Sunday, April 19, 2015

Financial and Legal Resources for Victims of Sex Trafficking

Financial and Legal Resources for Victims of Sex Trafficking

Abolitionist William Wilberforce said, “You can choose to look the other way, but you can never say again you did not know.”




For Victims of Sex Trafficking:

 Thistle Farms

Thistle Farms employs almost 60 Magdalene residents or graduates. While working at Thistle Farms, women learn skills in manufacturing, packaging, marketing and sales, and administration. It is a supportive workplace where women acquire the skills they need to earn a living wage. Employees have the opportunity to put a percentage of their earnings in a matched savings account provided by Magdalene. Through Thistle Farms, the women of Magdalene gain much needed job skills, and learn responsibility and cooperation. Thistle Farms is housed in an 11,000 square feet sales and manufacturing facility. Thistle Stop Cafe, and the paper and sewing studios are also in the same building. We are committed to growing in order to employ more women and have greater opportunities to share our stories of healing on a larger scale. 

  Issues Affecting Women Programme (IAW)

In the Issues Affecting Women Programme (IAW), we fund two priority areas (pillars): movement building and ending violence against women. Within the first pillar, we fund initiatives that promote movement building through women's funds, "anchor” women’s organisations and networks. Within the second pillar, we focus more specifically on: human trafficking and exploitation; intra-familial violence; and violence against women that takes place in situations of crisis.

FULL-RIDE SCHOLARSHIP FOR SEX TRAFFICKING VICTIMS IN THE WORKS AT CHRISTIAN COLLEGE


Sabre sets up first-ever educational scholarship program for human trafficking survivors -

 See more at: http://www.sabre.com/newsroom/sabre-sets-up-first-ever-educational-scholarship-program-for-human-trafficking-survivors/#sthash.qssMsbwW.dpuf


University of Michigan Free Legal Services for Human Trafficking Victims:  

The HTC is the first legal clinic solely dedicated to human trafficking in the United States. It offers students at the University of Michigan Law School the opportunity to gain practical skills in the legal fields related to helping victims of human trafficking. The students in the clinic also run community outreach and education initiatives and conduct research about the state of laws relating to human trafficking. Not only do the students gain valuable advocacy skills, they have been and will continue to be instrumental in protecting victims' rights, in shaping the policy conversation, and in drafting the language used in amendments to trafficking laws.

How To Identify A Human Trafficking Victim

•     Seems anxious, fearful or paranoid.  Avoids eye contact.
•    Tearfulness or signs of depression.
•    Unexplained bruises or cuts or other signs of physical abuse.
•    Appears to be in a relationship with someone who is dominating.
•    Never is alone and/or always has someone translating or answering questions on their behalf.
•    Not in control of their own finances.
•    Presents with secrecy or unable to answer questions about where they live.
•    Inconsistent details when telling their story.
•    Has no identification such as a license, passport or other ID documents.
    Inability to leave their job or residence.  Says they cannot schedule appointments.
    Being a recent arrival to the United States and does not speak English.
    Is under 18 and providing commercial sex acts.  Or at any age unwillingly providing commercial sex acts.
    Is afraid of law enforcement or receiving help from an outside entity.

If you can find an opportunity to get he/she alone, ask him/her the following screening questions:
     Can you leave your job or house when you want?
    Where did you get those bruises or is anyone hurting you?
    Do you get paid for your employment?  Is it fair?  How many hours do you work?
    (If foreign national) How did you get to the U.S. and is it what you expected?  Are you being forced to do anything you don't want to do?
    Are you or your family being threatened?
    Do you live with or near your employer?  Does your employer provide you housing?  Are there locks on doors or windows from outside?
    Do you owe debt to anyone?

If you suspect they are a victim of human trafficking,take the following actions:
    Ask the person if you can help them find a safe place to go immediately.
     If they need time, create an action plan with them to get to a safe place when they are ready.
     Call and make a report to the human trafficking hotline at 1.888.3737.888.  The hotline has language capabilities, so any individual can call directly if they choose.




