REDUCING THE DEMAND

The sex industry is fueled by greed. As long as traffickers can make money abusing their victims, they will continue to do it. If, however, there was no longer anyone willing to pay for the services of the victim, the traffickers would no longer make money. Demand for commercial sex, both in children and adults, is the number one driver of sex trafficking. Isn’t it logical to start there? It is simple economics. If there is no demand, there will be no sex trafficking. IHIJC is actively engaged in the fight to make our communities safe from this ever present, insatiable, demand. We have been actively collaborating with police departments, prosecutors, and legislators to protect the vulnerable in our communities. At our urging, ASW Carol Murphy introduced legislation into the NJ State Assembly to make buying sex a fourth-degree indictable crime, A3863, and together we have secured bi-partisan support, for this bill, and its sister bill in the Senate.

PREVENTION (REDUCING VULNERABILITY)

Human trafficking has been likened to a bridge in which people are lined up, and being pushed over, into a raging river. There are wonderful, courageous people jumping into the river to help them out, but wouldn’t it be so much better if we could stop them from being pushed over the edge in the first place? We do this by reducing the demand and by strengthening vulnerable population.

Traffickers are experts at recognizing and preying upon vulnerabilities. Therefore, reaching out to and strengthening vulnerable populations is a way to fight human trafficking. IHIJC is currently working on supplying school curriculum for students, providing free student/parent/staff trainings to schools, and alerting youth to the tactics of trafficking through a series of one-minute videos, currently in production. IHIJC has begun developing partnerships with other organization that mentor youth, prevent child abuse, care for the homeless, etc., in order to support the vulnerable in our communities.

RESCUE AND VICTIM ASSISTANCE

When law enforcement has been asked, “How can the public best help victims?”, their response has been, “We need a place to bring them that is safe”. When victims are rescued, they need a safe place to stay, clothes, food, counseling, education, legal assistance, practical assistance like rides and help with appointments, and much more. Survivors need to know there are loving people waiting to help them. Although IHIJC does not directly support survivors, we have directed several survivors to needed resources, given practical help, and have provided financial support for both individuals and the organizations helping them.

PARTNERING WITH LAW ENFORCEMENT

Due to the complex nature of the crime of human trafficking, perpetrators often operate unnoticed. Resources required to uncover violations can be significant. Victims aren’t likely to self-identify as a victim. Many times, victims are misidentified and treated as criminals. Training for law enforcement is essential so that officers can recognize the signs of human trafficking, can interview in a way that confirms initial suspicions, and safely separate a victim from his/her trafficker. In 2020, IHIJC began collaborating with local police departments, prosecutors, and state level agencies to provide training and to work together to develop solutions to barriers faced by police.

PROSECUTION

Prosecuting both traffickers and buyers will get them off the street, and send a strong message to others that this is a risky business. Training judges and potential jurors to understand the victim mindset, as well as providing support to victims that are willing and able to testify, will help increase the likelihood that criminals are prosecuted. Legislation that calls for stiff penalties is needed so that traffickers do not get off with a “slap on the wrist”. Currently, human trafficking is an extremely lucrative business that carries very little risk. We need to change that.

LEGISLATION

Passing legislation that protects and helps victims, provides just punishment and deterrents for traffickers and buyers of sex, and all those who profit or turn a blind eye to it, is crucial for sustainable change. As noted above, A3863 is currently under review in the NJ State Assembly, and is designed to provide just penalties that will deter the buying of sex. Additional deterrents are needed to be put into law, as well as uniform police reporting requirements for human trafficking, so that statistics can be gathered and inform our practices.

FOX29

Police: Human trafficking ring busted in New Jersey, 11 victims smuggled from Mexico

Asbury Park Press

Asbury Park duo helped run prostitution ring that used poker chips for payment, say cops

CBS

22 People Arrested In Human Trafficking Ring Bust In New Jersey

Patch.com

Massive Sex-Trafficking Crackdown Leads To Kids Rescued In NJ: FBI