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

Giggling while Waiting at the DMV

Well another 4 years has past and it is time for me to stand in line and renew my drivers license. Before working on the issue of human trafficking I would have considered this a huge burden that I would really not enjoy doing.

When working with victims of trafficking one of the most difficult problems to overcome is establishing identification. This is a hurdle that affects all aspects of a trafficked victim's life. In fact, a lack of identification is often one of the most powerful chains a trafficker has to keep the victim in bondage the victim and isolated within society.

Without identification, a person cannot get a job, rent an apartment, open a bank account, and may be arrested until their identity is proven. A victim without ID is at the mercy and often exploitation of others to exist.

Immigrant victims are subject to arrest and deportation.We have seen many US citizens exploited due to lack of ID as well. One of our cases has a woman who was 26 years old. She had been sold into the sex trade at 13. She had never had an ID or social security number. Her parent was the one that sold her. So when trying to establish her identity she needed a copy of her birth certificate. To get a birth certificate you need an ID, normally a parent with ID could get a copy however in this case that was not possible. So you can see the vicious cycle a victim becomes trapped in. We were able to get her ID but it took a team of very knowledgeable people.

So every four years when it is time to renew my license I smile while waiting in line and giggle at how fun it is to renew my license and all the privileges that go with it.

Tune in each Thursday 1pm ET, 12pm CT to TRAFFICKED on Here Women Talk

Listen LIVE: http://herewomentalk.com

It has been one year since "Lisbeth" was rescued -- hear from her on TRAFFICKED

Subject line: Dottie Laster and Team Rescue Teen From Human Sex Trafficking

Join us Thursday, September 15^th at 1 pm EST, on HereWomenTalk’s show TRAFFICKED with Dottie Laster as we reunite a U.S. teen rescued from sex trafficking with the team who rescued her one year ago.

I encourage you to listen live at www.herewomentalk.com—click the play button to launch the player.

Case Background

One year ago, Dottie Laster, host of the internet radio show TRAFFICKED on the women's social network, HereWomenTalk, received a private chat from a distressed U.S. teen who had allegedly been held for more than two years by a captor who forced her to have sex with him, dance in a strip club and perform in porn films.

Reportedly, she has been trafficked for sex throughout most of her life. The horrors told by this young woman of her life would shock anyone.

Laster, in Texas, and her team, which comprised of P.I. Vicki Siedow in California (founder of FLIP--Female Legal & Investigative Professionals), P.I. Jennifer Kieseling in New Jersey, and Kay Van Hoesen in South Carolina, founder of HereWomenTalk, quickly verified the important details and sprang into action.

Within 24 hours the teen, now called Lisbeth, was rescued from her captors by these women and placed in a safe and secure facility where she is receiving necessary treatment. "These situations exist all over the world," said Laster who has devoted her life to global awareness of human slavery.

There will be a live Q & A chat on the show, and we invite you to participate. If you would like to speak with Dottie or Kay directly, please contact Joshua Plant at Joshua@plantpr.com.

Thank you kindly,

Joshua

Purchase Freedom- at Wimberly, Texas event October 8,2011

Contact:  Kami Turner

210 262-6564

Email imagine@gvtc.com

Imagine . . .A Fair Trade Craft Gallery

101 Henson St., Wimberley, TX  78676

IMAGINE . . .A FAIR TRADE CRAFT GALLERY HOSTS GATHERING TO HELP ABILENE BASED ETERNAL THREADS EMPOWER POOR AND EXPLOITED WOMEN THROUGHOUT THE WORLD.

On Saturday, October 8., 2011 from 10am-7pm, Imagine Will Showcase Fair Trade Products from Twelve Countries, and Host Speakers Addressing the Work Being Done to Combat Poverty and Exploitation.

Eternal Threads is a non-profit organization, established in 2000, and dedicated to improving the lives of women and children most at risk of extreme poverty, trafficking and other forms of exploitation.  Eternal Threads provides sustainable livelihoods through income generating projects that directly pay a fair and living wage.  Additionally, the proceeds from sales help fund vocational training, anti-trafficking border units and literacy programs.

