Local. Again.

Another local article.  Hopefully Federal Prosecutors will be able to make the human trafficking charges stick.  This also proves that it isn't just men who traffic people.  Women, often victims at one point themselves, will engage in human trafficking.  Greed is a hungry beast...

Charge:  Tacoma woman pimped girls, 13, at doughnut shop



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Another Raid

And Seattle has the highest number of child prostitutes rescued in this most recent raid.  As the article says, it's a good thing and a bad thing.  The number - that there be more than 1 - is FAR too high BUT...we're doing something about it and THAT is something.

Take a look.  Think this wouldn't happen in your town?  Please - think again.  It is a rare town untouched by human trafficking, not the other way around.

FBI: 23 child prostitutes found in local raids

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In Our Own Backyard

In Tacoma's The News Tribune:

Boyfriend of woman charged...


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Bario-Neal Jewelry

I know on this blog I've shared several links to stories of traffickers being arrested and prosecuted, of victims being set free and of those who work tirelessly to change the world in regard to trafficking from the legal side of things.

What I don't think I've shared is anyone who is working from another aspect. Those who make and sell products using fair trade practices. Whenever I come across such a company, I am going to try to share them here, too.

Today I learned of a jewelry company, located in Philadelphia, who, to quote their website: "Bario-Neal jewelry is handcrafted in Philadelphia with reclaimed precious metals; ethically-sourced stones; and low-impact, environmentally conscious practices."

They use ethically-sourced stones. That means their diamonds* and gem stones are not mined by people (adults AND children) forced to work ridiculous hours with absolutely no consideration for safety. The stones they use aren't sold to fund wars. Read their "About + Ethical Practices" page. I hope you're as impressed as I am.

Christmas shopping, birthday gifts, anniversary presents (hint, hint, Aaron :) )... Know someone who is considering proposing to his girlfriend? Send him to this site. They have beautiful pieces from which to choose and they do custom work. How wonderful it would be to look at my hand and know, without a doubt, that my diamonds did not cause harm before ending up in my ring.

Consider your purchases, consider your choices and search for those who combat trafficking in a productive way. Bario-Neal is one of those.

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*All images from the Bario-Neal website

CNN Report

CNN report on buying and selling our children online... If you have children, watch this. If you have nieces, nephews, cousins... watch this. If you have friends who have children, watch this.

Watch this and then share it with everyone you know.

Underage sex for sale on the internet

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Human Trafficking Charges Brought

I will hopefully be able to follow this case as it proceeds through the court system. I pray the charges aren't dropped and the guilty are prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. I also pray all victims are identified and provided the assistance they will need.

Another reason for more shelters in the United States....

Indictment Accuses Firm of Exploiting Thai Workers

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Immigration Issues: Not Just the U.S.

An article from this morning's New York Times:

Immigrant Maids Flee Lives of Abuse in Kuwait


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Yet Another Example

It's wearying. Wearing. Tear you down and make you want to throw things because you can feel like no headway is being made. Now children are pimping children. What is wrong with us?

MySpace Turns Into Nightmare...

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Laws Enforced

...and the immigration issue continues. How will people react to the Federal government cracking down and using laws already in place. This crackdown will affect mostly illegal immigrants and their children. Will the outcry be as loud as Arizona?

Or will we say "finally!"? The enforcement of laws already on the books means fewer people taking advantage of those who find themselves in a no-win situation. For those who HAVE to take whatever is offered and end up tricked into something for which they never bargained.

What is your opinion?

Government Cracks Down on Farmers Who Hire Children


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In Today's News

More than 12 million are modern slaves, U.S. says

Note the statistic in the article: "The State Repartment estimates that only 0.4 percent of all modern slavery victims were identified last year." (that's a copy & paste directly from the article)

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Child Soldiers...Lost Children

Children Carry Guns for a U.S. Ally, Somalia

...and I'm trying hard to keep my opinion to myself...

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Washington State: Leading The Way Again

Washington Gets Serious About Role Of "Johns" In Juvenile Prostitution


YES!!!!!!!

