Take action against human trafficking and sexual exploitation of children

June 21, 2010

---

What is human trafficking and who are targets?

Human trafficking is the second largest and fastest growing criminal industry in the world, according to the Polaris Project. Victims are sold and trafficked for labor and the commercial sex industry. Many of those exploited are children. Some of the forms of violence traffickers use to control their victims include brutal beatings, rape, lies and deception, threats of serious harm or familial harm, and psychological abuse.

The victims of human trafficking come from all racial and ethnic groups, are both male and female, rich or poor. In the United States, nearly 300,000 children are at risk for sex trafficking and sexual exploitation. Victims have been identified in all 50 states, including Oregon.  

Please join Multnomah County Commissioner Diane McKeel and Commissioner Barbara Willer in their work to raise awareness and take action against human trafficking and sexual exploitation of children in Oregon.

Past Events

Briefing on Human Trafficking – Slideshow of the event above
July 1, 2010, 10 a.m.
Multnomah County Board of Commissioners meeting

Public Witness Event: Stop the Demand for Trafficking in Women and Children
July 10, 2010, 3 p.m.
Shemanski Park (Park Block between SW Salmon and Main in downtown Portland)

Human Trafficking Lecture Series
July 12, 2010, 6 p.m.
Kell’s Irish Pub

Briefing on Human Trafficking
July 21, 2010, 2 p.m.
Portland City Council meeting

Arts for Justice: Confronting Modern Day Slavery
July 25, 3 p.m.
South Park Blocks between SW Harrison and Montgomery

Screening of Dan Rather video “Pornland, Oregon: Child Prostitution in Portland”
July 27, 2010, 12 p.m. to 1 p.m.
Multnomah Building, First floor boardroom

Resources

Polaris Project – Polaris Project's vision is for a world without slavery. Named after the North Star that guided slaves towards freedom along the Underground Railroad, Polaris Project has been providing a comprehensive approach to combating human trafficking and modern-day slavery since 2002.

OATH – Oregonians Against Trafficking Humans (OATH) is the volunteer awareness and education branch of the Oregon Human Trafficking Task Force.  OATH’s goal is to promote awareness and understanding of the true cost of human trafficking through education and outreach by dedicated, energetic, and motivated volunteers.

Videos – View Dan Rather’s article and a portion of the video “Pornland, Oregon: Child Prostitution in Portland” and Playground, a documentary on the abuse and sexual exploitation of children.

U.S. Secretary of State Trafficking in Persons Report 2010 – The U.S. Secretary of State has released the Trafficking in Persons (TIP) Report in which efforts undertaken by the United States to combat human trafficking are examined.

Training opportunities – Oregon Human Trafficking Taskforce (OHTTF) offers basic training seminars in human trafficking that vary in length and format, depending on the needs of the host organization. For more information e-mail: oregonoath@mcso.us.

Posters and materials – Please print and post information to help raise awareness.

Oregon HB 3623 – Passed in February 2010, requires Oregon Liquor Control Commission to include informational materials regarding human trafficking with certain license renewal notices, if materials are supplied by nonprofit organization.

US Senate Bill 2925 – Currently in the U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee. A companion bill is to be released in the US House of Representatives soon. The bill authorizes the award of one-year block grants to up to six state or local governments that have significant sex trafficking to combat such trafficking. Grant funds must be used to provide shelter and services to victims of sex trafficking and for training for law enforcement and social service providers. The bill will also implement changes to the National Crime Information Center (NCIC) to identify endangered juveniles. Read the full bill here.

How you can help

• Tell 5 people (download sample e-mail)
• Join or form a local chapter of OATH
• Host a training at your school, workplace, place of worship. Call the Oregon Human Trafficking Hotline at (503) 251-2479 for more information.
• Report suspected cases to the national hotline: National Human Trafficking Resource Center. 1-888-3737-888 (English and Spanish, 24/7)
• Donate to Oregon Sexual Assault Resource Center (SARC): Donations can be earmarked specifically for SARC's commercially and sexually exploited youth who are in need of a variety of emergency and supportive services.