United Nations and Inter- Parliamentary Union Join Forces to Combat Trafficking in Persons

From UN.GIFT:

8 April 2009- Yesterday in the Ethiopian capital, the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU), and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) in the framework of the Global Initiative to Fight Human Trafficking (UN.GIFT) launched the publication Combating Trafficking in Persons: A Handbook for Parliamentarians.

"Parliaments and parliamentarians have the power to prevent human trafficking by raising awareness and curbing exploitative practices". Said UNODC Executive Director Antonio Maria Costa. The President and Secretary-General of IPU, as well as the Speaker of the Austrian Parliament, were present at the launch.

As public awareness of human trafficking grows, people are demanding that action be taken to end it. As their elected representatives, parliamentarians have a responsibility and the power to ensure that laws and other measures are put in place and implemented to that end. The Handbook is intended to inspire them to enact sound laws and adopt good practices that will strengthen national responses to human trafficking.

The handbook also contains a compilation of international laws and good practices developed to combat human trafficking, and offers guidance on how national legislation can be brought in line with international standards by, for example, defining trafficking in persons and criminalizing all its forms. It outlines measures to prevent commission of the crime, to prosecute offenders and to protect victims.

"I urge you to use this Handbook, not only as a reference, but as a blueprint for strengthening your country's response to this crime" the Executive Director added.

In conclusion, it is clear that parliamentarians have a role to play in the fight against human trafficking. As agenda-setters and voices of the people, they can have significant power and influence in developing anti-human trafficking laws and policies.

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Combating Trafficking in Persons: A Handbook for Parliamentarians is a useful step forward for legislators and compiles a significant amount of information. The Handbook lays out the various definitions of human trafficking and the international legal framework for combating trafficking in persons, the criminalization of trafficking, monitoring and reporting on human trafficking and enhancing the role of civil society in fighting human trafficking. This Handbook could be a useful resource in developing a common methodology for monitoring and reporting on human trafficking. Presently, a major problem with human trafficking statistics is that they are no comparable across countries and the standards of data collection vary significantly.

However, it is important to stress that, even when a country enacts stronger anti-trafficking in persons laws, this does not mean much for trafficking victims if these laws are not properly implemented. While Combating Trafficking in Persons: A Handbook for Parliamentarians may ultimately prove to be a useful resource for legislators for basic facts, more must be done to ensure that laws are not only enacted but fully implemented and actualized.

Job Opening with Safe Horizon

From Idealist.org:

Safe Horizon
Sr. Case Manager-Anti-trafficking

Salary: $30,441- $34,246.full benefits, 4 weeks vac

Education: Bachelor (BA, BS, etc.)

Location: Jackson Heights, New York, 11372, United States

Posted by: Safe Horizon
Job Category: Direct social services

Language(s): Spanish

Job posted on: April 13, 2009

Area of Focus: Crime, Safety, and Victims’ Issues
Type: Full time

Last day to apply: June 12, 2009

Description:

Using an intensive case management model and human rights based approach, Safe Horizon operates a comprehensive, community-focused social and legal services program for survivors of human trafficking, many of whom have experienced and witnessed physical and/or psychological abuse, survived torture and other forms of organized violence.

Essential Job Functions:

• Provide intensive case management support, client accompaniment, advocacy, information, and linkages with community service providers and local, state and federal law enforcement, on behalf of victims of human trafficking.
• Offer crisis intervention, short-term counseling, accompaniment and referrals.
• Collaborate and coordinate services with external partners to provide a continuum of care for clients.
• Advocate for clients’ rights to protect the best interest of the client.
• Conduct outreach and presentations to identified communities and providers, informing them about the services the Anti-Trafficking Program provides, and generate referrals.
• Maintain accurate and thorough case records, advocacy letters, database entries and agency documentation as required.
• Prepare narrative and case management reports on a monthly basis for funders.
• Ability to clearly and concisely articulate case issues and opposing viewpoints.
• Participate in community forums, community working groups, and trafficking task force work as required.
• Active participation in weekly staff meetings with a small and dynamic team.
• Complete additional tasks as required by the Anti-Trafficking Program.