The Department of Homeland Security online training about how to spot the signs of and report suspected human trafficking:

The Department of Homeland Security's Blue Campaign is now offering online training about how to spot the signs of and report suspected human trafficking. The training is aimed at the general public, the Federal workforce, first responders, and airline employees and focuses on:
    •    Defining human trafficking
    •    Differentiating between human trafficking and human smuggling
    •    Recognizing populations vulnerable to human trafficking
    •    Recognizing indicators of human trafficking   
A glossary and additional resources also are provided. View the Human Trafficking Awareness Training on the Department of Homeland Security's website:
http://www.dhs.gov/xlibrary/training/dhs_awareness_training_fy12/launchPage.htm


Jerome Elam
Staff Writer and Columnist for Communities Digital News http://www.commdiginews.com
Read my column here:
A Heart Without Compromise; Advocating for Children:
http://www.commdiginews.com/column/a-heart-without-compromise-advocating-for-children-2/  


Follow me on Social Media:
Stories by Jerome Elam : Contently
jeromeelam.contently.com
Facebook: http://on.fb.me/199Eb93
Twitter    : @JeromeElam
Linkedin : http://linkd.in/1cQS9ve
Google+ : google.com/+JeromeElamanendtosilence
Pinterest: http://bit.ly/199GEAt
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCiV7GtIbFmSgcbsY1f47mAg
An end to silence blog by Jerome Elam :http://bit.ly/J17wWz

"The world is a dangerous place, not because of those who do evil, but because of those who look on and do nothing." - Albert Einstein

Always remember that you are never alone and that others have walked the healing path before you and are here to lift you up! Also remember that as survivors and victims, alone we may be strong but together we are unbeatable!

An End To Silence Blog is the copyrighted property of Jerome Elam. Written permission must be obtained before reprint in online or print media. REPRINTING CONTENT FROM AN END TO SILENCE BLOG OR ANY CONTENT WRITTEN BY JEROME ELAM WITHOUT PERMISSION AND/OR PAYMENT IS THEFT AND PUNISHABLE BY LAW.

Sunday, April 5, 2015

Watch the trailer for the short documentary about ending child abuse "The Silence" by the talented French Canadian actress Cleo Tellier

Watch the trailer for the short documentary about ending child abuse  "The Silence" by the talented French Canadian actress Cleo Tellier


In the darkness the cries of the innocent are lost to the silence. Forsaken by hope, the dreams of a child wither in the shadow of a lost tomorrow and are lost in the silence. There is a hope and light inside all of us that will rise up and become a flame that will burn so brightly it will break the chains of silence. If we join together in our belief that every child deserves a life of carefree happiness, our voices will rise up and bring an end to the silence from this day forward. Thank you, Cleo Tellier for being a beacon of hope and change and for uniting us all in the fight to bring an end to the silence.
Watch the trailer below for the short documentary by the talented French Canadian actress Cleo Tellier about bringing an end to all those who suffer in a prison of silence as victims and survivors of childhood sexual abuse.

The Silence (2015)


Director: Cleo Tellier



Ann, Leslie, Isabelle and Jerome were four out of the two million children who live in foster care all around the world. Before their life in foster care, they were forgotten, abused, unseen and unloved. Today, they decide to break the silence surrounding child abuse, and share their story to the world in a heartbreaking way.
Watch the trailer for "The Silence" here: 






How To Identify A Human Trafficking Victim

•     Seems anxious, fearful or paranoid.  Avoids eye contact.
•    Tearfulness or signs of depression.
•    Unexplained bruises or cuts or other signs of physical abuse.
•    Appears to be in a relationship with someone who is dominating.
•    Never is alone and/or always has someone translating or answering questions on their behalf.
•    Not in control of their own finances.
•    Presents with secrecy or unable to answer questions about where they live.
•    Inconsistent details when telling their story.
•    Has no identification such as a license, passport or other ID documents.
    Inability to leave their job or residence.  Says they cannot schedule appointments.
    Being a recent arrival to the United States and does not speak English.
    Is under 18 and providing commercial sex acts.  Or at any age unwillingly providing commercial sex acts.
    Is afraid of law enforcement or receiving help from an outside entity.

