effort to help prevent and combat the threat of sexual predators online, and recognizes the dangers that the misuse of technology presents. The use of ICTs has greatly enhanced the ability for buyers to find and make contact with victims of human trafficking. Girls are openly advertised on Internet websites like Backpage and Craigslist, yet the identities of the girls, their pimps, and their buyers remain protected and undetectable. Shared Hope has taken this issue head on, using its expertise and resources to provide Sex Trafficking Identification and Response Training while also tracking the human trafficking cases found on these ICTs.

May 27, 2014 by Guest

LifeSiteNews – Bill would Punish Countries that Legalize Prostitution for Driving Human Trafficking and Sex Slavery

According to Vardaman, who is the senior director for anti-trafficking organization Shared Hope International, H.R. 4703 “is a clear and specific mandate to the State Department” to target the demand for human trafficking. She told LifeSiteNews that Hultgren’s legislation would add teeth to the TIP report, which she said has been used effectively “with regard to demand.”

“We know that demand is why sex trafficking exists,” Vardaman explained. “If people weren’t buying commercial sex acts or demanding forced labor, there would be no trafficking.”

Vardaman says that Hultgren’s bill highlights that “if a country can prohibit purchase of commercial sex acts and fails to, then they should be considered to be failing to deter demand.” According to Vardaman, this means the nation is “failing to make serious efforts to eliminate trafficking.”

“The two are inextricably linked,” she says. “HR 4703 is a thoughtful, surgical approach to reinforcing the U.S. leadership on eliminating human trafficking globally.”

FULL STORY – LifeSiteNews – Bill would Punish Countries that Legalize Prostitution for Driving Human Trafficking and Sex Slavery

More Media & News Coverage 2014

May 23, 2014 by Shamere

Unavoidable Destiny | First Semester Back in College

Education is a very important part of restoration for survivors of human trafficking. However, it can be very challenging at first, especially after a nine year break from school. In my last blog, I spoke about how nervous I was to return to school but that nervousness was quickly drowned by feelings of discouragement once I arrived in Chicago.

Prison would have been a better option. This thought lingered in my mind for several weeks after I moved to Chicago to complete my education. Here I was, in a new city, on a scholarship, at a University with a social justice mission but would rather be in prison. For many people returning to school meant they had to think about how they would pay for tuition, fees and text books but these were of no concern to me since these expenses were already paid. I had to worry about a place to live.

First Day in Chicago — First day in Chicago

Prior to moving to Chicago I thought I would arrive a week before school started, find a place to live, move in and get settled before the start of the semester. A very kind friend offered to open their home to me while I looked for a place of my own. I was under the assumption that crashing on their couch wouldn’t be too bad, it would only be for a short time until I found a place and moved out.

It took two months to find a place to live. Due to my felony conviction, I was denied because I couldn’t pass the background check. I broke down many times just thinking about how I got into this predicament. How could the trafficker use his tactics of manipulation and fear to hold me in exploitation and now, though I’m free, I continue to suffer the consequences of my actions under his direction.

“Why me?” became my solemn cry. I wanted to quit school and move back to D.C. Instead of being in school, I wanted to be in a courtroom fighting on my own behalf. Through the coercion of my pimp, I committed criminal acts, driven by the fear of the brutal torture I received when I was not compliant. Yet, I was punished with a felony and given probation. Although I was free from the physical bars of a prison cell, I felt confined to the reality that my victimization didn’t matter and I will forever pay the price for what was done to me by a gorilla pimp.

Although thoughts of giving up crossed my mind, I didn’t have the guts to quit. I am NOT a quitter but a fighter, determined to succeed no matter how hard it may seem. It seemed I had taken my eyes off my prize—the very reason I was going to school to get my degree. I must fulfill my dream of becoming an attorney and ultimately fight for girls who may end up in my situation so they do not have to face these same struggles. I pressed my way through failing the first half of the semester. It was difficult to focus the attention I needed for school when I had yet to find a home.

