Human Trafficking Comes to College

"Human Trafficking Comes to College"

On Tuesday, March 5, 2014 Northwest Vista College in San Antonio, Texas hosts human trafficking expert, Dottie Laster for three class sessions at the Cyprus Campus Center, room 121-122, 3535 N. Ellison Drive, San Antonio, Texas 78251. The sessions will be held at 9:30am, 11:00am, and 2:00pm. The classes are free and open to all students, faculty, and the public. Contact Carlos Lopez by telephone at 210-486-4604 or email clopez19@alamo.edu for details.

  Human Trafficking is invading our country, and especially our college campuses.

 Raising awareness and educating the public about the dangers of human trafficking has been a mission for Dottie Laster for over 10 years. Her involvement in the movement led to the rescue and restoration of hundreds of victims from all over the country who would still be living in bondage in the commercial sex industry, labor servitude, and modern day slavery.

 Laster is the co-founder of the San Antonio, Texas, Coalition Against Human Trafficking and the past Administrator of the Orange County, California, Human Trafficking Task Force and has successfully written millions in grants to assist children and victims of human trafficking. Currently, she is the Anti-Trafficking Coordinator with the Bernardo Kohler Center as an accredited representative recognized by the Bureau of Immigration Appeals to practice immigration law under BKC.

Laster says, "I've seen a marked increase in trafficking on college campuses and high schools and I'm often contacted by distraught family members for help. While working on these cases I see that more frequently victims are being lured from stable homes, those who are doing well academically, and not necessarily  from the marginalized population that most think of as potential victims."

Dottie Laster and Laster Global Consulting provide project development, consultancy, and training resources in domestic and international trafficking. The strong multi-disciplinary team has an established track record of helping victims of trafficking and developing anti-trafficking programs with law enforcement, universities, faith-based, and non-profit organizations. Laster is featured in the documentary on sex trafficking in Latin bars and cantinas, The Cantinera, and her direct rescue work will be the subject of the television show,  Project Red Light. She is the recipient of several human rights awards and has been featured in numerous publications including recent issues of Texas Monthly, Town Hall, and MORE Magazine. 

 Coming full circle, Dottie Laster hopes to be the inspiration to those who hear her speak passionately about ending human trafficking, just as she was inspired years ago in a college class as a student. Northwest Vista College welcomes the opportunity to bring awareness about important issues like human trafficking to, not only students and faculty, but to the citizens of San Antonio during 2014 International Women's Month. For detailed information about the event, contact Carlos Lopez by telephone at 210-486-4604 or email clopez19@alamo.edu.

 

Human Trafficking Comes to College

10 years of protecting victims under the Trafficking Victims Protection Act-

I began working on the issue of human trafficking in 2003. At that time little was understood about this crime and all its complex schemes. Now in the tenth year since I have worked on this issue and 13 years after the first laws to protect victims were passed these has been much learned.

First, the Trafficking Victims Protection Act is a solid and well written law. However it is often not used because many do not clearly understand it or have not been trained on it. In the 10 years I have used it to help victims, each time when the law is used correctly, it has helped the victims and clearly identified the traffickers. The problem is that traffickers use various schemes to operate openly, in plain sight, and many who do not work on trafficking daily may miss opportunities. However I am seeing more and more cases that are netting significant punishments in criminal courts and civil courts. This is hopeful, however, that should be thousands of cases, not just the handfuls we are seeing now. 

All the cases are important to progress and will pave the way for more suits in the future. We must bring attention to the successes as they happen and keep sharing them with others. I am hopeful that more prosecutors and civil trial attorneys will use these laws and demonstrate how strong the laws are to protect victims and punish traffickers. It is my hope that soon anyone convicted of pimping, or charges related to exploited labor, would also be convicted of sex trafficking and sentenced accordingly.

When this law is used appropriately and to its fullest extent the community becomes safer for victims and more unwelcoming for traffickers.

Actions EVERYONE can take to make this law used more often are:

• Share this blog- the TVPA is hyperlinked above- 
• Learn about cases in your area by visiting Global Incident Map . 
• Write opinion pieces for your local papers or trade organizations about 500-750 words is appropriate 
• Blog- please share cases that have been prosecuted and show successful outcomes so more people will expect the TPVA to be used 
• Make sure all around you know that ANY MINOR IN COMMERCIAL SEX (stripping, pornography or prostitution) is a victim of sex trafficking 
• Follow me on Facebook and LinkedIN@Dottie Laster, on Twitter @TRAFFCKED- we share stories and current events here- please post and share to your contacts 
• Host a public awareness event, workshop or training by contacting Delilah@imaginepubicity.com or 843-808-0859
• Individual consultations may be referred to Laster Global Consulting

Kansas Social Workers and Law Enforcement Receive Human Trafficking Training

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

DCF social workers, Kansas law enforcement officials train to detect, combat human trafficking
Dozens of social workers and law enforcement personnel around Kansas recently completed training designed to further understanding of human trafficking and help prevent the modern day form of slavery.

Separate, identical classes focused on human trafficking were held in Hays, Wichita and Topeka. Kansas Department for Children and Families social workers, as well as Kansas Highway Patrol troopers, gained a broader understanding of trafficking from nationally renowned expert Dottie Laster.

“Dottie’s training is focused on the supply and demand of human trafficking. The blame does not just lie with the perpetrators who enslave and subjugate, but also with anyone who knowingly uses products or services that rely on the exploitation of others,” said DCF Secretary Phyllis Gilmore. “It’s important for social workers and law enforcement in our state to be well informed about modern-day slavery and how to rescue victims.”

Approximately 140 DCF social workers and Highway Patrol troopers attended one of the three training sessions.

"I was so honored to tour Kansas and meet such dedicated professionals who are making Kansas safe for trafficking victims, especially children, and unwelcoming for traffickers,” Dottie Laster said. “I look forward to returning next year and building on the foundation we were able to create."

Criminal traffickers use force, fraud or coercion to control and exploit their victims by forcing them into prostitution, domestic servitude or forced labor. The training emphasizes identifying and working directly with human trafficking victims. Participants learned how to recognize factors that indicate human trafficking and gained an understanding of the mindset of a victim, who may not be aware of their victimhood or feel comfortable seeking help.

"Everyone walked out with something new and a broader understanding of the problem,” said Toni Schuckman, DCF Wichita assistant regional director.

In recent years an investigation into organized crime in Houston, Texas revealed minors from Kansas who were trafficked and forced into prostitution.

Following the employee and law enforcement training, Laster delivered a human trafficking overview to educate faith-based and community leaders in Johnson County. Laster led the training overview of human trafficking awareness and facilitated a question and answer session.

“Dialogue was dynamic and the audience was engaged,” said Deputy Secretary Pilato, who also serves on the Kansas Human Trafficking Advisory Board.

Kansas statutes related to human trafficking require a prison term of 25 years to life if the victims of sex trafficking are under 14 years old. State statute also deems that even if a minor participates willingly, they are still the victim of trafficking. All who knowingly benefit from human trafficking are guilty and can be prosecuted under Kansas law.

There are an estimated 100,000 U.S. citizen children exploited in the commercial sex industry annually, according to the U.S. State Department. Cases have been investigated in all 50 states.


Contact:
Rachel Whitten
(785) 296-0537
rachel.whitten@dcf.ks.gov

Dottie Laster is available for presentations and training for organizations, churches, law enforcement and anyone interested in eradicating human slavery and trafficking. To bring Dottie to your next event, contact Laster Global Consulting or ImaginePublicity phone: 843.808.0859 email: contact@imaginepublicity.com

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