What motivated you to found the Kalamazoo Anti-Human Trafficking Coalition (KAHTC)?
It was hearing about the idea that children were being bought and sold for sex. I was mortified when I heard this. I started researching what sex trafficking is and found out a whole lot more about trafficking in general. It isn’t just children or sex it is men, women, children, non-gender identifying persons and labor and sex trafficking. That just upset me more to learn about how many different people were being exploited and it seemed like no one was doing anything about it. I then called the national human trafficking hotline number to inquire about services in Kalamazoo, there were NONE. I found that unacceptable. So, I started a community coalition to gather people together to discuss human trafficking and how we could make a difference.
What’s the KAHTC’s mission?
KAHTC’s mission is to raise awareness in and around the community about human trafficking, train those who are most likely to come in contact with a person experiencing trafficking, advocate for victim-centered legislation, and help get services established for survivors of human trafficking.
Could you mention a few of the most recent activities of the KAHTC?
January is human trafficking awareness month so we did a billboard campaign around Kalamazoo with 6 billboards for 4 weeks that feature the YWCA 24-hour crisis number along with the national hotline number.
We hosted Andy Soper from Measurable Change in Grand Rapids to help us understand trauma and how human trafficking affects the brain.
We have an awareness committee that is scheduled to meet monthly. We are a completely volunteer-based organization. This past year we lost a few members due to moves. So, we are currently trying to regroup and get more activities scheduled, but we need more volunteers.
How about the scope of human trafficking? Worldwide? USA? Michigan?
The headlines speak for themselves but not often enough. Human trafficking is getting more and more attention across the globe. Despite having a full shelter specifically for people who have experienced trafficking, Kalamazoo County has not had one human trafficking case tried. Battle Creek has had six. The state has had eighteen over-all.
The International Labor Organization (ILO) estimates there are 40.3 million trafficking victims worldwide, 81% are trapped in forced labor, 25% are children and 75% are women and girls. The ILO estimates human trafficking is a $150 billion worldwide industry. Why is this sort of abuse so lucrative?
With labor trafficking, there is a demand for cheap products and, in several countries, high levels of poverty so they are labor trafficked to make the cheap products that we buy.
With sex trafficking, there is a high demand for sex, especially with minors. Pornography is the largest business in the world. Once a victim is victimized, they are traumatized and shut down. They believe their worth is for sex.
The National Center for Missing & Exploited Children estimates one in seven runaway children were likely child sex trafficking victims. Why is there such a strong connection between runaway children and trafficking?
People are vulnerable at different times in their lives. Runaway or displaced youth have an additional vulnerability. Unfortunately, predators and perpetrators are out there looking to exploit anyone who is in a vulnerable place. The demand for sex with minors is overwhelming high.
The YWCA of Kalamazoo recently opened a shelter for victims of sex and labor trafficking. Could you tell us how the shelter is doing?
I would say fantastic. They have been full most of the time since opening with 14 beds. They serve men, women, non-gender identifying persons and people experiencing either labor or sex trafficking. It is the only facility that offers comprehensive services in the state of Michigan. Meaning therapy, shelter, case management, legal services, and more. It has several people who have experienced human trafficking working at the YWCA who understand what goes on with human trafficking.
Donations are always being accepted on behalf of the shelter. Please check their website for their needs.
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| Sara LaCroix |
That you have to be poor to be trafficked. Anyone can be trafficked it depends on your vulnerability.
That you are snatched or taken physically to be trafficked. Movies from Hollywood and social media stories have done a disservice to helping fight the crime of trafficking. Traffickers are smart and have a system for gaining control of their victims. It starts with a grooming process and gains a person's trust then it changes almost overnight. That you can leave anytime. Trafficking is a power-and-control thing by the use of force, fraud, and coercion.
Could you tell us some of the signs of human trafficking to be aware of?
There are so many signs and they are very seldom textbook. I think that’s why at times it is so hard to detect.
For children: Quiet, withdrawn, overly tired, missing school, on the flip side they may act out, be angry, disappear with different older friends for a few days at a time, doing drugs.
Adult labor trafficking: Quiet, no eye contact, not in possession of their visa, green card, id, someone speaks for them, not able to have friends, poor health, high blood pressure, bad teeth, hand and foot injuries.
Adult sex trafficking: Anxious, bruised, tired, withdrawn, angry, drugs, alcohol, more than one cell phone, sex toys, lube, condoms, pornography, uses slang terms, needs permission to do things.
What can readers do to combat human trafficking?
Get trained, be educated, mentor youth, stay involved in your child's life and if you see something call the hotline 888-373-7888. You might save a life.
Is there anything else you’d like to mention?
KAHTC started in 2012 and wouldn’t be here today if it weren’t for the volunteers that have been involved over the years. The Junior League of Kalamazoo has helped get 21 victim-centered public acts signed into law in 2015. The YWCA has stepped up and written grants to have comprehensive services for anyone who has experienced human trafficking. The Ark Shelter for runaway and homeless youth provides services to younger people who need assistance. The Sisters of Saint Joseph have been a strong supporter over the years both with volunteers and monetary support. It has been a collaborative effort to make Kalamazoo a better place. I am so grateful to everyone who comes out to learn more and who has us come and present to raise awareness.
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