Executive director Nadine Finigan-Carr discusses Jan. 22 webinar and provides insight into this important topic during Human Trafficking Awareness Month.
January is Human Trafficking Awareness Month, and the University of Maryland's (UMB) Center for Violence Prevention (CVP) is marking the occasion with efforts to raise awareness about the subject — what it is, who can experience trafficking, and what actionable steps the public can take to combat trafficking in their communities.
To help prevent this crime, it’s vital to separate facts from myths, and the center hopes to do that during the webinar “Hidden Realities: Debunking Misconceptions About Human Trafficking” on Jan. 22 at 2 p.m. Held in partnership with the University of Maryland School of Social Work (UMSSW), the event features a panel of experts including Nadine Finigan-Carr, PhD, MS, executive director of CVP; Amelia Rubenstein, LCSW, director of the UMB Prevention of Adolescent Risk Initiative at UMSSW; and Tharyn Giovanni, MSW, of CVP.
In addition, Finigan-Carr recently answered a few questions about trafficking to further spread awareness within the community. Read more as she confronts common myths, talks about the realities of human trafficking, including what trafficking looks like in Baltimore, and provides insight into how “Hidden Realities” will delve further into facts about this crime.
What is human trafficking?
The Trafficking Victims Protection Act defines human trafficking as the exploitation of individuals through force, fraud, or coercion, for purposes such as forced labor, sexual exploitation, or involuntary servitude. It's crucial to recognize that it can affect anyone, regardless of socioeconomic status, and involves a range of deceptive tactics. Most important, this federal law recognizes any commercial sex act involving a minor as human trafficking, regardless of whether force, fraud, or coercion is present.
Let’s dig into a few of the myths surrounding this subject. One prevalent myth is that it primarily affects those in poverty. How does “Hidden Realities" aim to debunk this stereotype?
We want the public to know that trafficking is hiding in plain sight. Anyone can be manipulated into a trafficking situation. The reality is this — regardless of your income or ZIP code, human trafficking can affect anyone, anywhere. Poverty may be a risk factor for some but there are so many other risks to consider. It’s our collective responsibility to shatter these illusions and safeguard all communities.
There’s also a commonly held belief that human trafficking survivors are chronic runaways and/or sexually promiscuous. Can you elaborate on this specific misconception?
First of all, it is imperative that we don’t think of human trafficking as only sex trafficking. The misconception that these are the only types of survivors stems from ignoring other types of victims of human trafficking such as those exploited for their labor. Next, for many reasons, it is important for human trafficking prevention strategies to use a public health approach. Social determinants of health like childhood physical and sexual abuse, low levels of social support, and reduced decision-making capacity are just a few factors that may cause a person to be vulnerable to trafficking. Most important, labeling survivors as runaways ignores the reality of what causes children and youth to leave home. In other words, survivors labeled as chronic runways are likely running from something or to something. This label places blame on survivors who are victims of crime and dismisses the trafficker(s) and buyer(s) responsible for their exploitation.
Can you share any real-life examples or stories that will help reshape public understanding during Human Trafficking Awareness Month?
There’s a quote from a human trafficking survivor that sheds light on how the public can reform their perspective around supporting the recovery needs of survivors: "Words like 'rescue' turn people off from getting help. It’s too dramatic. … You don’t think you are being trafficked; you think this is your life. So, you don’t recognize yourself as needing help." Recognizing the complexity of their experiences and avoiding stigmatizing language allows us to create an environment where survivors feel heard and can actively engage in their own recovery. Let's shift our perspective from “rescue” to one of empathy, respecting the resilience of survivors and acknowledging their agency in the healing process.
What does human trafficking look like in a major city like Baltimore, and what should the community know?
In urban settings like Baltimore, trafficking can manifest in various forms, including both labor and sex trafficking. “Hidden Realities” will discuss the local nuances, emphasizing community involvement in recognizing and reporting suspicious activities. It's essential for everyone to be vigilant and informed to combat this crime effectively. The influence of social media has shaped a misconception that human trafficking typically initiates with the abduction of someone. Sure, this could happen, though extremely rare, but what is more typical is the grooming of a child or an adult to gain their trust and dependence. In Baltimore, our foster care youth, system-involved youth, youth living day to day with unmet basic needs are most at-risk.
What do you hope attendees will take away from “Hidden Realities”?
We aspire for attendees to leave with a deeper understanding of the complexities surrounding human trafficking in all forms. By fostering awareness and cultural competence, we aim to empower the community to actively participate in prevention efforts. "Hidden Realities" encourages dialogue, challenges stereotypes, and fosters a united front against trafficking. In addition, we plan to have a Q&A portion during the event to address specific concerns and provide further clarity.
“Hidden Realities” on Jan. 22
Those interested in attending “Hidden Realities” can join CVP’s Instagram live on Monday, Jan. 22, at 2 p.m. To join, click this link (https://bit.ly/umbpreventviolence) on your phone, set a reminder, and engage in a crucial discussion in recognition of Human Trafficking Awareness Month.
The webinar is just one example of the ways CVP is seeking to bridge the activities of those across UMB and in the community to provide creative and impactful education and information to prevent violence and trauma. One of CVP’s initial steps was the launch of a survey to identify research, practice, and/or policy projects at the University that work at the city, state, or regional level in addressing violence and promoting healing. (The survey can be found at this link.)
If you have questions about CVP’s work or about the upcoming webinar, please contact umbpreventviolence@umaryland.edu.