How To Talk To Youth About Human Trafficking Blue Campaign Office of American School Counselor Association Partnership and Engagement June 16, 2021 Presenters

Brandi Bynum Sherri Harris Acting Program Manager Victim Assistance Specialist Blue Campaign Homeland Security Investigations Today’s Presentation

Agenda • About Blue Campaign • Youth Exploitation and Human Trafficking • Examples of Youth Exploitation • How to Talk to Youth About Exploitation • Reporting Actions About Blue Campaign

Blue Campaign is a national public awareness campaign, designed to educate the public, law enforcement and other community partners to recognize the indicators of human trafficking, and how to appropriately respond to possible cases. Blue Campaign works closely with U.S. Department of Homeland Security components to create general awareness training and materials for law enforcement and others to increase detection of human trafficking, and to identify victims. Blue Campaign Long-Term Strategic Outcomes

Protection Prevention

Outcome 1: Increase law Outcome 1: Decrease victimization enforcement use of trauma- within vulnerable communities. informed approaches. Outcome 2: Deter criminal activity. Outcome 2: Educate the public and industry on how to recognize and report human trafficking. Blue Campaign History

Blue Campaign is the unified voice for the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) efforts to combat human trafficking.

Human Trafficking training Continued Presence becomes a 2-year Blue Lightning becomes mandatory for all DHS benefit for trafficking victims. Prevention formally Initiative created. operational components. added to Blue Blue Campaign Human Trafficking training Campaign’s mission. created. becomes an official part of basic training at FLETC.

2010 2012 2014 2016 2018 2020

2011 2013 2015 2017 2019

The Trade Facilitation and Trade Department of Homeland Security HSI’s Victim Assistance Enforcement Act of 2015 closes demand Blue Campaign Authorization Act Program officially created. loophole, preventing products made from of 2017 became law. forced labor from entering the U.S. Blue Campaign 10th Anniversary. USCIS implements a wait list Flight attendant training on human trafficking process for U visa applicants. becomes mandatory for air carriers. Current Efforts to Counter Human Trafficking

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Citizenship and Immigration Services Homeland Security Investigations Ombudsman U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Enforcement and Removal Operations Federal Emergency Management Agency U.S. Secret Service Federal Law Enforcement Training Center

U.S. Customs and Intelligence & Analysis Border Protection U.S. Coast Guard Management Directorate U.S. Citizenship and Office for Civil Rights and Immigration Services Civil Liberties Transportation Security Office of Inspector General Administration Science & Technology Office of Partnership and Engagement/ Blue Campaign Office of Strategy, Policy, and Plans How to Talk to Youth About Human Trafficking

Blue Campaign developed a guide for adults who work with or care for youth with guidance on how to talk about human trafficking.

The guide includes information about: • How traffickers operate and reach potential victims • Myths and realities of human trafficking • Youth vulnerabilities • Indicators of human trafficking specific to youth • Dos and don’ts of talking to youth about human trafficking • Lifestyle factors that may help prevent exploitation • Reporting options What is Human Trafficking?

Human trafficking involves the use of force, fraud, or coercion to obtain some type of labor or commercial sex act.

The crime of human trafficking hinges on the exploitation of another person.

Human trafficking victims can be any age, race, gender identity, sex, ethnicity, nationality, immigration status, and socioeconomic class. Human Trafficking Myths

MYTH REALITY

When someone is trafficked, they are kidnapped and Being trafficked may be a gradual process. held against their will. Traffickers are older men who prey on young girls. Traffickers can be any race, gender, or age. Victims can also be any race, gender, or age. Youth experiencing human trafficking do not go to Youth who attend school and are involved in community school. activities are still at-risk for being trafficked. Traffickers target victims they do not know. In many cases, traffickers target vulnerable people who they already know. Only undocumented individuals are forced labor victims. Anyone can be a victim of forced labor.