In addition to this unique shopping experience, we will have a speaker to present information about the Red Thread Movement, which was co-founded by Eternal Threads to generate awareness of the global human rights crime of sexual slavery, raise financial support for efforts to end sex trafficking in Nepal, and educate girls in Nepal to actively prevent sex trafficking on the front lines. 

We will also hear from Dottie Laster, an expert on the human trafficking problem right here in Texas.  Laster started Laster Global Consulting to train and consult those combating this fast growing crime.  She also serves as the Trafficking Coordinator for The Bernardo Kohler Foundation and hosts the Internet radio talk show Trafficked on Here Women Talk Radio. She was appointed to the U. S. Attorney's Human Trafficking Rescue Alliance, and as a part of this task force, has trained over 5,000 police officers on the issue of Human Trafficking. 

Between speakers we will have live music, snacks, and more fair trade shopping!  Come browse the beautiful handcrafted items made by skilled artisans in these exotic countries. Hand-crocheted totes and lace from India; hand-loomed silk scarves and shawls, handmade paper, and engaging raffia items from Madagascar; hand-knitted woolen items and jewelry from Nepal; beautifully hand-crafted jewelry using semi-precious stones from Afghanistan and Thailand, and much, much more from Ghana, Uganda, Nigeria, Mongolia, Peru, Bulgaria and the Philippines.

With your Eternal Threads purchase, you not only possess a quality item that you will treasure. You also give a gift of hope to a woman in the developing world. Join us in “weaving hope and justice” into the lives of hundreds of families. Your single purchase really does make a difference. 

Visit Eternal Threads website at www.eternalthreads.org, www.redthreadmovement.org, and www.lasterglobal.com for more information about this event, or to schedule an interview, please contact Kami Turner at 210 262-6564.

When the Missing are Prostitutes...

Ms. Magazine Blog  -- This is a story about the Long Island murder case written by Caroline Heldman

Human Trafficking radio show

Listen

Here Women Talk and Act

Kay Van Hoesen, founder of Here Women Talk Radio was unaware that slavery has
exploded into becoming the second largest global crime until she heard Dottie Laster
speak on the Vicki Childs, PI Show. After hearing the staggering depth of the issue,
Kay proposed that Dottie launch TRAFFICKED, a weekly radio program airing Thursdays
at 1:00 EST pm/10:00 am PST/6:00 pm GMT as a forum for discussing events, solutions
and resources for those who want to halt modern slavery.

Trafficked has succeeded in meeting this mission and schedules two discussions each week: one concerning the international scope of human trafficking, the other on developments in the United States. Here Women Talk also provides interactive features for activists and students who can access weekly discussions through a Chat room, call-in at 646-652-2071, or the TRAFFICKEDSocial Site.

Recent listeners have heard victims like Lisbeth (click for video) call in and get
rescued from pornography and sexual slavery. They have also followed the story of
Kiki, a Thai woman coerced into prostitution who overcame the opposition of her
pimp, the police and FBI.
Find out what this week’s topics are at www.herewomentalk.com ; call to listen or
comment at 646-652-2071 (USA) – or to access Archived shows.

Dottie Laster is an expert in the field of human trafficking, She has been trained by the US Department of Justice to train law enforcement on the issue of human trafficking and has served victims directly since 2003. She was recently featured in the national magazine Texas Monthly in the story The Lost Girls by Mimi Swartz. Dottie has trained over 5,000 police officers to combat human trafficking. She now leads Laster Global Consulting which delivers training and consulting to businesses and organizations that combat human trafficking.Visit www.lasterglobal.com
Written By Wayne C. Dawson

TRAFFICKED with Host Dottie Laster

On August 19th at 1:00 pm Eastern TRAFFICKED will debut.

This cutting edge internet radio show will feature guests who speak about Human Trafficking in the United States and through out the world.
Spread the word- listen- call or chat in- change lives- to listen click here  Here Women Talk Radio


Join our social page and begin the discussion now click here TRAFFICKED