Activism
What is being done Locally, Nationally, Internationally
Local Level
Florida Efforts to Combat Human Trafficking
In many areas of Florida task forces and working groups have been formed to do trainings and address human trafficking in the state. These include: Lee County Human Trafficking Task Force, Collier County Anti-Human Trafficking Task Force, Broward County Human Trafficking Working Group, Broward County Refuge Task Force, Palm Beach Refuge Task Force.
Florida State University has set up a Center for the Advancement of Human Rights. In February, 2004, it published a comprehensive needs assessment outlining ways to identify and help human trafficking persons in Florida
The Department of Health and Human Services launched a Rescue and Restore Campaign in Tampa with a press conference there on June 9, 2004.
Florida is the second largest hub of human trafficking in the U.S. However, since 1996 only 6 cases of slavery have actually been brought to federal court. One of these successful cases was U.S. V. Pompee, which required cross-agency collaboration. On March 23, 2004, a federal grand jury indicted Willie and Marie Pompee with smuggling and harboring a young Haitian girl and using her as a household servant in their south Florida home between 1996 and 1999. If convicted, the Pompees each face a prison term of up to 10 years and a fine of up to $250,000 plus restitution to the victim.
May, 2004 in Dade County, launching a grassroots outreach campaign using outreach materials aimed at trafficked persons and/or individuals that may have knowledge of them, Florida Freedom Partnership has run a U.N.-produced public service announcement on local television stations, locally-produced radio public servce announcements, and put up outdoor billboards in both Engish and Spanish.
July 16, 2004, The Bush Administration took new steps to combat human trafficking. The plan includes more funding, better coordination, and tighter laws, including comprehensive anti-trafficking state laws. The Department of Justice drafted a model anti-trafficking statue for states in an effort to foster comprehensive anti-trafficking statutes throughout the United States.
National Level
Federal Government Efforts to Combat Human Trafficking
In a fact sheet released July 16, 2004 the White House announced new initiatives the Bush administration is undertaking to combat human trafficking. These include:
-- Support for Local Anti-Trafficking Efforts in American Communities. The President announced the allocation of Department of Justice funding to support and implement local efforts to identify, rescue and restore victims of trafficking.
-- Cooperation to Combat Trafficking. The departments of Health and Human Services, Homeland Security and Justice will improve their coordination to better share information and provide benefits to victims most in need. In addition, the charter for the Human Smuggling and Trafficking Center, which took effect in July, brings together representatives from law enforcement, intelligence and diplomacy to combat alien smuggling, trafficking in persons and terrorist travel networks.
-- Comprehensive Anti-Trafficking State Laws. The Department of Justice has drafted a model anti-trafficking statue for states in an effort to foster comprehensive anti-trafficking statutes throughout the United States.
U.S. Department of State 2005 Report:
Victims of Trafficking and Violence Protection Act of 2000
See: http://www.state.gov/g/tip/rls/tiprpt/2005/
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Campaign to Rescue and Restore Victims of Human Trafficking.
For detailed information see: http://www.acf.hhs.gov/trafficking/
The U. S. Department of Justice Tackles Human Trafficking
"Trafficking is a transnational criminal enterprise. It recognizes neither boundaries nor borders. Profits from trafficking feed into the coffers of organized crime. Trafficking is fueled by other criminal activities such as document fraud, money laundering and migrant smuggling. Because trafficking cases are expansive in reach, they are among the most important matters - as well as the most labor and time-intensive matters - undertaken by the Department of Justice." (Remarks of Attorney General John Ashcroft, 2/25/03)
It is a high priority of the Department of Justice to pursue and prosecute human traffickers. Human trafficking frequently involves the trafficking of women and children for sexual exploitation, a brutal crime the Department is committed to aggressively investigating and prosecuting. Trafficking also often involves exploitation of agricultural and sweat shop workers, as well as individuals working as domestic servants.
The Thirteenth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution outlaws slavery and involuntary servitude. The Victims of Trafficking and Violence Protection Act of 2000 (VTVPA) supplements existing laws and establishes new tools and resources to combat trafficking in persons and to provide services and protections for victims. .
For more information go to: http://www.usdoj.gov/trafficking.htm
International Level
Worldwide Efforts to Combat Human Trafficking
In his address to the United Nations in 2003, President Bush announced a $50 million initiative to combat trafficking in persons. The countries receiving funding include Brazil, Cambodia, Indonesia, India, Mexico, Moldova, Sierra Leone and Tanzania.
For extensive information on promoting human rights values around the world and more information on human trafficking in the United States and throughout the world, see the Protection Project's website:
http://www.ProtectionProject.org
2005 TIP Report International Best Practices
Trafficking in Persons Report - June 3, 2005
Released by the Office to Monitor and Combat Trafficking in Persons
See:
http://www.state.gov/g/tip/rls/tiprpt/2005/46608.htm
Partnership with Guatemalan Government
In early June, 2005, Anna Rodriguez met with Ana Maria De Monteagudo, General Consul Of Guatemala We (FCAHT) will be working together with them and providing her office with training and awareness all over Florida, North and South Carolina and Atlanta . Also Ana Maria De Monteagudo wants to work with the Coalition and the Lee County Sheriff's Office in bringing awareness and education to her people in Guatemala.
