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News
A look inside of Baltimore's effort to combat human trafficking using a single 'Blue Dot'
Latin America’s most powerful new gang built a human-trafficking empire
By the time Venezuela’s army poured into Tocorón prison, on September 20th, its target had already escaped. For more than a decade Héctor Guerrero Flores, better known as Niño Guerrero, ran Tren de Aragua, the country’s largest gang, from his cell. Mr Guerrero left behind a prison with all the hallmarks of a narco-lair: restaurants and bars, a casino, a baseball ground and a small zoo.
Trafficked to Europe for sex: A survivor’s escape story
Every year thousands of women are trafficked to European cities and put to work having sex with men. Jewel, a young Nigerian who had expected to become a carer, eventually managed to escape thanks to two chance meetings.
“I just saw light. It’s very often dark where I come from because there’s no electricity… But everything here was just blinking – it was very beautiful.”
UN calls for urgent action against human trafficking
Every year thousands of women are trafficked to European cities and put to work having sex with men. Jewel, a young Nigerian who had expected to become a carer, eventually managed to escape thanks to two chance meetings.
“I just saw light. It’s very often dark where I come from because there’s no electricity… But everything here was just blinking – it was very beautiful.”
BI bares 'ridiculous' stories of human trafficking victims
Human trafficking syndicates and illegal recruiters would always come up with “ridiculous” stories for their victims to tell immigration officers so they could leave the Philippines for other countries.
But immigration officers have been trained and “are alert” to discern which “are truths from falsehoods,” the Bureau of Immigration (BI) said on Sunday, Nov. 19.
Man accused of rape and attempted human trafficking at motel in Baton Rouge
BATON ROUGE, La. (BRPROUD) — An investigation into an alleged rape at a motel on Siegen Lane by the East Baton Rouge Sheriff’s Office ended with Brian Moore, 24, of Texas behind bars. Detectives initiated their investigation on Thursday, Oct. 12. On the day before, a 20-year-old woman joined Moore and a friend of hers on a trip to Baton Rouge from Beaumont, Tx.
LA human trafficking operation rescues more than 80 victims
MIAMI (AP) — The debate over whether to deter or accommodate minors arriving at the U.S.-Mexico border without their parents has pitted Florida’s Catholic governor against the state’s highest-ranking Roman Catholic.
The Archbishop of Miami, Thomas Wenski, and other faith leaders have implored the governor to reconsider an order that suspends renewals of state licenses for shelters that house unaccompanied children, saying these young migrants are vulnerable. The governor says he wants to deter human trafficking and accuses the Biden administration of being lax in cracking down on illegal immigration.
Stacey Abrams’ Brother-in-Law Faces Judge in Hearing For Human Trafficking Arrest, Accusations of Attacking Teenage Girl in Hotel Room
Garnder was given a total bond of $500,000 during his court appearance Saturday morning, News Channel 8 reported. His wife, Georgia Federal Judge Leslie Abrams Gardner, was in court that day.
Gardner was arrested after allegedly assaulting a 16-year-old who he paid to perform sexual acts, according to officials.
Migrant minors dispute pits Florida against Catholic Church
MIAMI (AP) — The debate over whether to deter or accommodate minors arriving at the U.S.-Mexico border without their parents has pitted Florida’s Catholic governor against the state’s highest-ranking Roman Catholic.
The Archbishop of Miami, Thomas Wenski, and other faith leaders have implored the governor to reconsider an order that suspends renewals of state licenses for shelters that house unaccompanied children, saying these young migrants are vulnerable. The governor says he wants to deter human trafficking and accuses the Biden administration of being lax in cracking down on illegal immigration.
Human trafficking case sparks government response in China
TAIPEI, Taiwan (AP) — Sustained, palpable anger in China over the case of a mother of eight found chained inside a shed has prompted an unusually strong government response to human trafficking at the annual session of China’s rubber-stamp legislature.
The issue even merited a brief mention by China’s premier Li Keqiang in his annual report on government performance delivered Saturday. That marked part of a direct attempt by a government not often given to responding to public pressure to address the widespread outrage.
2 killed as Greek police chase stolen car carrying migrants
LOS ANGELES (AP) — Naasón Joaquín García, the leader of Mexican megachurch La Luz del Mundo, who had been facing child rape and other charges, admitted just days before trial that he sexually abused three girls, California state prosecutors said.
García, 53, pleaded guilty Friday in Los Angeles Superior Court to two counts of forcible oral copulation involving minors and one count of a lewd act upon a child who was 15. He had faced jury selection Monday in his trial on charges that included child rape and human trafficking to produce child pornography.
Iowa teen who killed rapist sentenced, ordered to pay $150K
A teenage human trafficking victim who was initially charged with first-degree murder after she stabbed her accused rapist to death was sentenced Tuesday in an Iowa court to five years of closely supervised probation and ordered to pay $150,000 restitution to the man’s family.
