Forum to raise awareness for human trafficking

MADISON HEIGHTS — Slavery still exists in America, closer to home than you may think.

Its most common form today is human trafficking, where victims are shipped and sold for purposes such as labor and sexual exploitation. It happens in communities all across the country, sometimes in plain sight, with bystanders none the wiser.

Knowing the red flags and how to intervene could save lives.

A forum on human trafficking and what you can do about it is set to take place at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, April 27, inside the council chambers at Madison Heights City Hall, 300 W. 13 Mile Road. The Madison Heights Crime Commission is organizing the event.

“The Crime Commission is trying to reinforce for the community that we are combating human trafficking within our city, and in doing so, we’re providing more information for people to help them know what to look for and how to be part of the solution,” said Sean Fleming, a member of the Madison Heights City Council. “Also, part of the event is helping tell our community what happens to the victims. Sometimes people worry that police are jailing victims, but police understand that victims are coerced into certain acts, and they don’t subject them to criminal law.”

Madison Heights Police Chief Corey Haines added, “We want our citizens and the people who visit our city to know that human trafficking happens in every city, regardless of how affluent it is. And the more information that we can get out to the public, the better they can assist us and notify (us) so that we can rescue potential victims and give them a safe haven to get away from their traffickers.”

The speakers will include Allison Mercer, who is a victim advocate with Common Ground, and Sgt. Craig White of the Madison Heights Police Department. According to White and Mercer, sex trafficking is the most common form of human trafficking seen by local law enforcement.

The Trafficking Victims Protection Act defines sex trafficking as the recruitment, harboring, transportation, provision or obtaining of a person for the purposes of a commercial sex act, in which the commercial sex act is induced by force, fraud or coercion, or in which the person induced is under 18 years of age. No force, fraud or coercion is required for any person under age 18.

Force in the context of human trafficking can take many forms, from physical assault and sexual assault to isolating the victim and confining them.

Fraud, meanwhile, can involve making false promises of a “better life” or pretending to have a romantic interest in the victim. The trafficker may gain access to the victim’s finances, withhold drugs from them if they have an existing habit, or even take documents such as the victim’s driver’s license, birth certificate, social security card or passport.

There are also psychological forms of coercion, from intimidating victims with threats of violence or humiliation, to manipulating their beliefs and worldview. Debt bondage is another way that traffickers control others.

Victims come from all races, genders, nationalities and socioeconomic backgrounds, but the most vulnerable groups are runaways and homeless individuals, those with drug dependencies and those living in unstable households. But as White and Mercer note, everyone has vulnerabilities that could be exploited.

As for the traffickers themselves, they can be anyone from friends and family to local gangs, drug trafficking organizations and adult businesses. But the motivation is usually money, with human trafficking estimated to be a $150 billion industry, making it the second most lucrative black market, behind the illegal drug trade.

Sex trafficking is often concealed as prostitution and is underreported for many reasons. White and Mercer said that survivors often fear for their own safety, or that of their family. Others may fear the criminal justice system itself, thinking they may be charged as a perpetrator. And yet others have tried to speak out, only for people not to believe them. But White and Mercer emphasized that it’s never a victimless crime, stressing that compliance is not consent.

There are warning signs that may indicate a potential victim. The person’s demeanor might be fearful or submissive. Another red flag is when a person is not allowed to speak or act freely without another person’s permission.

Clothing that is inappropriate for the weather or that appears overly sexual in nature can be another sign. If many different people and vehicles are visiting the same location as the individual, such as a residence or hotel room, it could also be a sign of trafficking.

Roslyn Grafstein, the mayor of Madison Heights, said she hopes people will attend the forum to learn more about the issue.

“Something I often hear about (human trafficking) is that it happens in plain sight, and people just don’t realize it,” Grafstein said. “So, learning the signs and what to look for, I think, is important, and recognizing someone who is potentially a victim, and what you can do to help, which doesn’t mean direct action, but who to contact and how to help. It’s a matter of recognizing who could be a victim and who could be a perpetrator, and what to do if you suspect something is up.”

If you suspect human trafficking activity, it’s best to discreetly call police. The Madison Heights Police Department can be reached by calling (248) 585-2100.