My story of survival as a victim of child sex trafficking for seven years has been
released in the United States, U.K.,Turkey and in Bosnia! I am so blessed to be able to raise
awareness and help bring an end to the scourge of child sex trafficking before
another child's innocence is stolen! I want to thank all of you for your
support and encouragement!
Regards,
Jerome Elam
Gannett News Network released my interview with First Coast News nationally and internationally. I am so happy that I can raise awareness about the scourge of human trafficking and be a voice for all those suffering in silence!
In
a 2008 study by the John Jay College of Criminal Justice, of those who were
sexually exploited in New York, fifty percent of victims were found to be boys
from the United States, being trafficked domestically. Until now
anti-trafficking organizations have been focused on female victims but that tide
is now starting to turn. A 2013 study by the organization ECPAT discovered
males are more likely to be arrested for shoplifting or other petty crimes even
though they are being trafficked sexually.
Local
man tells horrifying tales of child sex slavery via First Coast
News :
Daily Mail in the U.K. article:
'I was a five-year-old
sex slave': Florida man reveals childhood of being 'trafficked by his FAMILY,
who made thousands from clients that choked and raped him'
One of three articles published in Turkey:
ABD'nin Florida
eyaletinde yaşayan Jerome Elam, çocukkluğunda yaşadığı tecavüz ve korkunç
muameleyi anlattı. Bir televizyon programına katılan Elam, 5 yaşındayken
ailesinin bir üyesini zorlamasıyla bölge toplumunun ileri gelenlerinin
pedofili sapkınlıklarına nasıl alet olduğunu anlattı.
Read more:
http://www.gazetevatan.com/5-yasindayken-fuhusa-zorlanan-erkek-cocugu-716298-dunya/
Article from Bosnia:
Džerom je bio
zatočeništvu sedam godina, terali su ga da učestvuje u dečijoj pornografiji i
da uzima drogu. Ovo je njegova priča o užasu koji je proživljavao kad je bio
dete
Read more:
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/
Follow me on Social Media:
Stories by Jerome Elam : Contently
jeromeelam.contently.com
Facebook: http://on.fb.me/199Eb93
Twitter : @JeromeElam
Linkedin : http://linkd.in/1cQS9ve
Google+ : google.com/+JeromeElamanendtosilence
Pinterest: http://bit.ly/199GEAt
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCiV7GtIbFmSgcbsY1f47mAg
An end to silence blog by Jerome Elam :http://bit.ly/J17wWz
"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!