Pieper Lewis, 17, was sentenced Tuesday after she pleaded last year to involuntary manslaughter and willful injury in the June 2020 killing of 37-year-old Zachary Brooks of Des Moines. Both charges were punishable by up to 10 years in prison.
UN renews ship inspections off Libya for smuggled migrants
UNITED NATIONS (AP) — The U.N. Security Council voted unanimously Thursday to authorize for another year the inspection of vessels off the coast of Libya suspected of smuggling migrants or engaging in human trafficking from the North African nation.
The resolution reaffirms the need to end the proliferation of smuggling operations in the Mediterranean Sea, which U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said in his latest report remains “among the deadliest routes for refugees and migrants trying to reach Europe.”
Man accused of vicious sex trafficking pleads not guilty
SEATTLE (AP) — A defendant accused of vicious sex-trafficking in Seattle pleaded not guilty Thursday in a case that came to light after prosecutors say a 20-year-old woman was rescued by a ride-share driver who engaged in a gunfight with the man.
Winston Burt, 30, who uses the street name “Dice Capone,” appeared in King County Superior Court and was ordered to remain held on $750,000 bail for charges that include human trafficking, promoting prostitution, assault and drive-by shooting. The U.S. attorney’s office in Seattle is also reviewing the case for potential federal charges.
Romanian court rules to hold Andrew Tate for 30 more days
BUCHAREST, Romania (AP) — A court in Romania’s capital agreed Tuesday to extend social media influencer Andrew Tate’s detention on suspicion of organized crime and human trafficking by another 30 days, an official said.
Tate, 36, a British-U.S. citizen known for misogynistic views who has 5.1 million Twitter followers, was arrested Dec. 29 when authorities descended on his property north of Bucharest. His brother, Tristan, and two Romanian women also are in custody in the same case. None of the four has been formally charged.
Kentucky Senate OKs bill to expand address confidentiality
FRANKFORT, Ky. (AP) — The Kentucky Senate voted Wednesday to broaden an address confidentiality program intended to protect domestic violence victims from their abusers.
The measure would build on a limited, little-used program that now can shield victims’ home addresses from voter rolls. If the bill becomes law, the program would be expanded to mask their addresses on other publicly available government records.
Funds to provide housing for human trafficking survivors
FRANKFORT, Ky. (AP) — A housing assistance program for survivors of human trafficking will be developed in southeastern Kentucky with a federal grant, officials said.
The U.S. Justice Department awarded the $600,000 grant for a short-term housing program that will help trafficking survivors in Bell, Clay, Harlan, Jackson, Knox, Laurel, Rockcastle, and Whitley counties, Kentucky Attorney General Daniel Cameron said Friday in a statement.
Kentucky lawyer sentenced on human trafficking charges
FLORENCE, Ky. (AP) — A Kentucky attorney has been sentenced on human trafficking charges after he was implicated in a former judge’s criminal case.
Robert L. Poole, 53, of Florence, was sentenced Friday to eight years in prison, which was probated for five years with conditions, according to a statement from Kentucky Attorney General Daniel Cameron’s office. Poole pleaded guilty in October to five counts of promoting human trafficking for commercial sex activity in Kenton County.
Longtime Iowa businessman sentenced in sex trafficking case
COUNCIL BLUFFS, Iowa (AP) — A longtime Iowa business owner convicted of using his diner in sex trafficking and drug crimes has been sentenced to 30 years in federal prison.
Hershal James Ratliff, 71, of Council Bluffs, was sentenced Thursday after being found guilty in July of six counts of human trafficking and one count of distribution of a controlled substance to a minor.
Council Bluff
Authorities say mother sex trafficked slain child
PHENIX CITY, Ala. (AP) — Alabama law enforcement officials claim a Georgia woman charged in her 5-year-old daughter’s death had accepted payment to let a man have sex with the child.
An arrest warrant included in court records claim Kristy Siple agreed to accept payment from someone “for having sexual intercourse and sodomy with her minor child.” Authorities arrested Siple this week and charged her with murder and human trafficking in connection with the death of her daughter.
It was not clear from court records if she has an attorney who could speak on her behalf.
Mexico holds ex-political boss in sex recruiting scandal
MEXICO CITY (AP) — Prosecutors in Mexico City said Tuesday a judge has ordered a former political boss held in jail pending trial on sex-trafficking charges.
Cuauhtémoc Gutiérrez is the former Mexico City leader of the Institutional Revolutionary Party, which ruled Mexico for most of the 20th century.
Gutierrez resigned in 2014 following reports that his office hired women to have sex with him and placed them on party payrolls.