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It Crosses Borders

Every day I receive an update. A snapshot. What's happening around the world in trafficking.

This morning I read an article regarding the increase Virginia is starting to see in human trafficking because DC and Maryland have started cracking down on the issue.

This article shares the opinion that Virginia is a bit behind the curve and needs to catch up.

Law enforcement doesn't know what to look for in regard to trafficking victims. An influx of immigrants means people afraid and looking to protect themselves. Traffickers love that situation - they come up with all means of coercion.

The good side to this is Virginia recognizes it has a problem and is looking at what it can do to combat trafficking.


For daily updates on trafficking, click here and subscribe.

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ABC News Article

Domestic Child Sex Trafficking Growing in the U.S.: 'I Got My Childhood Taken From Me'

This is my 100th post on this blog.

100 posts about human trafficking.

Which one will be my last?

I hope to start a series soon on vendors who are either using part of their profit to combat trafficking, are fair trade companies or both.

If there is something specific you would like to see, please leave a comment.


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Famous = Entitled?

How often do those with money pay for sex with children? How often do they specifically request children? In the underworld of the sex trade, you can basically "order up" anything you want and a trafficker can get it for you. It is sick, twisted and wrong. Do I know all of the facts of this case? No. Am I involved in prosecuting this? No. However - if it is true and L.T. paid to have sex with a 16 year old girl in the State of New York, I hope they charge her pimp with trafficking and throw everything they can at both men (in the legal sense, that is).

This abomination has to stop. Neither people nor sex are commodities. Neither should ever be for sale. Ever.

Marcia G. Yerman: Lawrence Taylor, The Media and Human Trafficking

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A Victory!

Every once in a while there is good news to report.

Breaking News Update from IJM

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Another Story...

They're never ending, I know. Although - someday I hope to say this is the last story I'll have to post.

Renton man charged in teen prostitution case

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What Do Our Children Learn?

Where did she come up with this idea? How did this young woman decide that what she was doing was ok to do or if she knew it wasn't ok decide to do it anyway? What level of desperation did she feel? What desire for the "almighty dollar" directed her thought process?

How do we change the way our young people view sex?

7-Year-Old Sex: 'They'd Kill Her If She Screamed'

The article says other residents found the 7 year old in the hallway crying. Can you imagine the images that will forever go through her mind? The pain she has endured?


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ABC New Report

A new story aired on ABC news recently.

The Sex Trade of Cambodian Children

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Apple Admits Child Labor & Sweatshop Use

It is time. It is time to start screaming at the top of our lungs that it is not acceptable to use slaves - children or adults - to make our products, harvest our food, sew or clothes. It's NOT ok. Everyone. EVERY ONE should have the right to work in a decent environment for honest pay and children should be able to go to school. Slavery is not ok. Ever.

Is Apple doing enough?

Apple Admits Child Labor & Sweatshops Used to Build iPhones

Are we doing enough? Holding companies accountable enough?

We need to do more.

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Who Do You Think You Are?

I try to avoid writing opinion pieces on this blog. This is supposed to be presenting the facts and only the facts. Tonight, though, I found my Friday evening plans cancelled and myself at home in front of the TV. What I saw compels me to write.

NBC's new show "Who Do You Think You Are" follows certain American "celebrities" around as they trace their family history.

Tonight's first episode featured Emmitt Smith, retired Dallas Cowboys running back (one of the best ever in the NFL) and winner of the coveted mirror ball trophy with partner Cheryl Burke on "Dancing with the Stars" in 2006.

His search through time for his ancestors brought him face to face with the slave trade in America and how much was lost because of greed, selfishness, heartlessness...ugliness... pure evil. He traveled from Texas to Alabama to Virginia and then to Benin, Africa. There he was put toe to toe with children who have been rescued from today's slave trade.

So much was said in that brief segment regarding modern day slavery but so much was left out, too. For instance: it was shared that many of today's trafficking victims are children. What was left out? There are more "modern day" slaves - more people enslaved right this moment - than were enslaved during the entire 400 years of the African slave trade.

