Victims of human trafficking not always obvious to observers

Paul Schlup, special investigator with the Cole County prosecuting attorney's office, spoke of his first known encounter with human trafficking victims, and said he didn't recognize the situation at the time.

After the release on bond of five individuals arrested for prostitution at a massage parlor, he realized that all five arrestees were victims of human trafficking.

One, the "sitter," was the only of the five who spoke English, and she held the passports of the other four. Although her captors trusted her -- just enough -- to watch over the others, she, too, continued to be a victim of human trafficking.

The five were bonded out the same evening they were arrested, and none ever showed up for trial. Schlup said he doesn't know what happened to the women, but postulated their traffickers may have moved them to another state or out of the country or perhaps killed them out of fear of exposure.

The main purpose of Schlup's story was that the idea that these women were victims of human trafficking, rather than criminal prostitutes, never crossed his mind while they were in custody. If he had realized what was going on, he said, the women would have been moved to a facility to protect them from their traffickers.

Some indications of human trafficking include poor living and working conditions, physical abuse of victims, restriction of movement, signs of severe dependency by victims on their captors, possession of fraudulent documentation and having one person insistent on providing information to officers.

Victims of labor trafficking are often transported to and from their work sites in large groups. Sometimes they even sleep and live at the work site. They are often restricted from leaving the premises where they work or sleep.

Deb Hume, project director of Human Trafficking Resource Project, listed some causes of common health issues including "inhumane living conditions," poor sanitation, inadequate nutrition, poor personal hygiene, attacks of both physical and emotional nature and dangerous workplace conditions.

When trafficking victims sustain an injury or contracts an illness, they often remain untreated for the issue until the situation worsens, said Hume. In many cases, an unqualified individual hired by the trafficker tends to the problem when it significantly interferes with the victims' work.

In these situations, traffickers generally show no regard for control of disease, infection or contamination, Hume added.

"They don't want them to talk to a doctor" because of what the doctor may learn, she said, adding that "there's always someone else they can purchase" if one of their victims dies or becomes unable to perform the work desired.

Many prostitutes in these positions are not treated for sexually transmitted infections, said Hume, and often, a client will pay extra to not use a condom during the act, leading to further spread of the condition.

Victims are typically guarded, escorted or watched by traffickers, making them unlikely to speak when others are around.

Due to victims' perception of traffickers' power and the fear that breeds, they are unlikely to comply with requests for information.

Often, victims are simply unaware a crime is being committed against them, said Victim Service Coordinator for Centro Latino in Columbia Carrie Tyler, and feel that their current situation is better than the one from which they came.

In many situations, threats against the family of the victim are made, causing fear that paralyzes the victim from taking advantage of help when it is offered.

Local law enforcers are the police group that most commonly comes into contact with human trafficking victims, said Schlup, and in rescue of the victims and prosecution of their captors, it is important that they investigate prostitution rings and brothels; adult and child pornography; illegal operations that use the guise of massage parlors, strip clubs and escort services; domestic abuse and arranged marriages; vice raids involving immigrants; and crimes involving immigrant children with no guardians or stable living environments.

Communication with victims can be difficult for several reasons, including cultural differences, languages the victim speaks, fear the victim holds and trauma the victim has experienced, said Tyler.

She gave several tips to help in communication with human trafficking victims.

First, ask open-ended questions that give the victim the opportunity to tell their story without feeling pressure.

It helps to be versed in non-verbal communication differences between cultures.

She said that talking while at eye level with the victim is important, as is using the same words as the victim.

The victim's understanding of times and dates can be off due to several reasons, and should not be counted on to be accurate, Tyler said.

Victims may not know where they are, speak the native language of their residence, know how to contact police or have money or clothing, said Tyler.

Victims usually must be interviewed more than once, she said, adding that it is important to hold realistic expectations in this regard.

A list of questions to ask victims provided by Tyler included: Is there anything you would like to help you with? How did you get here? Where do you live, eat and sleep? Do you owe someone money? Is someone keeping your legal or travel documents? Were you threatened if you tried to leave your situation? Were you ever physically abused? What type of labor or services do you perform? For how long? Have you been paid? How much? Have you or your family been threatened? Are you allowed to leave your workplace freely? Do you have knowledge of anyone being physically hurt?

In information for police training purposes, Tyler listed some ways to make a successful interview likely.

Traffickers might be difficult to distinguish from their victims, and may have a "sitter" in the group as well.

Victims should be separated for each interview, which should be conducted in private without a uniform, badge or gun displayed.

Skilled interpreters with no connection to the traffickers are extremely important, said Tyler.

A discussion about the victim's immigration status early in the interview will likely scare the victim.

The victim should be provided with the opportunity to tell their own story, said Tyler, but interviewers should allow the subject to talk about abuse of others before they talk about the abuse they have personally suffered.

Schlup said that many victims of human trafficking come from countries with largely corrupt police forces, and, for that reason, automatically distrust police in America.

Identification of human trafficking victims, rescue and arrest of traffickers is "a long procedure," said Schlup.

"You don't just walk up and knock on the door, because if you do, they're not going to tell you if there's a victim there or not. You identify them through surveillance, undercover, those sorts of things. Watching who is coming from the house, talking to people that are trusted, whatever might be needed," he said.

People can help in the ongoing effort to find and rescue victims of human trafficking in several ways, said Schlup, including passing out information and donating money, time, phone cards and other items.

"Anybody can be involved in" helping victims, he said, but information is the best way to help.

"Human trafficking are the most difficult cases to identify, rescue, prosecute and then help out. ... The biggest problem I have in rescuing human trafficking victims is getting information," said Schlup. "People like yourself calling, coming forward and saying, 'I saw something down the street,' 'I saw something in the grocery store,' 'I saw something at the Laundromat,' 'Some guys were roofing my house and this is what I heard.'"

Contact Geoff Rands at marshallreporter@socket.net