How to Spot a Trafficking Victim at an Airport

Story originally published on September 30, 2014

Time Magazine has written an article on how ordinary people can assess whether a person may be a victim of human trafficking. People often envisage trafficking victims being bound in a blacked-out van, but in reality victims of human trafficking are often hidden in plain sight. Law enforcement agents are now working more closely with hotels and airlines to detect victims. For example, staff at Delta Airlines are being trained to ask specific questions during check-in, and notice if a person is carrying documents in someone else’s name or shows signs of bruising or wounds. Despite a common misconception that victims tend to be foreigners, 83% of victims of forced prostitution in the U.S. are American. 

Full account available at

http://time.com/3445807/how-to-spot-a-trafficking-victim-at-an-airport/

IOM to launch anti-human trafficking initiative with US State Department

Story originally published on October 16, 2014

A joint initiative by the International Organization for Migration, the Inter Agency Council Against Human Trafficking and the U.S. State Department hopes to counter human trafficking in Tacloban City, Philippines. The initiative, called ‘Victim Centered Counter-Trafficking Awareness in Typhoon Haiyan Affected Areas in the Visayas’, will operate for two years from October 2014 to September 2016. The goal is to raise awareness of the problem of human trafficking, as well as how to identify its victims.

Full account available at

http://www.rappler.com/bulletin-board/72198-iom-anti-human-trafficking-united-states

ICE expands reach of smartphone app designed to locate child predators and rescue their victims

Story originally published on October 7, 2014

The U.S. government has designed a smartphone application for the use of the public in the event that they spot fugitive child predators or their potential victims. Last year, the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency launched an application called 'Operation Predator app'. Within hours, government agents were able to locate a suspect. Users of the new app can receive news about wanted sex offenders, arrests and prosecutions. Members of the public can also submit tips and share information with family and friends. Since 2003, more than 10,000 people have been arrested for various crimes against children including sex trafficking, distribution of child pornography and traveling overseas for sex with a child.

Full account available at

http://www.ice.gov/news/releases/ice-expands-reach-smartphone-app-designed-locate-child-predators-and-rescue-their