Final Report of the Subcommittee on Domestic Trafficking

sexual exploitation and target <strong>the</strong> real perpetrators <strong>of</strong> sexual exploitation-<strong>the</strong>demand side, violent pimps and traffickers.For <strong>the</strong> International Trafficking victims:From <strong>the</strong> beginning, this group is going to be more difficult to access and serve. Theyare from an entirely different culture and possess little to no English language skills. Wemust approach <strong>the</strong>m with culturally competent staff trained in trauma counseling orinterpreters and a respect for <strong>the</strong> differences in culture. We must also be aware <strong>of</strong> anymisunderstandings that may arise in our communication due to <strong>the</strong>se differences. If weare successful in identifying <strong>the</strong>m as victims <strong>of</strong> Trafficking (with cooperation fromrelevant <strong>of</strong>ficials) <strong>the</strong>n we must find <strong>the</strong>m helpful and supportive housing, once againrunning into barriers in language and culture.At Sage we have established relationships with local Domestic Violence shelters to placewomen as needed, because in general it is difficult to find housing for <strong>the</strong> women due tolanguage barriers and o<strong>the</strong>r special needs. What follows is an entanglement <strong>of</strong> servicesthat we provide. As Case Managers we provide a variety <strong>of</strong> assistance, from taking <strong>the</strong>women to <strong>the</strong>ir relevant appointments (attorney, doctors, counseling, etc.) but equally asimportant, we provide support and reassurance for a process <strong>the</strong>y usually do not trulyunderstand (regardless <strong>of</strong> repeated explanations). I would like to stress that this is usuallybecause <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> very slow rate in which all <strong>of</strong> this takes place. Once <strong>the</strong> women arearrested (from bro<strong>the</strong>ls) it is within a couple <strong>of</strong> days that <strong>the</strong>y shift from <strong>the</strong> Traffickers’environment to living as a Trafficked victim in a strange country/state/city. Traffickedwomen are simultaneously dealing with language barriers, no income/no livelihood(when <strong>the</strong>y do receive it, it is hardly enough to live on), lack <strong>of</strong> a home, PTSD, and lack<strong>of</strong> clarity in what comes next. The first step in accessing county benefits is attaining <strong>the</strong>Continued Presence Letter, which can take complex negotiations with USAO. FBI, orICE and <strong>of</strong>ten over 6 months to obtain, if ever/ or going straight to T Visa (depending on<strong>the</strong> severity <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> case). In <strong>the</strong> mean time, <strong>the</strong>y present with complex needs <strong>of</strong> supportsuch as medical and mental health counseling, legal representation, money, housing,reengagement with traffickers, jobs and answers. As Case Managers from SAGE, wework through all <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>se steps to ensure <strong>the</strong>ir safety, ensure immediate needs are met,long term goals, progress (in case <strong>the</strong>y are material witnesses for <strong>the</strong> year upon signing acontract, usually right after <strong>the</strong>ir arrest), and general support.Ultimately <strong>the</strong> deeper problems arise because <strong>the</strong>y are functioning in <strong>the</strong> US as thirdworld women without documentation and truthfully, without any rights. Prior toreceiving a CC or T Visa <strong>the</strong>y have nothing, and without language abilities, <strong>the</strong>y faceracism and closed doors. However, this is representative <strong>of</strong> a vicious cycle becausewithout housing, money, and proper documentation, <strong>the</strong>y do not have <strong>the</strong> wherewithal toparticipate in much needed programs like ESL, counseling, job training, and support insocial integration.For <strong>the</strong> Victims <strong>of</strong> Domestic Trafficking:While victims <strong>of</strong> Domestic Trafficking may, in many cases, be exempt from <strong>the</strong> barriers<strong>of</strong> possessing English Language skills or being able to obtain proper documentation <strong>of</strong>citizenship, <strong>the</strong>y are faced with o<strong>the</strong>r challenges, which are similar to that <strong>of</strong> anInternational Trafficking victim. An exceptionally high percentage <strong>of</strong> Domestic77