Forced labor doesn’t occur in legal or legitimate business Forced labor takes place in all kinds of businesses and settings. settings, both legal and illegal. How Traffickers Operate

Traffickers prey on victims who are vulnerable because of their lack of social or family support, unstable housing, previous traumatic experiences, immigration status, limited English proficiency, and/or inability to decipher exploitive situations.

• Who are traffickers? • Where are traffickers reaching victims? Indicators of Human Trafficking

Physical Does the youth… • Have unexplained absences from school or display a sudden drop in school performance? • Show sudden or dramatic changes in behavior? For example, if a typically mild- mannered youth begins acting out or a typically outgoing youth becomes reclusive and disconnected from peers. • Suddenly have more (and/or more expensive) material possessions, like purses, clothing, and/or cell phones? • Chronically run away from home? • Act fearful, anxious, depressed, submissive, tense, or nervous/paranoid? Indicators of Human Trafficking

Behavioral Does the youth… • Exhibit behaviors that would get them suspended (fighting, class disruptions)? • Defer to another person to speak for him or her, especially during interactions with authority figures? • Appear to be deprived of food, water, sleep, medical care, or other necessities? • Talk about or use language related to performing sex acts for money? • Have tattoos or scars that may indicate branding from a trafficker? Indicators of Human Trafficking

Social Does the youth… • Have a “boyfriend,” “girlfriend,” or romantic partner who is noticeably older? • Engage in sexual behavior that puts them at risk of harm or indicate they may be experiencing abuse from their partner? • Stop attending the youth activities they normally attend? • Reference traveling to other cities or towns frequently? • Seem restricted from contacting family, friends, or his or her legal guardian? • Seem to work excessively long hours or during school hours? • Talk about getting paid very little or not at all for the work they do? • Appear to not have the freedom to quit their job? Youth Vulnerabilities

Risk Factors • Poverty • Community or familial history of • Homelessness trafficking • Interaction with foster care or juvenile • Substance abuse or addictions justice systems • Cognitive and physical disabilities • Lack of support networks • Experiencing traumatic events • Gang involvement • Cultural historical trauma • History of Running away • Being the sole or primary provider for • Low self-esteem their family • Being bullied • Experience discrimination • Family history of sexual abuse or violence Youth Vulnerabilities

Protective Factors • Talking about being taken advantage of and what that can look like • Building self-esteem • Fostering a sense of community • Fostering an environment of acceptance • Encouraging youth to seek help from a trusted adult • Emphasizing to youth that there are people like you who will advocate for them • Building pride for their community • Talking about characteristics of healthy relationships • Talking about safe internet use Example of Potential Human Trafficking

Controlling “Boyfriend” Henry is a teacher who oversees a classroom of 15 middle schoolers. He really gets to know the kids during the school year and enjoys watching them become friends with each other. He often overhears the kids talking about crushes, boyfriends, and girlfriends. Most of the time these conversations are innocent, but he overhears a group of the girls chatting about hanging out over the weekend. One of the girls, Carmen, says she needs to ask her boyfriend for permission to hang out with them. One of her friends asks, “Wouldn’t you need to ask your grandma, not your boyfriend?” Carmen responds, “I know my grandma will say yes, but my boyfriend gets mad when I don’t spend enough time with him. I really don’t want to make him mad.” Henry knows immediately that this does not seem like an appropriate relationship dynamic for a middle schooler. He has also seen Carmen being dropped off at school by an older man who he assumed was a relative, but now he is second guessing. Henry decides to talk to his supervisor about his concerns that Carmen may be in an exploitative situation. What indicators of potential exploitation are present in this scenario? Example of Potential Human Trafficking