If you can find an opportunity to get he/she alone, ask him/her the following screening questions:
     Can you leave your job or house when you want?
    Where did you get those bruises or is anyone hurting you?
    Do you get paid for your employment?  Is it fair?  How many hours do you work?
    (If foreign national) How did you get to the U.S. and is it what you expected?  Are you being forced to do anything you don't want to do?
    Are you or your family being threatened?
    Do you live with or near your employer?  Does your employer provide you housing?  Are there locks on doors or windows from outside?
    Do you owe debt to anyone?

If you suspect they are a victim of human trafficking,take the following actions:
    Ask the person if you can help them find a safe place to go immediately.
     If they need time, create an action plan with them to get to a safe place when they are ready.
     Call and make a report to the human trafficking hotline at 1.888.3737.888.  The hotline has language capabilities, so any individual can call directly if they choose.




The Department of Homeland Security online training about how to spot the signs of and report suspected human trafficking:

The Department of Homeland Security's Blue Campaign is now offering online training about how to spot the signs of and report suspected human trafficking. The training is aimed at the general public, the Federal workforce, first responders, and airline employees and focuses on:
    •    Defining human trafficking
    •    Differentiating between human trafficking and human smuggling
    •    Recognizing populations vulnerable to human trafficking
    •    Recognizing indicators of human trafficking   
A glossary and additional resources also are provided. View the Human Trafficking Awareness Training on the Department of Homeland Security's website:
http://www.dhs.gov/xlibrary/training/dhs_awareness_training_fy12/launchPage.htm


Jerome Elam
Staff Writer and Columnist for Communities Digital News http://www.commdiginews.com
Read my column here:
A Heart Without Compromise; Advocating for Children:
http://www.commdiginews.com/column/a-heart-without-compromise-advocating-for-children-2/  


Follow me on Social Media:
Stories by Jerome Elam : Contently
jeromeelam.contently.com
Facebook: http://on.fb.me/199Eb93
Twitter    : @JeromeElam
Linkedin : http://linkd.in/1cQS9ve
Google+ : google.com/+JeromeElamanendtosilence
Pinterest: http://bit.ly/199GEAt
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCiV7GtIbFmSgcbsY1f47mAg
An end to silence blog by Jerome Elam :http://bit.ly/J17wWz

"The world is a dangerous place, not because of those who do evil, but because of those who look on and do nothing." - Albert Einstein

Always remember that you are never alone and that others have walked the healing path before you and are here to lift you up! Also remember that as survivors and victims, alone we may be strong but together we are unbeatable!

An End To Silence Blog is the copyrighted property of Jerome Elam. Written permission must be obtained before reprint in online or print media. REPRINTING CONTENT FROM AN END TO SILENCE BLOG OR ANY CONTENT WRITTEN BY JEROME ELAM WITHOUT PERMISSION AND/OR PAYMENT IS THEFT AND PUNISHABLE BY LAW.

The End to Child Sex Trafficking Starts with Us: End Slavery Now Guest Blog Post by Jerome Elam

The End to Child Sex Trafficking Starts with Us: End Slavery Now Guest Blog Post by Jerome Elam


I want to thank End Slavery Now for all that they do to bring hope and healing to victims and survivors of human trafficking. I also want to thank everyone at End Slavery Now including Mariah Long for allowing me to tell my story as guest on the End Slavery Now blog. . I stand here today not only as a survivor but as a living testament that there is always hope and a light inside all of us that no one can extinguish.
Regards,
Jerome Elam
Read my blog post here:
The End to Child Sex Trafficking Starts with Us
http://www.endslaverynow.org/blog/entry?title=The+End+to+Child+Sex+Trafficking+Starts+with+Us&uid=Jerome+Elam

