Advanced Human Trafficking in the State of Texas

Advanced Human Trafficking in the State of Texas TCOLE Course #: 3271 UNIT SIX Hosted By Bexar County Constable’s Office PCT#4 Constable Robert M. Blount

UNIT SIX

LEARNING OBJECTIVES Learning Objective 6.0: The participant will be able to explain who are the victims of Human Trafficking, such as lifestyles, and poor choices. Learning Objective 6.1: The participant will be able to explain two of the communication barriers associated with Human Trafficking Victims. Learning Objective 6.2: The participant will be able to identify three considerations when interviewing human trafficking victims. 3

LEARNING OBJECTIVES Learning Objective 6.3: The participant will be able to identify examples of questions designed to reveal a Human Trafficking Victim. Learning Objective 6.4: The participant will be able to recognize the victim’s immediate needs when encountering a Human Trafficking Victim.

Unit 6.0 Communicating Human Trafficking Victims Who are the victims? Officers must recognize that anyone has the potential of becoming a Human Trafficking victim. Circumstance, lifestyle and poor choices may provide a trafficker with the needed opportunity to victimize persons from all walks of life.

Unit 6.0 Communicating Human Trafficking Victims – Cont’d A.Men, women, and children B.Domestic – U.S. citizens and residents within the United States C.International – foreign nationals across international borders

VICTIMS

Unit 6.0 Communicating Human Trafficking Victims – Cont’d D. Desperate, vulnerable, and impoverished persons E. Look beneath the surface “The next prostitute, exotic dancer, illegal immigrant, runaway youth, domestic servant, or migrant worker you encounter or take into custody may be a victim of human trafficking.”

6.1Communication barriers associated with Human Trafficking Victims. Communication Barriers A. May fear deportation - The TVPA authorizes special visas and other forms of immigration relief to certain trafficking victims.

6.1Communication barriers associated with Human Trafficking Victims. Communication Barriers B. May fear reunification with abusive family - Services/placement elsewhere will be investigated. C. Does not identify as a victim - You are a victim, not a criminal. What is happening to you is wrong.

6.1Communication barriers associated with Human Trafficking Victims. Communication Barriers D. Distrust of law enforcement - We can help get you what you need. We can protect you. You can trust us. E. Unaware of rights - You have rights. You have the right to live without being abused

6.2 Three considerations when interviewing human trafficking victims. Interviewing human trafficking victims will require a revised skill set since there may be a language barrier or the victim may present initially as a suspect in an underlying criminal offense; i.e. prostitution.

6.2 Three considerations when interviewing human trafficking victims. Officers must first recognize they are talking with a potential victim and adjust their questions, demeanor and even the setting to accommodate the needs of the victim

6.2 Three considerations when interviewing human trafficking victims. Patience expected from investigator as a must, since the victims may initially provide practiced lies or half truths based on the trafficker’s prior threats of deportation, relocation, or torture from the trafficker

6.2 Three considerations when interviewing human trafficking victims. Providing for basic needs (Food, Clothing or Shelter) prior to interviewing, if possible, will help establish rapport and assure the victim they can tell their story.

6.2 Considerations when interviewing human trafficking victims. A. Look for comfortable space with no physical barriers B. Depending on policy, do not videotape or audiotape initial conversation

6.2 Considerations when interviewing human trafficking victims. C. Prepare questionsprior to your interview D. Use informal conversation

6.2 Considerations when interviewing human trafficking victims. E. Consider using a children’s advocacy center for interviewing minors F. Do not make promises you cannot keep

6.2 Considerations when interviewing human trafficking victims. G. Keep note taking to a minimum H. Allow victim to set length and pace, bepatient I. Watch for body language cues

6.3 Examples of questions designed to reveal a Human Trafficking Victim. A. Questioning beneath the surface Questions should be asked in a non-threatening manner as victims may fear authority figures and are concerned about being in the country illegally.

6.3 Examples of questions designed to reveal a Human Trafficking Victim – Cont’d A. Questioning beneath the surface Victims are usually coached on what to say when asked about their immigration status

6.3 Examples of questions designed to reveal a Human Trafficking Victim – Cont’d A. Questioning beneath the surface Victims must be placed at ease and feel secure during the interview and reassured they will get the proper resources to recover.

