Issue link: http://educator.cta.org/i/994766
In extreme cases, young people die in the hands of traffickers or buyers. So it is critical for educators to become involved and educate students, parents and the community about predators." In February, Sacramento City Teachers Association President David Fisher thanked the Assembly and the governor for support- ing AB 1227. He noted media reports about several Sacramento area incidents — including the arrest of a youth soccer coach on suspicion of human trafficking, and the rescue of several underage victims by police in Roseville. "Educators are on the front lines in dealing locally with this global issue," Fisher told lawmakers. "is fight is another teach- able moment." How are youths recruited? Since the National Human Trafficking Hotline was founded in 2012, more than 5,200 cases have been reported in California, more than any other state. Because it is a hidden crime, many cases go unreported. According to a 2018 report by THORN, an international anti-trafficking organization, traffickers are increasingly relying on technology and social media to ensnare victims as young as middle school and advertise them for sex. Their survey of sex trafficking survivors shows 55 percent were recruited via texting, websites or apps. Technology also allows traffickers to keep tabs on victims around the clock and from any distance. Experiences that make youths vulnerable are foster care, home- lessness, sexual abuse, violence and bullying. Other risk factors are isolation, poverty, substance abuse, mental illness and learn- ing disabilities. LGBTQ+ youths and young people of color are more vulnerable. Most youths continue to stay in school while being sold, reports THORN. "It can happen to anybody's daughter or son, at Beverly Hills High School or college," says Stephany Powell, a former teacher and former vice sergeant with the Los Angeles Police Depart- ment, who is now executive director of Journey Out, a Los 25 J U N E / J U L Y 2 018 Easy to fall in, difficult to get out B U K I D O M I N G O S was an adult when she became a victim of human trafficking, but she knows how devastating it is for victims of any age. San Diego High School staff heard her speak at a multiday training to increase aware- ness about human trafficking of students. "People's paths are different," says Domingos, now in her 40s. "Some choose to speak about our stories, and some stay hidden and live in fear. I like to use my story to educate others and raise awareness. I may be putting myself at risk, but it's worth the sacrifice." A professional singer, she was recruited online while working as a nurse in Germany. She was asked to perform singing gigs by someone she did not realize was a human traf- ficker. Then came a whirlwind romance and she married him. "I realized it was a trap too late," says Domin- gos. "It began as human-labor trafficking and was slowly moving into sex trafficking." When she finally went to authorities, she says, they didn't believe her and told her that because she and the man were married, she was a victim of domestic violence and not trafficking. She believes her credibility was called into question because she is black and her trafficker is white. He took her passport and identification papers. She feared for the lives of her children, and he threatened her with never seeing them again if she called police. She was malnour- ished, isolated and terrified. Eventually she found the strength to take her children and leave, thanks to a nurse who reached out repeatedly to help her. She stayed in a women's shelter and reported her abuser to the authorities. "My advice to others is simple," says Domin- gos. "If something looks too good to be true, it probably is. Always do research on people before becoming involved with them." Teachers should be aware of red flags when once-dedicated students develop new relation- ships, start sleeping in class and let their grades drop, she adds. It's been five years since leaving her night- mare behind. She is back in nursing school and struggling financially, but free. While there has been recent attention on sex trafficking preven- tion and awareness, she would like to see more focus on helping victims recover. "After everything they have been through, victims definitely need more help re-entering the world and picking up the pieces to carry on with their lives."