Additional Qualifications:

• BA and at least 3 years experience working with trafficking survivors or similar population or MA/MSW and at least one year of experience working with trafficking survivors or similar populations.
• Counseling experience with survivors of physical and emotional abuse or crime victims who are immigrants and refugees or similar populations.
• Cultural competency and linguistic fluency.
• Second language required. Spanish a plus; Russian, Korean, French or Chinese desired.
• Excellent and effective writing skills, organization and communication skills required.
• Must be familiar with a wide range of social justice, immigration, refugee issues; the underlying social issues effecting survivors of human trafficking, violent crime, domestic violence, torture, flight from persecution in other countries, and those seeking basic family re-unification; and human rights based approaches to combating trafficking.
• Prior experience organizing and executing group trainings and information exchanges is preferred.
• Ability to work independently and manage multiple tasks.
• Computer skills.

How to Apply:

Please email resume and a cover letter addressing the knowledge, skills and abilities required to Fiona Mason, Supervising Social Worker, Anti-Trafficking Program. Resumes without a detailed cover letter will not be considered. atpjobs@safehorizon.org

For other positions available with this organization, please click here.

Trafficking Victims for Sale in The Washington Post?

*Image from NY Times

Would you be shocked to learn that the Washington Post contributes to human trafficking in the DC area? As a DC resident and a Post reader I was sorely disappointed to realize that the venerable Washington Post, one of the nation’s most well-respected papers, still accepts ads for “massage parlors.” This is not a new issue; in August of 2006 the Washington Post’s then-Ombudsman Deborah Howell declared that it was “time to drop the massage parlor ads,” noting that “men don’t go there for backrubs.”

Katherine Chon, co-founder of the Polaris Project, an anti-trafficking NGO based in Washington, DC, raised the issue of massage parlor ads in the Washington Post in a great blog on April 9th for Change.org’s End Human Trafficking blog. Chon points out that the Washington Post continues to accept advertisements from massage parlors even though they have reported on the human trafficking that takes place in these quasi-legal establishments.

According to Chon, …The Washington Post has been a primary source for them to visit massage parlors and spas in the DC area. Most recently, on March 16, one man wrote "Washington Post is posting ads again" in response to another john's question about where to find commercial sex in DC.

During my tenure at Polaris Project, a non-governmental organization combating modern-day slavery, we've worked with dozens of women who've been victims of human trafficking within brothels disguised as massage parlors. Almost all of the women from commercially-fronted brothels we've worked with in the DC area have been victimized in locations that have been advertised in The Washington Post's Sports section.

These women are often offered legitimate jobs, but then forced into prostitution. Many are unable to leave the brothel. Several are threatened with gang violence and others are threatened with harm to family members if they tried to leave. Some women are in debt bondage, and most have experienced some type of sexual violence or coercion from customers frequenting the brothels. All of them want to escape.

In early 2006, representatives of The Washington Post's Advertising Department said that if they knew there was illegal activity occurring in these "massage parlors," they would take the advertisements down. Did they not know that their own journalists had reported on human trafficking in several massage parlors advertised in their paper?

I picked up yesterday's paper and saw that while there were only six advertisements for commercial sex-oriented parlors and spas in the Sports section, The Washington Post was still accepting such ads. I attribute the decrease in overall ads (which was up to 35 at one of its high points in 2002) mostly to the work of the DC Task Force on Human Trafficking and the general state of the economy.

Read the full blog here.

Mary Ann Werner, vice president and counsel for The Post in 2006, claimed that employees review ads for “matters of taste.” Despite this “stringent” policy, The Post has not taken steps to ban these ads since the issue was first raised in August of 2006. The Post does accept ads for escort services since they claim these can be “fronts for prostitution.” Why not apply this policy to ads for massage parlors which can be fronts not only for prostitution but also human trafficking?

Other comparable papers, such as the LA Times, The New York Times, The Boston Globe, and The Chicago Tribune have long refused to run ads for massage parlors. I have not yet seen a response from The Post so it is unclear how this situation will be resolved. For now, I highly recommend signing The Polaris Project’s petition to tell the Washington Post to stop supporting brothels. As for me, I think I will be purchasing the New York Times for the foreseeable future.

Trafficking and Deportation

A few days ago, a man in North Carolina was convicted for two counts of sex trafficking of minors and one count of interstate transportation of an adult for the purpose of commercial sex. At this point the only things I've read about it was the press release from the Department of Justice, and a blog post over on the End Human Trafficking blog on Change.org - but I find the case intereting for several reasons that I thought I'd share.