6.3 Examples of questions designed to reveal a Human Trafficking Victim – Cont’d A. Questioning beneath the surface Officers should carefully consider the answers to these questions and be aware victims might have been coached.

6.3 Examples of questions designed to reveal a Human Trafficking Victim – Cont’d A. Questioning beneath the surface The non-verbal cues of appearance and demeanor and how those relate to the answers given in response to the questions will also help the officer

6.3 Examples of questions designed to reveal a Human Trafficking Victim – Cont’d A. Questioning beneath the surface If an interpreter is used ensure it is a disinterested third party to ensure the correct questions and answers are being relayed.

6.3 Examples of questions designed to reveal a Human Trafficking Victim – Cont’d A. Questioning beneath the surface 1. How did you get here? 2. Do you know where you are? 3. Where do you live, eat and sleep? 4. Do you owe a debt or money?

6.3 Examples of questions designed to reveal a Human Trafficking Victim – Cont’d A. Questioning beneath the surface 5. Who controls your legal or travel documents? 6. Were you threatened if you tried to leave? 7. Who makes your travel arraignments?

6.3 Examples of questions designed to reveal a Human Trafficking Victim – Cont’d A. Questioning beneath the surface 8. Are you ever left alone? 9. Has your family been threatened? 10. Were you physically abused or tortured?

6.3 Examples of questions designed to reveal a Human Trafficking Victim – Cont’d A. Questioning beneath the surface 11. Were you ever forced to stay in one place? 12. Who are you afraid of? 13. How many people do you live with?

6.3 Examples of questions designed to reveal a Human Trafficking Victim – Cont’d A. Questioning beneath the surface 14. What were you told to say to the police or immigration? 15. Who paid for their travel?

6.3 Examples of questions designed to reveal a Human Trafficking Victim – Cont’d B.Investigative tools The investigation of Human Trafficking has some similarities to both Assault FV and to Sexual Assault (when the trafficking is commercial sex trafficking

6.3 Examples of questions designed to reveal a Human Trafficking Victim – Cont’d B.Investigative tools Techniques and protocols from both those offenses can, and should, be used when conducting an investigation

6.3 Examples of questions designed to reveal a Human Trafficking Victim – Cont’d B.Investigative tools Tools or protocols to consider: 1. Take a statement as soon as possible 2. Take photos of the victim and any tattoos (branding)

6.3 Examples of questions designed to reveal a Human Trafficking Victim – Cont’d B. Investigative tools Tools or protocols to consider: 3. Identify and capture any social network (internet) used to traffic the victim and archive the pages

6.3 Examples of questions designed to reveal a Human Trafficking Victim – Cont’d B. Investigative tools Tools or protocols to consider: 4. Determine who is renting any rooms used by the victim

6.3 Examples of questions designed to reveal a Human Trafficking Victim – Cont’d B. Investigative tools Tools or protocols to consider: 5. Take all cell phones for phone numbers and to determine who is paying the bill 6. Get sexual assault exam if possible for commercial sex trafficking

6.4 Recognize the victim’s immediate needs when encountering a Human Trafficking Victim. A. Victims may have little or no personal items with them when contacted. If the victims are being held in a secured facility they may not even have clothes as they are being held in their underwear to discourage escape

6.4 Recognize the victim’s immediate needs when encountering a Human Trafficking Victim – Cont’d A. Traffickers have little incentive to feed the victims well, usually providing minimal nourishment leaving the victims in poor health. 1. Clothing 2. Food – possibly malnourished

6.4 Recognize the victim’s immediate needs when encountering a Human Trafficking Victim – Cont’d A.3. Housing – safe and secure, culturally and linguistically appropriate, age and gender appropriate

6.4 Recognize the victim’s immediate needs when encountering a Human Trafficking Victim – Cont’d What exists to help victims?; • emergency shelters, • homeless shelters, • youth shelters, • domestic violence shelters, • hotel vouchers, • good Samaritans

6.4 Recognize the victim’s immediate needs when encountering a Human Trafficking Victim – Cont’d B.Supporting victims 1.Additional basic needs • Medical, • safety and • security,

6.4 Recognize the victim’s immediate needs when encountering a Human Trafficking Victim – Cont’d B.Supporting victims 1.Additional basic needs • language interpretation and • legal services

Advanced Human Trafficking in the State of Texas