How To Identify A Human Trafficking Victim

•     Seems anxious, fearful or paranoid.  Avoids eye contact.
•    Tearfulness or signs of depression.
•    Unexplained bruises or cuts or other signs of physical abuse.
•    Appears to be in a relationship with someone who is dominating.
•    Never is alone and/or always has someone translating or answering questions on their behalf.
•    Not in control of their own finances.
•    Presents with secrecy or unable to answer questions about where they live.
•    Inconsistent details when telling their story.
•    Has no identification such as a license, passport or other ID documents.
    Inability to leave their job or residence.  Says they cannot schedule appointments.
    Being a recent arrival to the United States and does not speak English.
    Is under 18 and providing commercial sex acts.  Or at any age unwillingly providing commercial sex acts.
    Is afraid of law enforcement or receiving help from an outside entity.

If you can find an opportunity to get he/she alone, ask him/her the following screening questions:
     Can you leave your job or house when you want?
    Where did you get those bruises or is anyone hurting you?
    Do you get paid for your employment?  Is it fair?  How many hours do you work?
    (If foreign national) How did you get to the U.S. and is it what you expected?  Are you being forced to do anything you don't want to do?
    Are you or your family being threatened?
    Do you live with or near your employer?  Does your employer provide you housing?  Are there locks on doors or windows from outside?
    Do you owe debt to anyone?

If you suspect they are a victim of human trafficking,take the following actions:
    Ask the person if you can help them find a safe place to go immediately.
     If they need time, create an action plan with them to get to a safe place when they are ready.
     Call and make a report to the human trafficking hotline at 1.888.3737.888.  The hotline has language capabilities, so any individual can call directly if they choose.




The Department of Homeland Security online training about how to spot the signs of and report suspected human trafficking:

The Department of Homeland Security's Blue Campaign is now offering online training about how to spot the signs of and report suspected human trafficking. The training is aimed at the general public, the Federal workforce, first responders, and airline employees and focuses on:
    •    Defining human trafficking
    •    Differentiating between human trafficking and human smuggling
    •    Recognizing populations vulnerable to human trafficking
    •    Recognizing indicators of human trafficking   
A glossary and additional resources also are provided. View the Human Trafficking Awareness Training on the Department of Homeland Security's website:
http://www.dhs.gov/xlibrary/training/dhs_awareness_training_fy12/launchPage.htm


Jerome Elam
Staff Writer and Columnist for Communities Digital News http://www.commdiginews.com
Read my column here:
A Heart Without Compromise; Advocating for Children:
http://www.commdiginews.com/column/a-heart-without-compromise-advocating-for-children-2/  


Follow me on Social Media:
Stories by Jerome Elam : Contently
jeromeelam.contently.com
Facebook: http://on.fb.me/199Eb93
Twitter    : @JeromeElam
Linkedin : http://linkd.in/1cQS9ve
Google+ : google.com/+JeromeElamanendtosilence
Pinterest: http://bit.ly/199GEAt
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCiV7GtIbFmSgcbsY1f47mAg
An end to silence blog by Jerome Elam :http://bit.ly/J17wWz

"The world is a dangerous place, not because of those who do evil, but because of those who look on and do nothing." - Albert Einstein

Always remember that you are never alone and that others have walked the healing path before you and are here to lift you up! Also remember that as survivors and victims, alone we may be strong but together we are unbeatable!

An End To Silence Blog is the copyrighted property of Jerome Elam. Written permission must be obtained before reprint in online or print media. REPRINTING CONTENT FROM AN END TO SILENCE BLOG OR ANY CONTENT WRITTEN BY JEROME ELAM WITHOUT PERMISSION AND/OR PAYMENT IS THEFT AND PUNISHABLE BY LAW.