First, the man is an 'undocumented Mexican National' - the politically correct term for an illegal alien. Based on the fact that he was undocumented, and the crimes he was convicted of, there are several reasons for which he can and will be deported (the correct term is 'removed' - but most people still say deported). What I'm curious about is the EXACT reason the government will use when he is ordered removed/deported - will it be his illegal entry into the United States? Will it be based on the crimes he committed constituting crimes involving moral turpitude or aggravated felonies? (Please ignore that brief slip into immigration law concepts - I'm about to make my real point). OR - will it be because he is found to be a 'significant trafficker in persons'?!?

Ta-da! There is my point - because in case you didn't know, up until December 23, 2008 there was no specific ground for deportability/removability for human trafficking. Sure, it would likely fall within a variety of other reasons for deportation, but such laws are tricky and I like seeing it be its own ground, rather than trying to force it into one of the other categories.

Now - there are still plenty of questions to be answered. For instance, what does 'significant' trafficker in persons mean? Also, in terms of sex trafficking, I'm wondering whether this would encompass the Johns who pay to exploit the trafficked victim (because they technically meet the definition of a trafficker).

There are plenty of other things to say about the article and the law - but I will leave it to you to bring it up in the comment section and maybe we can get a discussion going. Meanwhile, I hope this little glimpse into US laws related to trafficking was enlightening.

Job Opening with Polaris Project

From Idealist.org:

Organization: Polaris Project

Position: Director of Development

Location: Washington, District of Columbia, 20013-8892, United States

Job Category: Fundraising & Development

Job posted: April 7, 2009

Last day to apply: June 6, 2009

Type: Full time

Language(s): English

Area of Focus: Foundations, Fundraising, and Philanthropy, Victim Support Services, Women's Issues

Degree Preferred: Bachelor’s degree required; advanced degree and CFRE certification preferred

Type: Full-Time

Salary: $65,000-$75,000 (DOE)

Start Date: July 1, 2009

Position Description: Polaris Project is a nationally recognized organization working to combat human trafficking and modern-day slavery since 2002. Polaris Project seeks a Director of Development to manage and oversee a dynamic fundraising program and to build the organization’s financial support by using time-tested as well as cutting-edge techniques. She/he will work on creating an effective strategy to match growth and create a culture of donor recognition, involvement and stewardship throughout the organization. This person will be under the supervision of the Executive Director and work in collaboration with staff and the Board of Directors. The 2009 budget is projected at $2.8 million. The position will be based out of the headquarters office in Washington, DC.

The Director of Development will:

• Manage and execute a comprehensive fundraising strategy including major and individual gifts, foundation relations, government grants, and corporate partnerships.
• Lead development efforts to reach increasing annual goals.
• Provide supervision to 2 Development Officers and multiple volunteer fellows.
• Cultivate, solicit and steward current donors and help to identify prospective donors.
• Oversee the grant-writing process, including editing grant applications and reports and ensuring timely and high-quality submissions as well as cultivating relationships with foundations to raise awareness about human trafficking and Polaris Project as funding priorities.
• Work on creating annual dinner/awards ceremony, community fundraising groups, online fundraising and communication tools, and planned giving program.
• Coordinate with Finance team and Executive Management team to ensure that funds are properly recorded and that grant budgets and reports are in alignment.
• Plan and lead weekly development meetings and represent the team at weekly Management meetings.
• Collaborate with Public Outreach team to implement a solid communications strategy to support fundraising initiatives, including donor solicitation materials and an annual report.

Additional Qualifications:

• Minimum 7 years of demonstrated success in fundraising, ideally in a fast-paced environment.
• Proven track record of managing a development program and meeting goals from diverse sources.
• Experience with budget preparation and financial management, analysis and revenue forecasting.
• Excellent organizational and written and oral communication skills including superb editing, proofreading and presentation abilities.
• Excellent problem-solving skills, strategic thinking, and attention to detail.
• Proficient use of Microsoft Office Suite and donor database (eTapestry a plus).
• Experience, competence, and confidence in supervising and managing staff and volunteers.
• Experience preferred in leading a capital campaign, creating an endowment, and developing a planned giving program.
• Integrity, comfort, and ability to gain the trust and confidence of supporters and stakeholders.
• Willingness and ability to travel as needed.
• Resiliently positive and energetic attitude

How to Apply:
All application materials should be sent as attachments to Applications@polarisproject.org. Materials should include a custom cover letter, resume, writing sample and three references, plus any additional personal statements you may wish to include. The deadline for application is rolling until a candidate is chosen, so early application is advised. Polaris Project is an equal opportunity employer.