Portugal lets in Moroccan workers, hopes to stop traffickers
LISBON, Portugal (AP) — Portugal and Morocco signed an agreement Wednesday setting out legal guidelines for Moroccans to live and work in the European Union country, as part of an effort by the two countries to fight illegal migration and human trafficking.
The deal came after fears that undocumented migrants seeking a way into the EU were increasingly targeting Portugal, as boats carrying African migrants from Morocco arrived in recent years on the southern Portuguese coast.
Spanish police break up Chinese prostitution ring after tip
MADRID (AP) — Spanish police have broken up a human trafficking ring that forced Chinese women into prostitution in Spain.
The gang approached the women in China and promised them well-paying jobs in Europe, Police Commissioner Carlos Rio-Miranda Iglesias said Tuesday.
Each woman paid the gang between 8,000 and 10,000 euros ($9,100-$11,400). After being flown to Spain, however, they were told they had a debt to the gang, held in unhygienic conditions in apartments and forced to work as prostitutes 24 hours a day, Rio-Miranda Iglesias told a press conference.
More services needed for trafficking victims
LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Nebraska Attorney General Doug Peterson said Tuesday that he’d like like to see more serivces provided for human trafficking victims to help them resume a normal life.
Peterson said he sees a need for more specially trained foster parents who are willing to accept youths who have been trafficked. He said the Nebraska should also increase its focus on “basic life counseling,” such as help finding a job.
Peterson’s comments came at a press conference with Gov. Pete Ricketts, who proclaimed January as Human Trafficking Awareness Month.
Biden Signs Executive Order Targeted at Curbing Human Trafficking, Crime on Native Lands
On Monday, President Joe Biden signed an executive order aimed at curbing human trafficking and crime on Native lands.
The Native American communities’ violent crimes rate is more than double the national average, according to The Associated Press. The executive order, signed at a White House summit of tribal nations, the first since 2016, tasks the Justice, Homeland Security, and Interior Departments with working together to combat the issues. The summit is a two-day event with leaders from over 570 tribes in the U.S. attending, ABC News reported.
Abuse support fight 'like being controlled again', say CSE victims
For more than 10 years, victims of modern slavery and sex trafficking in the UK have been able to apply for government support to help them survive their ordeals. But some women say the system is so complex to navigate it has left them feeling “like being controlled again”.
The BBC spoke to two survivors of child sexual exploitation about their long struggle for support.
CVSA plans new human trafficking initiative for early 2022
Next year, a new three-day initiative targeting human trafficking is planned in the U.S. and Canada by the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance.
The Human Trafficking Awareness Initiative is planned for Jan. 11-13 in the U.S. and for Feb. 22-24 in Canada, according to a news release from the CVSA. The initiatives are scheduled to start on the Human Trafficking Awareness Day in each country.
In this talk, Kanani Titchen M.D. reveals her experiences as a physician whose interactions with trafficked patients opened her eyes to a parallel world previously unseen.
Venezuelan migrants fall into modern slavery through social networks
The Human Rights Center of the Andrés Bello Catholic University (CDH-Ucab) revealed in its most recent report that Venezuelan migrants and refugees are victims of forced labor, prostitution and incorporation into smuggling or drug trafficking networks in Latin American countries. Women, children and adolescents are the most vulnerable groups
EU Anti-Trafficking Day
EU Anti-Trafficking Day is an annual awareness campaign held on October 18. Established by the Council of Europe, it aims to raise public awareness of the global problem of human trafficking, as well as to emphasize the right of all human trafficking victims to justice and compensation.
Some people think that slavery is a thing of the past, that it went extinct as soon as it was abolished. Sadly, they are wrong. Although it is indeed illegal in modern world, there are a lot of forms of contemporary slavery, including child labor, child soldiers, forced marriage, forced prostitution, sexual slavery, human trafficking, and others.
21 years for sex trafficking
A new study released on Thursday by the UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) illustrates the devastating impact of COVID-19 on victims and survivors of human trafficking and highlights the increased targeting and exploitation of children during the course of the pandemic.
The study further assesses how frontline organizations responded to the challenges posed and continued to deliver essential services, despite restrictions across and within national borders.
Online prey
A new study released on Thursday by the UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) illustrates the devastating impact of COVID-19 on victims and survivors of human trafficking and highlights the increased targeting and exploitation of children during the course of the pandemic.
The study further assesses how frontline organizations responded to the challenges posed and continued to deliver essential services, despite restrictions across and within national borders.
195 arrested
Interpol says police in Africa and Europe arrested 195 people and rescued nearly 500 victims of human trafficking in a vast crackdown on criminal networks led by the France-based international law enforcement agency
PARIS — Interpol says police in Africa and Europe arrested 195 people and rescued nearly 500 victims of human trafficking in a vast crackdown on criminal networks led by the France-based international law enforcement agency.
Partners
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“Human trafficking is the intentional forcing of another into slavery.””
Asa Don Brown