Thursday, April 7, 2011

Global human trafficking roundup (April 7, 2011)

NORTH AMERICA

Oregon: A sex trafficking survivor shares her story to raise awareness of sex trafficking. She was kidnapped when she was 19 years old and forced into prostitution in sports events and conventions. Her trafficker threatened not to tell the family and forced her to call them and tell them that she was fine so that her family member would not file a missing person's report. She finally had the courage to escape her pimp after seeing another victim being assaulted by her pimp.

Missouri: Missouri Senate gives the first approval to legislation to strengthen anti-human trafficking effort. The bill increases the criminal penalties for human trafficking, slavery, and some child sex crimes. It also allows the victims to be entitled to restitution damages by filing a lawsuit against the exploiter.

Nevada: Witnesses said that Nevada is a haven for sex traffickers. Last Wednesday, the hearing for a new sex trafficking bill was held in Assembly. Because of the legal prostitution in some parts of Nevada, young girls and boys are forced into prostitution.

New York: A man and his two associates are facing multiple charges after holding a 17 year old. The charges are endangering welfare of a child, human trafficking for purpose of prostitution, promotion of prostitution, and assault. After leaving her house to visit her relatives in New York, the girl stayed with one of the suspects for eight days.

Texas: A sexual assault nurse talks about her experience with sex trafficking victims. Many girls are from foreign countries who come to the United States with dreams and hope for the better life. The nurse is required to give HIV, STD, and pregnancy test. The victims share their stories in exchange of the services they receive. Many of them are not even allowed to use protection but forced into prostitution and rape for multiple times.

EUROPE

Cyprus: Minister of the Interior Neoclis insisted that progress has made to combat human trafficking but much needs to be done. Recent report shows that thousands of women are still trafficked from developing countries to Cyprus and forced into prostitution despite the government increased its effort to combat human trafficking. Seven years ago, one report said that more than 2000 women passed through Cyprus annually and forced into prostitution in Europe and Arab countries.

ASIA

The Philippines: The president in the Philippines increases the effort to combat human trafficking. Since June, 2010, the authority made 26 convictions of human trafficking cases, much higher number than the previous years.



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