|
Having trouble viewing this email? View it as a Web page.
Help Blue Campaign Reach Victims of Human Trafficking
Human trafficking devastates millions across the globe regardless of their age, race, gender identity, sex, ethnicity, nationality, disability, immigration status, or socioeconomic class. As long as there are victims of this heinous crime, Blue Campaign’s mission to #EndTrafficking is not complete. July 30 is World Day Against Trafficking in Persons. This year’s theme is, “Reach every victim of trafficking, leave no one behind.” Blue Campaign challenges you to raise awareness of human trafficking so that no victim is forgotten. There are several ways to participate:
-
Share the Blue Campaign newsletter with your network: There is strength in numbers. Forward the Blue Campaign newsletter to others and encourage them to subscribe. When they sign up, they’ll become part of a network that receives monthly updates on campaign activities and resources they can use to combat human trafficking in their community or workplace.
-
Engage with us on social media: Follow @DHSBlueCampaign on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for regular human trafficking awareness and education information. Throughout July and beyond, you can share Blue Campaign posts to spread awareness with your followers.
-
Educate your staff, stakeholders, and communities: Did you know that Blue Campaign offers a variety of free, downloadable, and shareable materials? Be sure to check out the indicator cards, toolkits, and more in our library of resources.
|
Sammies People’s Choice Award Voting Extended
There is still time to cast your vote for U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Senior Advisor Michael Camal. The voting window for the Sammies People’s Choice Award has now been extended through Friday, July 14. Camal, who was recently announced as a Top 6 finalist, is nominated for his dedication to spreading awareness of human trafficking within the aviation industry through his work with Blue Campaign and the Blue Lightning Initiative (BLI).
Visit bit.ly/3HRtJqS to vote for Camal. Votes can be submitted daily until the deadline.
|
Blue Campaign Human Trafficking Indicator Cards Now Available for Eight Additional Industries
Blue Campaign recently released a new series of pocket-sized human trafficking indicator cards that show what the crime might look like in the context of eight different industries. These survivor- and expert-informed cards, which are free and easy to print, highlight signs that could help their audiences recognize both potential victims and traffickers. They also provide important reporting information. Cards tailored to the following industries are available for use today:
- Agriculture
- Transportation
- Maritime
- Domestic Service
- Hospitality
- Education
- Technology and Social Media
- The Financial Sector
All Blue Campaign indicator cards can be viewed and downloaded here.
Registration Remains Open for Blue Campaign’s “Concern” Course
“Concern” is a DHS Blue Campaign interactive and asynchronous virtual training course hosted on Federal Law Enforcement Training Centers (FLETC) for state and local law enforcement officers and agents. This e-Learning simulation provides law enforcement, and those likely to encounter human trafficking victims, opportunities to practice interviewing with a victim-centered approach, which places equal value on identifying and stabilizing victims and on investigating and prosecuting traffickers.*
Those who complete this course will be able to:
- Advocate for the victim
- Develop a rapport and establish trust
- Interview victims without judgment
Two flexible sessions remain open for registration:
- July 17, 2023 – August 25, 2023
- August 28, 2023 – October 6, 2023
Visit the following link to register: go.dhs.gov/4Wh.
*Classes are free to sign up. At the above website, enter “BCATP” in the search bar. Registration is required. Each class is limited to 50 students.
Federal Drive Podcast Features BLI
Federal News Network journalist Tom Temin recently hosted BLI on his podcast, “The Federal Drive.” DHS Blue Campaign and BLI Senior Advisor Michael Camal joined Temin to discuss the work of BLI and the importance of partnerships in the mission to combat human trafficking. The pair also reviewed case examples of the crime and talked about Camal’s Samuel J. Heyman Service to America Medal (Sammies) nomination, where he is currently a Top 6 finalist. Listen to the full episode here.
BLI Highlights the Importance of Airport Leaders in International Airport Review Article
BLI recently published an opinion piece for the International Airport Review, highlighting the unique role that airport leaders play in combating human trafficking. The article defines the crime, discusses what it looks like in an airport setting, provides reporting information, and summarizes a case example that was prosecuted at the federal level. Furthermore, ongoing noteworthy anti-human trafficking efforts in the aviation industry, including those led by BLI, are spotlighted. Read the full article here.
CCHT Hosts 2nd Annual Advanced Human Trafficking Training for Investigators
In late May, the Center for Countering Human Trafficking (CCHT) hosted their 2nd annual Advanced Human Trafficking Training for Investigators in Arlington, Virginia. The three-day training was attended by approximately 90 Homeland Security Investigation (HSI) special agents from across the country.
CCHT Director Cardell T. Morant kicked off the training with opening remarks. Students participated in presentations and trafficking case studies from fellow HSI agents and listened to the perspectives of experts from other agencies including the Departments of Health and Human Services, Labor, and Justice.
In keeping with DHS’s victim-centered approach to trafficking investigations, the training included presentations on interviewing victims, working with NGOs, and victim assistance services. To wrap up the event, the Honorable Kwami Adoboe-Herrera from the U.S. Advisory Council on Human Trafficking spoke about his lived experience as a survivor of labor trafficking.
“The CCHT exists to advance counter-human trafficking investigations using the full breadth of DHS’s authorities and capabilities,” said Director Morant. “Events like this are a way to provide HSI agents with knowledge, tools, and access to partners that make it more likely our human trafficking investigations will result in just punishment for traffickers and healing for survivors.”
|
HSI Omaha Investigation Results in 45-year Sentence for Sex Trafficking of a Minor
A Nebraska man was sentenced in late May to 45 years in prison after he was found guilty of sex trafficking a minor and conspiracy to sex traffic a minor.
In September 2020, according to the evidence presented at trial, Dalonte Foard, 25, picked up two Omaha foster children, girls aged 16 and 17, from their foster home and drove them to a hotel. There, co-defendant Thomas Holbert posted online ads promoting the minors for commercial sex acts. The next morning, Foard sexually assaulted one of the minors to “break her in” and posted a new online commercial sex advertisement for her. A man responding to Foard’s ad came to the hotel and paid $60 to engage in a sex act with the victim while Foard waited on the hallway stairs. After the man left, Foard took $50 of the $60 paid to the victim.
“It is our hope that today’s sentencing will send a strong message to all of those who want to line their pockets through the sexual exploitation of children,” said HSI acting Special Agent in Charge Shawn Gibson. “These individuals and their associated criminal organizations have been put on notice. We, alongside our partners at the Omaha Police Department, are doing everything possible to disrupt and dismantle the greedy criminal networks you’ve established and will continue protect the children in our community from harm.”
Thomas Holbert was previously sentenced to over 19 years in prison. Two other co-conspirators, Glenn Whitney and Lance Harper, were sentenced to more than 20 years and 11 years respectively. All four defendants will be required to register as sex offenders upon their release.
HSI conducted the two-year investigation along with the Nebraska Attorney General’s Office and the Omaha Police Department. The DHS CCHT provided funding and support.
More information can be found in the Department of Justice press release announcing the latest sentencing.
For more information visit the Blue Campaign
To report suspected human trafficking: 1-866-347-2423
To get help from the National Human Trafficking Hotline: 1-888-373-7888
or text HELP or INFO to BeFree (233733)
|
