ABC/WCJB-TV 20 CW10 Gainesville, Florida Trafficking in America Conference July 11,2014 Interview with Jerome Elam and Yvonne Williams

  ABC/WCJB-TV 20 CW10 Gainesville, Florida Trafficking in America Conference July 11,2014 Interview with Jerome Elam and Yvonne Williams

 

I am posting the 7-11-2014 interview that Yvonne Williams and I had with ABC/WCJB-TV 20 CW10 Gainesville, Florida about human trafficking and the Trafficking in America Conference July 16-18. I was honored and blessed to be able to speak out for all those suffering in silence.

It's a dark world to live in. A world Jerome Elam knows all too well. "I became trapped in this world… an enormous burden no child should have to bear. For seven years of my life I was trafficked by a pedophile ring and I was finally able to escape and get out of it," Elam said.
Yvonne Williams from Lecanto started the Trafficking In America Task Force, an annual conference that educates youth on the matter. The event will take place in West Palm Beach from July 16th-18th. Elam will be there to share his story with teens.

Read the article and watch the video of our interview by clicking on the link below:
http://www.wcjb.com/local-news/2014/07/speaking-out-about-dark-moments-human-trafficking

To find out more about the Trafficking in America Conference in West Palm Beach click on the following link: http://traffickinginamericaconference.info

How To Identify A Human Trafficking Victim

•     Seems anxious, fearful or paranoid.  Avoids eye contact.
•    Tearfulness or signs of depression.
•    Unexplained bruises or cuts or other signs of physical abuse.
•    Appears to be in a relationship with someone who is dominating.
•    Never is alone and/or always has someone translating or answering questions on their behalf.
•    Not in control of their own finances.
•    Presents with secrecy or unable to answer questions about where they live.
•    Inconsistent details when telling their story.
•    Has no identification such as a license, passport or other ID documents.
    Inability to leave their job or residence.  Says they cannot schedule appointments.
    Being a recent arrival to the United States and does not speak English.
    Is under 18 and providing commercial sex acts.  Or at any age unwillingly providing commercial sex acts.
    Is afraid of law enforcement or receiving help from an outside entity.

If you can find an opportunity to get he/she alone, ask him/her the following screening questions:
     Can you leave your job or house when you want?
    Where did you get those bruises or is anyone hurting you?
    Do you get paid for your employment?  Is it fair?  How many hours do you work?
    (If foreign national) How did you get to the U.S. and is it what you expected?  Are you being forced to do anything you don't want to do?
    Are you or your family being threatened?
    Do you live with or near your employer?  Does your employer provide you housing?  Are there locks on doors or windows from outside?
    Do you owe debt to anyone?

If you suspect they are a victim of human trafficking,take the following actions:
    Ask the person if you can help them find a safe place to go immediately.
     If they need time, create an action plan with them to get to a safe place when they are ready.
     Call and make a report to the human trafficking hotline at 1.888.3737.888.  The hotline has language capabilities, so any individual can call directly if they choose.

The Department of Homeland Security online training about how to spot the signs of and report suspected human trafficking:

The Department of Homeland Security's Blue Campaign is now offering online training about how to spot the signs of and report suspected human trafficking. The training is aimed at the general public, the Federal workforce, first responders, and airline employees and focuses on:
    •    Defining human trafficking
    •    Differentiating between human trafficking and human smuggling
    •    Recognizing populations vulnerable to human trafficking
    •    Recognizing indicators of human trafficking   
A glossary and additional resources also are provided. View the Human Trafficking Awareness Training on the Department of Homeland Security's website:
http://www.dhs.gov/xlibrary/training/dhs_awareness_training_fy12/launchPage.htm


Jerome Elam
Staff Writer and Columnist for Communities Digital News http://www.commdiginews.com
Read my column here:
A Heart Without Compromise; Advocating for Children:
http://www.commdiginews.com/column/a-heart-without-compromise-advocating-for-children-2/  


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"The world is a dangerous place, not because of those who do evil, but because of those who look on and do nothing." - Albert Einstein

Always remember that you are never alone and that others have walked the healing path before you and are here to lift you up! Also remember that as survivors and victims, alone we may be strong but together we are unbeatable!

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