Central Penn College fights human trafficking
Experts explain the crime, and offer tips on how to help victims, during campus roundtable
By Diane McNaughton
Special to The Knightly News
What should caring people look for to help detect, prevent and foil human trafficking?
Well, local experts say, forget what you may have seen depicted in popular movies like “Taken.”
“A victim can look like anyone,” said human trafficking survivor Justice Maddox.
Maddox offered this takeaway at a roundtable discussion held at Central Penn late last month led by Erika Wilkinson, associate vice president of student services. The panel featured four local experts on human trafficking.
The panel included the following:
- Eric Failing, PA Catholic Conference
- Lauren Perchinski, deputy Pennsylvania attorney general
- Justice Maddox, Justice House of Hope and a victim at the age of 13
- Amy Thurston, of the Hope, Inspire, Love organization
The group first defined key terms, differentiating human trafficking from smuggling.
Trafficking is usually coerced, Perchinski said, while smuggling can involve willful entry into the country. Tragically, however, smuggling can evolve into human trafficking, if the smuggler turns on the smuggled party and demands more money, which often turns into demands for sexual favors to repay the smuggler. Human trafficking can involve forced labor and sex work, with sex work affecting women and children far more frequently.
While the panelists offered common red flags to detect human trafficking, including someone having a lot of cash, multiple cell phones or branding, there are so many more subtle clues because human trafficking often occurs behind closed doors, and even within someone’s own home.
Thurston said that to make a difference, first, love your family, and second, talk to your children about this issue. Trying to put controls on cell phones is usually not enough to block trafficking and protect your children. Some victims are in search of a mother or father figure, or a significant other, which puts them at high risk for manipulation. As a result, victims may feel like they are complicit in the trafficking dynamic, which hinders their ability to report what is going on. They may also be too embarrassed or blame themselves.
Con artists
Human traffickers are often con artists who groom victims and prey on their vulnerabilities, the women panelists said. Often, the cycle of control mirrors domestic violence, as audience member Flora Armetta, a Central Penn humanities professor, noted.
The panelists also warned that some traffickers may even live in the victims’ own homes. Some people don’t know they’re being trafficked, and trafficking may start with a simple need for money. A young person may send a risqué photo, and the demands escalate from there.
Now, Failing noted, when someone in Pennsylvania is arrested for prostitution, they are checked first to see if they are being trafficked.
Many tragic cases have occurred locally, including the case of a young victim who took his own life because he sent one compromising photo of himself and then became a victim of extortion. The teen was so afraid to tell his parents what was occurring that he took his life. The panelists urged audience members to ensure that their children have more fear of traffickers than of their own parents.
When it comes to prosecution, Perchinski said she has made “he-said-she-said” cases stick, so do not fear that successful prosecution is an impossibly high hurdle to clear.
Failing noted, “It’s a cash-rich business,” so imposing financial penalties on traffickers usually does little to deter the activity. They need jail time, he said.
Where these creeps lurk
Traffickers may wait at places where people are in need—like at food banks or foster homes.
Even video games and chatting online can make children easy prey.
When someone confides in you that they are being trafficked, use your “mannequin face,” Thurston said. “Don’t judge or look shocked.”
The Pennsylvania State Police tip line and email address for reporting human trafficking, terrorism or fugitives are 1-888-292-1919 or [email protected]. Perchinski said people should make a report if they suspect trafficking, even they’re not sure it’s occurring. The state police’s website states: “You may not be contacted after submitting a tip, but every report is reviewed.”
“We need to get into the schools” to educate children, Maddox said.
Sex workers may be engaging in this activity because they need a necessity as simple as diapers. It may begin with just one racy photo or an agreement to be someone’s “arm candy.”
Thurston said we should find a champion for victims and believe them.
Also, realize that people who are rough around the edges may just be responding to trauma.
Perchinski said she often sheds tears at the horror stories she hears but never in front of victims.
“Always be an open door and an open heart for them.”
McNaughton is Central Penn’s public relations specialist and a longtime Harrisburg-area writer who has contributed work to many publications.
Comments or story idea? Contact [email protected].
Edited by Knightly News Media Club @ Central Penn College co-adviser and this blog’s editor, Professor Michael Lear-Olimpi.
