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Protect the Youth in Your Life This Child Abuse Prevention Month
The statistics don’t lie: Young people are particularly vulnerable to human trafficking. In fact, of the human trafficking cases reported to the National Human Trafficking Hotline during the most recent data collection period, over 22 percent involved minors. Traffickers can reach youth anywhere, from malls and public transit centers to virtual chatrooms and social media platforms. Due to their age and lack of life experience, young people might not be equipped to make informed, sound decisions when presented with a situation that may lead to trafficking. Luckily, there are steps you can take to protect the youth in your life from this crime.
April is National Child Abuse Prevention Month. As such, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) Blue Campaign is proud to share its resources geared toward young people, people who work with youth on a consistent basis, and campus law enforcement:
Stay up to date with more helpful information related to youth by following Blue Campaign social media channels (@DHSBlueCampaign on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram).
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Blue Campaign and CCHT Co-Host Survivor Inclusion Roundtable
On Friday, March 3, 2023, the Blue Campaign and the Center for Countering Human Trafficking (CCHT) co-hosted Awareness to Action: A DHS Roundtable Conversation on Survivor Inclusion with Secretary Alejandro N. Mayorkas. This hybrid in-person and virtual roundtable brought together leading survivor advocates and counter-trafficking organizations to discuss the importance of having survivor voices implemented into DHS policies. Survivor advocates were given the opportunity to directly address DHS leadership and offer their recommendations for a holistic approach to integrating survivors in DHS efforts to combat human trafficking. The discussion proved very informative and impactful and will be the first of many events where we will convene both lived experience experts and non-governmental organization leaders.
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TRB Releases New Counter-Trafficking Guide for Airports
The Transportation Research Board (TRB) Airport Cooperative Research Program recently published its new ACRP Research Report 249 entitled “Developing an Airport Program to Address Human Trafficking: A Guide.” Building upon TRB’s research into human trafficking in the transportation industry, this guide establishes a far-reaching yet scalable process that helps airports identify and respond to potential cases of human trafficking at their facilities. The report includes resources and references that airports can use to develop tailored programs to combat human trafficking.
First-Ever DHS Awards in Countering Human Trafficking Recognize Department-wide 2022 Anti-Trafficking Achievements
On January 31, the DHS honored dedicated personnel for their achievements in countering human trafficking at an award ceremony held at the DHS St. Elizabeths campus in Washington, D.C.
Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro N. Mayorkas and DHS Center for Countering Human Trafficking Director Cardell T. Morant hosted the awards event, which was the first of its kind to specifically recognize and reward major counter-human trafficking efforts and contributions of DHS components and partner organizations. Also in attendance was Deputy Secretary John Tien, as well as leadership from ICE, CBP, TSA, and other DHS components.
After opening remarks by the Secretary, awards were presented in the following five categories:
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DHS Secretary's Award for Excellence in Endeavor in Countering Human Trafficking: Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Cleveland Forced Labor Investigations Team
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Innovation in Law Enforcement in Countering Human Trafficking: TSA Federal Air Marshal Brittany Latuch
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Excellence in Intelligence in Countering Human Trafficking: DHS Science and Technology and HSI StreamView Team
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Outstanding Engagement or Training in Countering Human Trafficking: CBP and DHS Policy Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act Implementation Teams
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Outstanding Victim Protection in Countering Human Trafficking: Birmingham Metro Child Sex Trafficking Multidisciplinary Team
Director Morant closed out the ceremony by speaking directly to award recipients, “While your achievements are uniquely your own,” he said, “We can all be proud of how your work has highlighted the best of DHS and the vital importance of DHS’s counter-trafficking mission. Your efforts reflect a level of commitment to which we can all aspire.” A recording of the ceremony can be viewed here.
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HSI Norfolk Investigation Leads to Guilty Plea in Case Involving Labor Trafficking
A Midlothian, Virginia man pled guilty in January of conspiring to defraud and commit offenses against the United States, including human trafficking of individuals from Central America, benefiting from forced labor, money laundering, and harboring undocumented non-citizens.
George William Evans, the co-owner of a commercial laundry business, participated in a conspiracy to harbor, transport, and benefit from the employment of undocumented noncitizens.
“George William Evans, like most human traffickers, took advantage of members of a vulnerable population for his own personal profit,” said Acting Special Agent in Charge Derek W. Gordon of HSI Washington, D.C., which includes Norfolk within its area of responsibility. “HSI Washington will continue to exhaust every measure available to us in order to ensure that predators like Evans cannot operate freely in our communities, preying on the people that we have sworn to protect.”
Evans owned 50 percent of a commercial laundry business called Northstar Holdings of Virginia, LLC, doing business as Magnolia Cleaning Services, LLC.
At Evans’ and his co-conspirators’ direction, the company exploited undocumented noncitizens by making them work long hours in poor working conditions. In some cases, the conspirators threatened their victims with deportation and/or physical harm to themselves or their families if they refused to work as directed.
Some undocumented employees lived in the laundry facility with no access to a kitchen or bathroom with a shower or bathtub. One employee was a child who had to work night shifts while attending school during the day.
As part of his guilty plea, Evans agreed to forfeit an amount not less than $3.9 million to the United States. His sentencing is scheduled for June 2023, where he faces a maximum penalty of five years in prison for the conspiracy offense and 10 years in prison for the money laundering offense.
This Hampton Roads Human Trafficking Task Force investigation was conducted by HSI Norfolk with significant assistance from the United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia; the U.S. Department of Labor’s Office of the Inspector General in Washington, D.C.; the Social Security Administration’s Office of the Inspector General; and the Washington Division of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service.
New Funding Opportunities Available Through the ACF
The Administration for Children and Families (ACF) is announcing funds for three human trafficking awareness and prevention programs. Program details and registration information can be found below.
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Human Trafficking Youth Prevention Education (HTYPE) Demonstration Program: The HTYPE Demonstration Program funds local education agencies (LEA) to develop and implement programs to prevent human trafficking victimization by providing skills-based human trafficking training and education for school staff and students. The LEA must work in partnership with a nonprofit or nongovernmental organization and consult with local law enforcement to develop a Human Trafficking School Safety Protocol. Application deadline: 11:59 p.m. EST on April 27, 2023. For full details, including how to apply, visit here.
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Victims of Human Trafficking in Native Communities (VHT-NC) Demonstration Program: The VHT-NC Demonstration Program funds organizations to build, expand, and sustain organizational and community capacity to deliver comprehensive services to Native American adults and children who have experienced human trafficking. The VHT-NC Demonstration Program is informed by a whole family approach that focuses equally and intentionally on services and opportunities for clients and their immediate family members living within their households. Application deadline: 11:59 p.m. EST on June 30, 2023. For full details, including how to apply, visit here.
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Domestic Victims of Human Trafficking Services and Outreach (DVHT-SO) Program: The DVHT-SO Program funds organizations to build, expand, and sustain organizational and local capacity to deliver services to U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents who have experienced human trafficking. The DVHT-SO Program is informed by a whole family approach that focuses equally and intentionally on services and opportunities for individuals who have experienced human trafficking and their immediate family members living within their households. Application deadline: 11:59 p.m. EST on June 30, 2023. For full details, including how to apply, visit here.
For more information visit the Blue Campaign
To report suspected human trafficking: 1-866-347-2423
To get help from the National Human Trafficking Hotline: 1-888-373-7888
or text HELP or INFO to BeFree (233733)
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