Human Trafficking Awareness Breakfast

Melissa and I attended a breakfast in downtown Phoenix, the purpose of which was to raise awareness of human trafficking in Maricopa County and broader Arizona. The breakfast was well-attended. Below are some highlights from the breakfast and some facts given to the audience about human trafficking.

Arizona Attorney General Mark Brnovich spoke about what he’s done to address this problem since coming into office. Before he came into office, the number of cases of human trafficking that were prosecuted could be counted on one hand. Now, his office has prosecuted over 350 cases. He’s established the Internet Crime Against Children unit (ICAC).

We then watched a video featuring Dr. Dominique Roe-Sepowitz from Arizona State University. She specializes in sex trafficking intervention research. With her was Commander James M. Gallagher of the Phoenix police. He said that he’s done all the cool jobs, but his current job working in the trafficking unit has been the most important one he’s had.

Some facts from their talk include:

• The average age at-risk youth are lured into sex trafficking is 13!
• The vast majority of trafficked victims are runaways. 60% are caught up in the child services system. They come from group homes, etc. This percentage is decreasing.
• The shift has been to train the detectives to recognize these kids as the victims.
• One of every four trafficked child was part of a special education program. There are a lot of sick people out there!
• Those that recruit victims are good at manipulating the victim. They can identify the vulnerabilities of that girl. They can find what is lacking in that person’s life. They fill that void, then push the boundary. “If only we could…If only we had…” and then introduce the idea of sex for money.
• When the sex happens, this is called the “initial consent”. The recruiter drops the façade and from that point uses that initial time against the victim to guilt the victim into continuing. The victim feels they need to do what they’re being told out of loyalty. The victim believes they deserve the lifestyle they have or that’s it all they can get. Unfortunately, this creates a strong pull / loyalty to the trafficker.
• Sex trafficking happens in a continuum. There are many varieties, not just the prostitute on the street. All ages can be involved. The trafficker can be a family member or a so-called friend.
• Virtual recruiting has risen dramatically. Online the recruiter portrays the lifestyle as glamorous.
• Prevention starts at home. Know what your kids are viewing online. Set boundaries.
• Pay attention to your community. Observe changed behaviors in families.

The breakfast was put on by the Phoenix Dream Center and Streetlight USA. Please consider supporting these organizations who are helping victims of human trafficking.