From the Website of CNN NEWS
links: http://edition.cnn.com/2015/07/08/opinions/flores-oebanda-freedom-project/index.html
How human trafficking victims can fight back
Manila, Philippines (CNN)Our
safe house for human trafficking victims in Manila was recently
attacked. The attackers threw rocks, pounded on the gates and cursed at
social workers. Despite an increased police presence in the area, the
group returned a few days later and left with 16 women who were
sheltering at the house.
"You
don't know who you're messing with. Everyone will be killed, even
babies!" the attackers yelled as they forced open the gates. They were
aided by a masked man with a gun, dressed as a police officer.
In
what seems like a coordinated attack, assailants also stormed a
government shelter in an attempt to kidnap other trafficking survivors.
Our
safe house is home to women and girls who have endured harrowing abuse
and who are fighting legal battles against traffickers. Here, we offer
them counseling, medical and legal assistance, and access to education
and skills training.
The
women and girls in our care are afraid that the attackers will come
back. It is unforgivable for trafficking survivors to be further
traumatized. We are inspired by their courage. Because of them, we
cannot and will not give up.
This brazen attack was a striking reminder that there are no piecemeal solutions to human trafficking.
Globally, more than 20 million individuals are in forced labor, according to the International Labour Organization. A United Nations report says
70% of trafficking victims are women and girls. And the traffickers are
continually innovating. They have now capitalized on high-speed
Internet access to force children to perform live sex acts in front of a
camera for a paying audience.
This
crisis can only be solved through a well-coordinated system of
prevention, protection, prosecution, and partnerships among government
agencies, civil society organizations and the private sector. Failure at
any of these stages compromises the whole process.
When
we think about fighting human trafficking, we always think of rescue
operations -- of victims being saved from brothels, bars, factories, and
plantations. In reality, this is but a small part of the work that
needs to be done.
Worldwide, forced labor generates $150 billion a year.
However, conviction rates for traffickers are low, especially in the
Philippines. Traffickers need to know that they will be punished.
Otherwise they won't stop.
But victims
cannot fight their oppressors if they are living in fear. The attacks on
safe houses are but one example of the many ways in which trafficking
survivors and the organizations that help them are harassed and
threatened. Traffickers are wealthy, organized and ready to use violence
to protect their profits. We have a duty to survivors to ensure that
they are not victimized a second time when they cooperate with us in the
fight.
If victims believe that we can
keep them safe, they are more likely to work with prosecutors and help
get traffickers convicted. Otherwise, they will walk away.
After
a harrowing ordeal, the 16 women taken from our safe house were finally
freed, but now they are refusing to cooperate with the justice system
out of fear for their safety. Fortunately, the remaining women and girls
are working with Visayan Forum and government prosecutors to strengthen
the case against the traffickers.
We
need increased protection for victims and the service providers that
assist them. Without this support, we cannot empower victims to seek
justice.
The problem doesn't end here,
however. No matter how many victims we rescue, if they are not given
access to education or job placements, they are still at risk of further
exploitation by traffickers. We have discharged women from our shelters
only to rescue them a second time from exploitative working conditions.
This revolving door of victimization points to the need for more robust
rehabilitation and reintegration programs.
Walk Free
estimates that 261,000 Filipinos are enslaved. There are no easy
solutions for the problems that contribute to this scourge. In the
Philippines, corruption, poverty and a culture of overseas labor
migration are the biggest factors.
Too
many people in the Philippines are reliant on relatives working abroad.
And that leaves already vulnerable people open to recruiters and, when
the promise of a good job turns out to be slave labor in a foreign land,
abusive employers.
While working to
dismantle these systemic problems, we also need to make vulnerable
groups aware of red flags and reporting mechanisms so they can protect
themselves and the people around them.
Over
half of the 11,500 people we housed in our shelters between 2000 and
2011 were between the ages of 13 and 22. Young people are at the highest
risk of being targeted by traffickers, who approach recent graduates
and vocational students with offers of "special scholarships" and job
opportunities.
In response, we have
built up a national youth movement against trafficking called iFight.
Together with survivors turned advocates, we visit schools across the
country to mobilize young people to play a greater role in the fight.
With close to 2 million iFighters, we are in a stronger position to
increase awareness of trafficking and demand more protection for
vulnerable people.
CNN Website
Article Links
http://www.bbc.com/travel/story/20150529-living-in-the-worlds-safest-cities
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