I got a glimpse of the sun breaking through my gloomy skies as I remember the One in whom my faith lies. I turned to the only source I know, the One who is able to keep me from falling – Jesus Christ. By March 1, I moved into a brand new apartment, with brand new appliances. The landlord was aware of my background and approved me. With only two months left in the semester, I had work to do. I couldn’t afford to fail the first semester and the library became my best friend. Friday nights when all the students were getting ready to hit the town, I was in the library trying to catch up.

My mentor, Professor Donoghue, author and historian, was my biggest motivator. When I had the look of depression on my face he would always provide me with encouraging words. As part of my scholarship from Loyola, I am conducting research on the history of sex trafficking but Professor Donoghue encouraged me to apply for another fellowship. I applied, doubtful that I would be selected for the fellowship. The Director for the Center of Experiential Learning, Dr. Green, and the Undergraduate Research Program Manager, Dr. Warner, said they were impressed by my application and awarded me with the Social Justice Research Fellowship where I will be conducting research on the bottom girl phenomenon in sex trafficking and presenting my findings at the 2015 Week of Excellence at Loyola University.

A little faith is all it took to get me back on the path of determination. I completed the semester passing every class. Thanks to the other survivors who shared their struggles in returning to school and a host of supporters who continue to motivate and encourage me in my uphill battle.

May 21, 2014 by SHI Staff

Unanimous Bipartisan Support Results in Passage of 5 Anti-trafficking Bills

Shared Hope commends Congress’ support of critical anti-trafficking legislation, marking a monumental achievement for anti-trafficking advocates

PRESS RELEASE

Arlington, VA (May 21, 2014)—Shared Hope International, a leading anti-trafficking organization, commends the remarkable bipartisan support of the U.S. House of Representatives in passing a series of five bills that will strengthen America’s response to child victims of sex trafficking. The bills include:

H.R. 3530, Justice for Victims of Trafficking Act (JVTA)
H.R. 3610, Stop Exploitation Through Trafficking Act of 2013 (SETT)
H.R. 4058, Preventing Sex Trafficking and Improving Opportunities for Youth in Foster Care Act
H.R. 4225, Stop Advertising Victims of Exploitation Act of 2014 (SAVE)
H.R. 4573, International Megan’s Law

“We’re excited to see a growing intolerance for the factors that make trafficking flourish: demand for commercial sex with minors, online classified sites that facilitate the sale of children, and a disregard for the protection from exploitation of homeless, runaway and foster youth,” Linda Smith, President and Founder of Shared Hope International said.

Shared Hope International worked closely with the sponsors and co-sponsors of the bills, especially Shared Hope 2013 Pathbreaker Award recipient Rep. Judge Ted Poe, to draft and secure support for H.R. 3530, the Justice for Victims of Trafficking Act. The bill includes key provisions to deter demand for commercial sex with minors by clarifying the current sex trafficking law; encouraging police, prosecutors, judges and juries to target and punish buyers; and reducing affirmative defenses under the Mann Act for buyers by requiring them to show clear and convincing evidence that the buyer believed the child was an adult.

“Shared Hope International’s demand research, promotion of pioneering efforts of federal prosecutors to prosecute buyers, and encouragement of federal legislators to solidify these gains through statute has been fortified through the critical demand provisions addressed in the Justice for Victims of Trafficking Act,” Smith said. “This monumental victory aligns advocacy efforts, legislative priorities and law enforcement tactics to create an unshakable foundation of protection for America’s victimized and vulnerable.”

Congress’ unanimous support for five anti-trafficking bills is a reflection of the prioritization of child sex trafficking by federal legislators, initiated substantially by the leadership of Rep. Chris Smith, the original author of the foundational anti-trafficking law, the Trafficking Victims Protection Act of 2000 (TVPA). Today, as the scope and sophistication of trafficking networks advance, so do legislative solutions. The passage of International Megan’s Law tracks with global concerns about traveling sex offenders and the widespread problem of child trafficking. H.R. 3610, the SAVE Act, recognizes the increasing role of online classified websites in facilitating child sex trafficking. H.R. 4058 attempts to block the foster care to trafficking pipeline.