Controlling “Boyfriend” Henry is a teacher who oversees a classroom of 15 middle schoolers. He really gets to know the kids during the school year and enjoys watching them become friends with each other. He often overhears the kids talking about crushes, boyfriends, and girlfriends. Most of the time these conversations are innocent, but he overhears a group of the girls chatting about hanging out over the weekend. One of the girls, Carmen, says she needs to ask her boyfriend for permission to hang out with them. One of her friends asks, “Wouldn’t you need to ask your grandma, not your boyfriend?” Carmen responds, “I know my grandma will say yes, but my boyfriend gets mad when I don’t spend enough time with him. I really don’t want to make him mad.” Henry knows immediately that this does not seem like an appropriate relationship dynamic for a middle schooler. He has also seen Carmen being dropped off at school by an older man who he assumed was a relative, but now he is second guessing. Henry decides to talk to his supervisor about his concerns that Carmen may be in an exploitative situation. Do’s and Don’ts of Talking to Youth

DO DON’T Talk about exploitation Use crime-specific language

Talk about protective factors Talk about risk factors

Use empowering language Use victimizing language

Use language that resonates with youth Use “textbook” language

Express that you care and are concerned Focus on questioning their situation about their safety Lifestyle Factors

Healthy Relationships

Some characteristics of healthy relationships that can be emphasized with youth are: • Open communication • Respect for privacy • Violence is never okay • Consent Lifestyle Factors

Online Safety • Keep your profile and personal information private • Never accept a friend request from someone you do not know in real life. • If you share a personal photo and someone uses it to threaten or blackmail you, you have options • If you plan to meet someone in person that you met online, it should be in a public setting • Do your research on a job offer that seems too good to be true • Tell an adult if someone is not who they seem to be • Trust your instincts! Lifestyle Factors

Job Promises

Indicators of a false job promise could include: • The payment and the job description do not seem to match • The employer does not request any information about your previous work experience. • The employer asks for a photo of you as part of the application process. • The employer asks a lot of personal questions about you that are not relevant to the potential job. • The employer requests a substantial fee to cover the costs of uniforms or other expenses. • The employer tells you not to tell anyone about the job or asks you to lie about your age. Youth Prevention Poster Series Child Victim Factors

• The victim may not consider or identify him/herself as a victim • Youth decision-making skills are not fully developed until early 20’s • Relationships between victims and offenders are diverse and complex • Victims may initially withhold the truth or use rehearsed responses • Victims need to feel safe enough to disclose and request assistance • Victims should not be blamed or shamed • Victims should be believed - give back the voice and the power that was stripped away from them

It only takes one trusted person to reverse the direction of a trafficked person’s life Stages of Change Considerations by Proschaska and Di Clemente

Identify the stage before you interact with a student you believe is being trafficked 1. Pre-Contemplation - The victim is in denial and is not seriously considering changing their behavior. 2. Contemplation - The victim is ambivalent. They can see reasons to change their behavior, but they are still hesitant. 3. Preparation - The victim has decided to change their behavior, and they begin to think about how to do so. During this stage they will begin to make minor changes to support their goal. 4. Action - Significant steps are taken to leave their trafficking situation. 5. Maintenance - The victim may continue to face challenges, but at this point, they are no longer in their trafficking situation. 6. Relapse - Some victim return to their previous problem behavior and might happen at any time. What you can do

Encourage a school-wide response where victims feels safe enough to ask for help • Create internal human trafficking response protocols - Can be adapted from current protocols (e.g. child abuse reporting protocols)  Cross-train all staff (from Janitors to SRO’s) - Including trauma-informed approach to disclosure and ongoing support  Make sure staff/students are not complicit or have a blind eye to what’s happening  Keep safety in mind for staff and potential victims  Include guidance on interacting with caregivers • Maintain appropriate contacts with trafficking specific support systems in your community  Meet regularly with law enforcement and social services agencies that sit on local human trafficking task forces  Participate on local task forces How to Report

• Follow your organization’s reporting protocols. o Do not at any time attempt to confront a suspected trafficker directly or alert the youth to your suspicions. • Call 911 or local law enforcement. • Call 1-866-347-2423 to reach the Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Tip Line. • Call 1-888-373-7888 or text HELP or INFO to BeFree (233733) to report suspected human trafficking to The National Human Trafficking Hotline. • Call 1-800-THE-LOST (1-800-843-5678) or got to CyperTipline.org to report suspected child sex trafficking to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC). Q&A

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