After a nationwide FBI sting rescued 23 juvenile prostitutes in the state of Washington, a coalition of government and non-government organizations announced a campaign to bring a voice to other victims.
Read The Skanner's reporting on how many victims still face criminalization.
According to advocates, many victims of human trafficking – both sexual and other forms of servitude – fear the government and its laws that target undocumented immigrants and sex workers. Now, a comprehensive poster campaign will attempt to reach victims in places they are likely to frequent and in their native language.
With translations into Vietnamese, Russian, English, Tagalog, Spanish, Chinese and Korean, advocates hope victims can self-identify themselves to authorities so they can get help and put their abusers into the criminal justice system.
"We hope that this campaign, unique in its direct outreach in multiple, common languages, will be a model for the nation, particularly in our collaborative approach - government entities and NGOs working together to reach victims of human trafficking with the message that they have rights and help is available," said Lacie Morrison, Executive Director of Seattle Against Slavery, a grassroots coalition working to make a slave-free world one city at a time.
The poster says "No one should force you into work or prostitution. You have rights in the United States, regardless of immigration status. If you or someone you know is being forced to work, please call for help." It directs potential victims and victims to call 1-888-3737-888.
According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, immigration policy now allows victims of human trafficking a "T visa" that gives temporary status within the United States for three years. After three years, victims will have the opportunity to apply for permanent residence status. Some situations allow victims to obtain T visas for family members.
The poster campaign will be deployed to highway rest stops, truck stops, convenience stores and other places where victims will be able to view them. Anyone can download and print copies of the poster from seattleagainstslavery.org. A downloadable 11X17 copy of the poster is available for free.