NO KA OI HEALTH
J anuary is Human Trafficking Awareness Month, which is a topic we need to raise awareness around as it is a global problem to which Hawaii is not immune. Please be aware this article includes sensitive content, including the types and subtypes of trafficking.
Human trafficking is a crime where the traffickers exploit and profit at the expense of others. It is a large money-making industry, including both forced labor and commercial sex trafficking. More than 27.6 million adults and children are subjected to human trafficking around the world, according to the U.S. Department of State. Trafficking robs millions of their freedom and dignity, builds fear and threatens public safety.
There are two types of labor trafficking to emphasize: domestic servitude and forced child labor. Domestic servitude is where victims are required to perform work in a private residence, are often isolated and have their access to housing, food, transportation and schooling controlled. Domestic servitude is hidden from the world, including law enforcement, making it difficult to identify victims and perpetrators. Forced child labor is where the trafficker compels children to work. While some children may legally be allowed to do some forms of work, forcing or coercing children to work remains illegal.
Sex trafficking is when a trafficker uses force, fraud or coercion to make another adult or child engage in commercial sex acts. Often, the trafficker lures the victim with friendship and love but then turns to threats of serious harm, psychological harm, threats to others or debt manipulation. Specific types of sex trafficking include exchanging sex for survival (housing, food, clothing), money or gang membership.
Two specific subtypes of human trafficking include familial and online trafficking. Familial trafficking is when the perpetrator is a parent, guardian or family member who knowingly assists and benefits from a minor engaging in sexual activity for financial gain or something else of value. Online trafficking is a big concern. At any time, over 500,000 perpetrators are online luring and grooming children with the intent to exploit them sexually. Traffickers meet victims on Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, Onlyfans, Grindr, Fortnite and other apps children have access to.
Who are the perpetrators and who are being exploited? The simple answer — anyone. Perpetrators can be family members, trusted community members or strangers on social media. They can lure victims in with friendship or love and then turn manipulative. Similarly, victims can be any age, gender identity, ethnicity and socioeconomic class. Certain situations can raise the risk of becoming a victim, including home instability, history of abuse, being a runaway, isolation and/or lack of emotional support. Victims often don’t seek help because they are vulnerable, fear law enforcement or don’t identify as a victim.
Human trafficking is often hidden in plain sight. It’s important to recognize signs that someone may be a victim.
● Work conditions: Is the victim verbally or physically abused, working in unsafe conditions or excessively long hours, forced into a different job or receiving unreasonably low pay?
● Behavior or physical state: Does the victim act fearful, anxious, depressed or submissive; show signs of abuse; have a tattoo of trafficker’s “symbol”; show signs of being deprived of food, water, sleep or other necessities or of being restricted from friends, family or school?
Human trafficking will only be taken down by education! It’s important to continue learning about human trafficking, to have an open relationship with your children, know who their friends are, monitor their social media accounts, and to teach them how to recognize suspicious situations (in person and online) and how to reach out for help. Most of all, let your children know you care! Remember, love or friendship should never be manipulative. Teach your children to reach out for help if they ever feel manipulated by anyone.
If you believe someone may be a victim, call the National Human Trafficking Hotline at (888) 373-7888 or text “help” to 233733. In an emergency, call 911. All victims of human trafficking are eligible for services.
Locally, contact Hawaii Human Trafficking Reporting Line at (808) 832-1999 on Oahu or (888) 398-1188 on the Neighbor Islands. Parents and Children Together (PACT) offers services for children and adults who are victims of sex trafficking in Maui County and Oahu. For more information, contact PACT at www. PACTHawaii.org, by email at mauicst@pact hawaii.org or by phone at (808) 243-7001.
■ Kristin Mills is a public health educator with the state Department of Health’s Maui District Health Office. No Ka Oi Health is published on the fourth Thursday of every month.