While I will not, do not and under no circumstances am I to be construed as having - downplay the horrificness of the African slave trade of the 17-1800's I do want to point out that today not all slaves come from Africa. Slaves come from every country in the world, they are trafficked into every country in the world. They are every color, every ethnicity and of every background. The poor are most especially vulnerable but the middle class and even the rich fall prey to modern day traffickers.

I enjoyed tonight's show. It was wonderful to see the eyes of yet another person opened to the horror of slavery - both old and new. It was very hard to watch, though, as slavery became "personal" to someone else. It is just such an ugly, ugly, ugly part of humanity and it should never happen - and it should have never happened. Now, however, I hope this challenged Mr. Smith to step into the fray that is trafficking. Battle it. Fight to eradicate it. Fight to free those caught up in it.

Do it in the name of Mariah. From what I saw last night, she fought slavery with every weapon she had available to her.

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She is 15. He brought her to Seattle from Portland.

He trafficked her.

Charge: Runaway pimped for jewelry, rims for Cadillac

I pray they add trafficking charges to his current charge. I understand he's been charged with a felony, I just hope they give it added teeth.

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Happening in Seattle

On NPR this morning. I'm listening on KUOW 94.9.

Can Prostitution of Underage Kids in Puget Sound be Stopped?

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The Olympics

I am my own worst critic so I'm not saying a word beyond... today's story on the posters our Coalitions have been placing up and down I-5.

"No one should be allowed to sell another person"

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Only a Matter of Time

Everyone who has anything to do with human trafficking will not be surprised by anything in this article.

Imagine... trucks full of children, orphaned children - scared and hungry children. Promised food, they willingly jump in the back of a truck. To disappear.

Human Predators Stalk Haiti's Vulnerable Kids


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Predicted Sex Demand During Olympics

http://www.king5.com/news/local/Predicted-sex-demand-during-Olympics-prompts-bill-82119022.html

This story aired last night on King 5.


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Human Trafficking Awareness Day

If you are unable to attend either of the events in my previous post, please consider attending the joint meeting tonight of Seattle Against Slavery (SAS) and the Western Washington Coalition Against Human Trafficking (WWCAHT).

The meeting will be held from 6PM until 8PM at Hillel UW (go to www.seattleagainstslavery.org for more information).

Please consider attending one of today's events. Learn more about human trafficking. It is happening in your neighborhood.

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Human Trafficking Awareness Day

Monday, January 11, 2010 has been designated as Human Trafficking Awareness Day. There are several events planned, here are just a few:



MONDAY January 11th, 2010 5-7pm: Skagit Transit Center

** refreshments provided (please RSVP to: bethanyd@skagitdvsas.org)

Skagit Domestic Violence & Sexual Assault Services & Soroptomist International of Burlington Present:

Come & learn MORE about the REALITY of HUMAN TRAFFICKING on I-5 corridor & what you can do!

Presenters & Panel include:
· The Director of Washington Anti-Trafficking Response Network
· Local State Patrol Officer
· Mother of local victim
· Local Community Organizers

WCSAP approved 2 hours of sexual assault service provider training.

January 11th is Human Trafficking Awareness Day. In support, if you would like to, wear a RED SHIRT on Monday January 11th. You can also purchase a RED SHIRT for $10 with the logo, please RSVP with size & quantity.

Thank you!!!


AND:



WE NEED YOU NEXT MONDAY, JANUARY 11TH!


This is a reminder to make the worth-while trip to Olympia on Monday to come to our state's FIRST EVER Washington Human Trafficking Engagement Day!

We have invited state legislators, state officials and many others working against human trafficking and we need YOU, the grass roots force expressing the need for more work to stop human trafficking in our state! Come and show your support and solidarity simply by attending this important and momentous event in our state.

WHEN: Monday January 11,2010
TIME: Registration: 8:30-9:00 AM
Speakers: 9:00-10:00 AM
Advocacy: 10:00-11:00 AM
PLACE: The Columbia Room in the Capitol Building , Olympia , WA

(http://www.leg.wa.gov/legislature/Pages/Parking.aspx)

To RSVP and for more details, please visit: http://www.washingtonhte.com/





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