For other positions available with this organization, please click here.

Faceless International

In light of economic crisis and the growing epidemic of selfishness in our country, there are a increasing number of people who are trying to make changes in the world we live in.

Now, I may be biased because I have had the pleasure of working alongside and creating a relationship with these people. Aside from that, I completely respect anyone who desires to create change in our community.

Faceless International is a non-profit organization that began with friends reflecting on a trip to Haiti and sparked a fire that is has yet to burn as brightly as it could. The momentum in growing and the amount of change that this organization could create is going to be admirable and monumental.

The heartbeat of this organization is Stephen Christian (of Anberlin) and Sarah Freeman. Together with many others, they have begun educating young people around the world on issues that effect us today. Be it fair trade, issues of people without homes, or human trafficking; they inspire folks across the country to make change happen in their own backyards and all over the world. Also given the amount of exposure they get with Anberlin, (and other bands like The Classic Crime & Showbread) there are endless amounts of people who will learn about relevant issues. Especially reaching those that wouldn’t otherwise hear about these issues. They can also gain the enthusiasm of people that they admire for issues they care about most.

Within a generation that wants to create change, Faceless goes about it the right way. They form community among its volunteers and within the place they serve.

Whether it’s doing laundry for low-income families in Los Angeles, singing and dancing with the Dahlit in India, forming relationships with coffee farmers in Guatemala; Faceless brings about stories and faces to incredible issues. They inspire the people who pay to spend their time and efforts to take all they learn home. They inspire people to form relationships and community with people all around the world.

Recently I went with Faceless to Los Angeles for my spring break from graduate school (I also went with them to India in December). Eight other students from different locations all came together for different causes; to learn, to serve and to grow. Leaving LA, we had become best friends and family. We know each other’s stories, passions and struggles. We helped each other through tough moments, awkward situations and when coming face to face with an injustice we want to fight. Not only that, we learned stories of youth who have been living on Venice Beach for years. We saw hope for trafficking victims to become survivors. Faceless builds unity to bring community to the people around us and it’s beautiful.

Check out www.facelessinternational.com, or email, ask questions and get involved. Be the change you want to see, make a difference. Be a light to a city that doesn’t have enough.

UN.GIFT Expert Group Initiative on Stakeholder Cooperation with Law Enforcement

From UNGIFT:

1 April 2009 - In the framework of the United Nations Global Initiative to Fight Human Trafficking (UN.GIFT), of which the International Organization for Migration is one of the Steering Committee members, IOM Vienna hosted last Monday, an Expert Group Initiative (EGI) on Cooperation between law enforcement institutions and stakeholders to effectively combat and prevent trafficking in human beings.

The purpose of the Conference was to present, discuss and disseminate the ''Guiding Principles on Memoranda of Understanding between Key Stakeholders and Law Enforcement Agencies on Counter-Trafficking Cooperation'', developed under this Expert Group Initiative.

Some of the topics addressed were the benefits and challenges on formalized cooperation between stakeholders to counter trafficking in human beings as well as some existing practices on institutionalized collaboration at regional, national and international levels.

Formalized cooperation, such as Memoranda of Understanding (MoU), clearly identifies the driving principles of such cooperation, and contributes to the building of mutual trust and the development of a common understanding on the objectives and policies of the different parties.

While the conference generated much dialogue on a wide range of topics, discussions on the Guiding Principles took centre stage. The Guiding Principles are a practical reference tool for counter trafficking experts from law enforcement agencies and stakeholders on how to build Memoranda of Understanding on cooperation between those institutions on preventing and combating trafficking in human beings as well as on protecting the trafficked persons.

The Conference also served as a platform for counter-trafficking experts to exchange their knowledge and experience.

IOM invite all counter-trafficking actors to make good use of the Guiding Principles and will gratefully receive feedback on the Guiding Principles as well as will happily support any related counter-trafficking initiatives.

In conclusion, there was a general consensus amongst participants that MoUs will guarantee formalized continuity of cooperation and reinforced preventive and combative anti-trafficking practices.

Guiding Principles

This is a small, but targeted and specific step for international law enforcement cooperation to continue to improve. The nature of the international crime inherently requires international law enforcement cooperation in order to combat the crime effectively, but the formalization of policies and procedures between countries has been slow to develop. Hopefully with more readily accessible tools such as this, progress in the best interest of the victims and of justice can occur faster.