Human Trafficking:
the sexual exploitation of children
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Lycoming County Human
Trafficking Response Team
February 4, 2015
Presented By:
Mae Ling Kranz
YWCA Northcentral PA
Susan Mathias
Transitions
Human Trafficking in the US
2000 - Federal TVPA
Victims of Trafficking and Violence Prevention Act
2004 – DOJ tasks ground-level agencies to identify human trafficking
2008 – Low number of convictions identify need for stronger laws
Act 105 – Comprehensive
Human Trafficking Legislation
2014 – PA passes Act 105 , Comprehensive Human Trafficking Legislation
Act 105
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Establish Charges – 1st Degree Felony
Convicted register under Meghan’s Law
Affords victims restitution
Distributes proceeds of assets forfeiture
Law enforcement to connect victims with services
Requites data collection
Making of a Girl
"Sexual abuse has become kind of normal for you..."
Defining ‘Human Trafficking”
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Force
Fraud
Coercion
Exploitation
US Child Sex Trafficking
Physical Indicators
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Injuries – beating/weapon
Malnourishment
Tattoos or brandings
Signs of torture – cigarette
burns
Fear, anger, sadness, grief,
humor or emotionless
Social Indicators
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Youth street beginning
Child prostitution
Chronic runaways
Youth lives someone who has
“taken them in”
Not allowed to freely contact
friends or family
Truancy or not enrolled in school
Who are traffickers?
Potential Human Traffickers:
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Parents, guardians
Family members
Boyfriends/husbands
Pimps and other acquaintances
Men and women
Smugglers
Drug dealers
Gang members
Employers and agencies –
adoption, job placement,
modeling, etc.
PAATH & PAATH15
PA Alliance Against Trafficking Humans
Locations where truckers saw someone trading sex
Suspected a Second Person Involved
Operation Precious Cargo
How a response team works
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Patrol
Vice
Juvenile probation
Sex Crimes Units
CYF Case workers
Sexual Assault Nurse
Examiners
• Homicide Detectives
Human Trafficking
response Team Members
• PA State Police
• County Detectives
• Local Detectives
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Advocate
C&Y Case Worker
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District Attorney
Federal Agencies
How can you help?
Education - Dispel myths - Report suspicion - Support victims
How to report – 24/7
YWCA Crisis Hotline:
1-800-326-8483
Childline:
1-800-932-0313
Polaris National Hotline:
1-888-373-7888
Group Discussion
1.What resources exist in our
community to combat human
trafficking?
2. What challenges will the effort?
3. What support can you or your
organization give to fighting human
trafficking?