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One of the main and most important themes of my newly released contemporary suspense novel Big Green Country is that of raising awareness of the very real and present crisis that is human trafficking in Northern California, specifically as it relates to those held against their will in the underbelly of illegal Cannabis grows in the Emerald Triangle of Humboldt/Mendocino/Trinity Counties.
Not surprisingly this is a dark and difficult subject matter for people to deal with and the tendency is to stick our heads in the sand and pretend it's not happening. But, disturbingly, it is. And so the more we are aware of these dangers, especially to young women, the more we will collectively be able help prevent human trafficking hidden in our midst.
Sonoma County is not exempt from human trafficking, reports of which involve shocking numbers that are extremely challenging for local law enforcement to cope with. It takes investigators weeks even months to stake out any one of the numerous reported locations where girls especially are being put to work servicing groups and individuals who travel to and through various wine county destinations.
While it is encouraging that our community and multiple organizations are coming together to do the important work of raising awareness and establishing network programs to help those who fall into this trap escape and move forward with their lives, National Human Trafficking Awareness Day being recognized each year on January 11 continues to open important dialog.
In recognition of this specific day and throughout the month of January, Homeland Security Wear Blue Campaign hosts several special events and educational activities.
To continue to raise awareness of human trafficking, the campaign asks people to take photos of themselves, friends, family, and colleagues wearing blue clothing and share them on social media – Facebook, Twitter, Instagram – along with the #WearBlueDay hashtag. Anyone can participate, all you need is a piece of blue clothing!
Follow on Twitter @DHSBlueCampaign for more information on #WearBlueDay and National Human Trafficking Awareness Day.
Here in Sonoma County, the Commission on the Status of Women in Sonoma County works tirelessly to help raise awareness and eradicate human trafficking. Commission Chairperson Trisha Almond says this week that: "In support of our mission statement, the Sonoma County Commission on the Status of Women supports community efforts to eradicate human trafficking. This includes providing a liaison to Sonoma County's Human Trafficking Task Force - a collaborative effort among local law enforcement, prosecutors, community agencies and victim service providers to provide comprehensive services in order to discover and respond effectively to human trafficking, as well as to raise awareness. Local agencies serve to provide crisis intervention, food, shelter, transportation and trauma counseling."
Trisha, who is also President/Founder/Facilitator of non-profit Guided to Safety added: "While slavery may have been abolished over 150 years ago, there are more people in slavery today than at any other time in history."
Salvation Army's Women's Ministries also implements resources in this arena. Here's some info from the ministry's website:
What is Human Trafficking? It is modern–day slavery that involves the use of force, fraud, or coercion to obtain some type of labor or commercial sex act. Human trafficking is a hidden crime as victims rarely come forward to seek help because of language barriers, fear of the traffickers and/or fear of law enforcement.
Traffickers look for people who are susceptible for a variety of reasons, including psychological or emotional vulnerability, economic hardship, lack of a social safety net, natural disasters, or political instability. The trauma caused by the traffickers can be so great that many may not identify themselves as victims or ask for help, even in highly public settings.
Warning Signs
Signs of physical abuse such as burn marks, bruises or cuts. Deprived of food, water or medical care • Restricted communication • Too many occupants in one residence • Individuals are rarely seen outside of the residence • Unable to communicate • Shows evidence of intimidation or fear • Not allowed to socialize or attend activities and religious services • Always accompanied when outside the residence • Outside locks on doors and windows to keep people in • Lacks ID/documentation
Questions to Ask
If you suspect that someone is a victim of human trafficking the following questions are helpful in making that determination:
Can you leave your job if you want to? Can you come and go as you please? Have you or your family been threatened? What are your working and living conditions like? Where do you sleep and eat? Do you have to ask permission to eat, sleep, go to the bathroom? Are there locks on your doors or windows so you cannot get out? •Has your identification been taken away from you? Does someone prohibit you from socializing?
What Can We Do?
Take notice of young people who have a lot of unexplained absences from class or are overly tired, withdrawn, depressed or distracted and are less appropriately dressed than before. Teens who brag about having lots of money and display expensive clothes, shoes, new tattoos, older boyfriends and gang affiliation may raise a red flag. Likewise, take not if you hear of a young person bragging about wild parties and inviting others to attend. Large malls are a common grooming ground.
Educate teens not to meet up with anyone they've met online and to keep their personal information private. Encourage young people to tell someone if they are ever made to feel uncomfortable online or in public.
Pimps/traffickers are skilled in encouraging victims to engage in illegal activities to achieve their goals and dreams and making the victim feel responsible for his/her financial stability.
If you suspect someone is the victim of human trafficking, call the National Human Trafficking Resource Center: 1–888–373–7888 (a 24–hour, toll free crisis line).
