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Human Trafficking is right Here in Westchester County

The Atrocity is Everywhere

By Rich MonettiPublished 4 years ago 4 min read
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Photo by EpicTop10.com

When Lauren Pesso saw an ad in search of a human trafficking fellow at My Sister's Place in White Plains, it was surprising to her that the issue actually existed in Westchester. "You might see it in your own neighborhood and not even know it," said the LMSW at a presentation at the Somers Library. So raising the issue's profile at the local level is an important aspect of their work at this domestic violence shelter and a building block in someday ending this worldwide atrocity.

Federal Law Enforcement defines Human Trafficking as a form of modern day slavery. In turn, traffickers use force, fraud, coercion and threats to transport, harbor or obtain a person to perform commercial sex or labor acts against their will.

In 2009, an affluent Northern Westchester community was home to such a case. Twelve young girls willingly came abroad in response to an online ad for nannies which was posted by a Pound Ridge cookbook author. Over a period of several years, they received no pay and were forced to perform sexual acts on the resident. Typically, said Pesso, "Victims are duped into a circumstance like this and being locked in a room or chained to a radiator usually isn't the case."

Many times language acts as a barrier between the victim and the communities they live, while the threat of violence to themselves or family back home also keeps them contained. When a network of accomplices exists or organized crime is involved, traffickers continually move the victims around in order to severe any community connections that arise. As for outreach to law enforcement, a culture of distrust is so built within the victim that it's easy for them to assume that cops must also be dishonest.

At the same time, the police may not have a very good reputation in the victim’s native land so the same assumption is made here. All told, she said, “People feel trapped even though they are free to go.”

But victims are not limited to foreigners coerced here with false promises. By law, anyone under the age of 18 who is engaged in prostitution is considered to be a victim of human trafficking. Therefore, while anyone could be a victim, the odds increase in ratio to a person’s vulnerability. As a result, Pesso asserted, young people coming from a world of poverty, abuse or violence are more likely to view prostitution as an escape. And their introduction usually comes from an older relative or someone they know.

Pesso credits the enactment of Federal and State Human Trafficking laws to opening up local communities to addressing the problem. Selected as a Human Trafficking site, MSP began training law enforcement and social agencies in the practice of identifying the problem. “That’s when we really saw an increase in referrals,” Pesso revealed.

The added attention also alerted victims and community members where to call to get help. But matters are complicated when willing coercion to America involves illegal immigration. Initially, the victim has broken the law and that could victims on the outs. However, law enforcement has addressed this type of occurrence by setting up special visas so victims can come forward.

Called T-Visas, the document creates a temporary stay that allows the person to reapply for a permanent visa as the trafficking situation is resolved. Unfortunately, very few T-Visas have been issued, because victims must cooperate with law enforcement to help prosecute the offenders. "The fear of retribution keeps a lot people from seeking help," Pesso lamented.

Either way, in this year alone, MSP is providing services for 50 human trafficking cases. A significant intervention, she said, “Most survivors experience a lot of trauma.”

As it stands, Pesso can say that there's generally less success among younger victims. Considering their youth and homegrown background of abuse, they may not even feel as though they are victims and see prostitution as their most viable option. “A lot of times, she said, “they end up going back to the trafficker.”

Nonetheless, the numbers claim 12.3 million adults and children as victims and about 15,000 trafficked into the U.S. each year. That said, the tally really is a mystery. "It’s almost impossible to arrive at an accurate figure since so many never come forward or are never found," Pesso said.

For our efforts, being on the lookout for suspicious behavior is the best defense. She cautions against intervening yourself, because that puts you or the victim in harm’s way. Notify law enforcement or an agency like MSP, she implored.

Pesso admits that this is a long way from solving the problem, but vigilance on a small scale is really the best we can do. In this way, she concludes, we can at least change the odds for each potential victim.

My Sister's Place

Signs of Human Trafficking

Few or No personal Possessions

No Control of financial records or ID documents

Limited knowledge of whereabouts

Loss of sense of time

Controlled or restricted communication

Limited or restricted freedom to leave work (including excessive or inappropriate security features at the home and/or place of work

Excessively long or unusual work hours

Unpaid, underpaid or paid only through tips

Living in multiple residences in brief period

Signs of trauma, fatigue or abuse

Excessive fearfulness of law enforcement and/or other authority figures

Non-cooperativeness

investigation
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About the Creator

Rich Monetti

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