Fighting human trafficking and modern-day slavery IMPACT REPORT 2015

Transcription

1 Fighting human trafficking and modern-day slavery IMPACT REPORT 2015

2 EL POZO DE VIDA El Pozo de Vida, (EPDV or The Well of Life) is a non-profit organization, fights for the eradication of human trafficking and modern-day slavery. Based in Mexico City, EPDV works with government agencies and a network of local organizations to serve adolescent girls and women in one of the most highly trafficked destinations and transited countries in the Americas. Through our programs in the areas of prevention, intervention and rehabilitation services, we hope to raise awareness, rescue victims, and bring restoration to trafficked survivors. HISTORY Benny and Janice Yu, When we first arrived in Mexico, we had no idea of the complexity and proliferation of the issue of modern-day slavery. We were surprised by the volume of children that were being trafficked each year. The statistics weighed heavy on our hearts and we knew that we were witnessing one of the greatest human rights tragedies of our generation. We were moved to respond and take action and founded El Pozo de Vida, (The Well of Life). EPDV was formed as a Mexican non-profit in 2010, and in the U.S. incorporated in 2011, granted non-profit (501c3) status in FACTS The United Nations International Labor Organization (ILO) estimates that there are more than 21 million adults and children who are victims of human trafficking in the world. 1 In Mexico, over 20,000 children, not including foreigners trafficked through Mexico, are victims of sex trafficking every year. 2 Forced labor and human trafficking is estimated to be a $150 billion industry worldwide. (International Labor Organization).3 Victims are often lured by people they know and trust, with the promise of fraudulent employment opportunities, deceptive offers of romantic relationships, or extortion, including the retention of identification documents or threats to notify immigration officials. 1 y 3 ILO. (2015). Retrieved May 13, 2015, from index.htm 2 U.S. Department of State. (2009). Trafficking in persons report Retrieved from tip/rls/tiprpt/2009/ htm

3 WHAT WE DO to fight the problem PREVENTION PROBLEM: The widespread lack of awareness and understanding of trafficking allows perpetrators to continue to lure and manipulate victims and their families INTERVENTION PROBLEM: Helping victims remove themselves out of their circumstances requires the education of available options and also a tangible way to provide resources such as education, referral to Safe homes, or job training. RESTORATION PROBLEM: While victims are rescued, they not only need a secure place to live, but proper care to rehabilitate from the mental, physical and most often, drug abuse, forced upon by their perpetrators. JOB TRAINING PROBLEM: Most victims have little to no education nor job skills that would allow for a sustainable future, often causing a regression back into the trafficking cycle. Mexico 2007 A federal law was enacted defining the crime of human trafficking. Commission to carry-out the National Plan to Prevent and Sanction Human Trafficking and sentencing guidelines were established El reglamento de esta nueva ley no fue elaborado al al término de los 60 días requeridos, por lo cual algunas porciones administrativas no fueron posible aplicarlas Mexico publicly endorsed the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime s Blue Heart Campaign against Human Trafficking, becoming the first country in Latin America to do so. The federal law was revised to include the establishment of a fund intended to serve the payment of damages to victims. All 32 Mexican states have passed some form of anti-trafficking related penal code reform, and 23 states have specific state anti- trafficking laws, five of which were passed in The Mexican Senate approved a comprehensive reform of the law against human trafficking, which provides for more severe penalties, incorporates new types of criminal behavior associated with human trafficking, extends the scope of aggravating circumstances of the crime, and increases penalties to up to 30 years of imprisonment and fines. On April 30, 2014, SEGON announced in the Official Journal of the Nation National Prevention, Punishment and Eradication Program Crime on Trafficking in Persons and for the protection and assistance of victims of these crimes from 2014 to A new anti-trafficking law was approved, obligating states to adjust their anti-trafficking legislation to be in line with national legislation. Regulations were not issued during the reporting period and, as a result, administrative portions remained unenforceable On the 5th of October 2015, the National Commission of Human Rights launched a National Campaign for the prevention of Human Trafficking Liberty without deceit or false promises. Through said campaign, they hoped to bring visibility to the reality and gravity of this crime, create awareness and contribute to the prevention.

4 our solutions PREVENTION 1A1: In partnership with Operation Blessing, EPDV developed a human trafficking educational media kit, especially designed for public school systems. 35,000 copies were distributed in at-risk middle schools and high schools in Cuauhtémoc, one of the highest trafficking districts in Mexico City. INTERVENTION Corazon Gomer: An undercover outreach project that serves as a drop-in center for prostitutes in one of the largest prostitution districts in Latin America, about 10,000 prostitutes trafficking prostitutes everyday. Vocational training, individual/group therapy sessions and English classes are held on location. The center has come to be known as a safe place where women can come and be empowered within a loving community. INM (National Institute for Migration) Project: Identifying possible international trafficking victims in the INM detention center. The INM detention center is responsible for detaining all illegal immigrants north of Mexico City to the U.S. border. EPDV makes multiple weekly visits to the INM and provides trafficking awareness talks to the detainees in order to to help prevent further trafficking once they are repatriated. EPDV works with the INM director in order to help identify trafficked victims amongst the detainees. Block Parties: EPDV hosts block parties in prostitution districts of the city, mobilizing volunteers to disrupt the system of sex-trafficking in our city. We put up street decorations, give out free food, and set up live musical performances. Our desire is to provide an ambience to share love and support for the women who are working the streets. We ve witnessed women share their needs and have helped them find jobs and provided them safe places for their transition off the streets. RESTORATION Safe home: EPDV runs an after-care safe home for female sex-trafficked victims for ages of Victims are received directly from Mexican state and federal governments after they are rescued. They receive holistic care including the following services: health care, education, psychological/psychiatric services, life skills, individual/family therapy, spiritual counseling, and legal services. Transition home: In 2014, EPDV opened a transition home for human trafficking victims and women coming out of prostitution. The home is open for women over the age of 18 who need support in the transition from prostitution and sexual exploitation to becoming independent. Women enter the home voluntarily while they look for alternative income sources, enroll in school, and save money to begin a new life. Nunayu: Saw the light in March 2015, micro business project that employs women who have been sexually exploited and never rescued. The first generation of women consists of 8 women that work designing and creating jewelry. 1 Human Rights Commission of Mexico City. Al Otro Lado de la Calle: Prostitución de menores en la Merced. Pp

5 1a1 TRENDS 1a1 looks to educate, create awareness and prevention in distinct sectors of our society, with an emphasis on the youth as they are vulnerable to becoming victims of this crime. We look to mobilize the youth and society to take preventative action. The program not only informs and trains students, it is also a useful tool that enhances the curriculum and trains teachers and everyone involved in the education process. The program also helps teachers identify possible victims and prevent any possible cases in their environment. The campaign consists of the distribution of an informative kit that contains a pamphlet and 3 international award winning documentary videos. This kit is primarily directed at children and youth who are the most vulnerable with greater chances of becoming victims. The most effective way to get information to this population is through the schools. Highlights of 2015 From May to December 2015, the prevention program 1a1began in more than 10 different cities in Mexico, reaching more than 780 adults and 5000 children.

6 CorazOn Gomer TRENDS In the red-light district of Mexico City, the main point of the city for sexual exploitation of minors 1, El Pozo de Vida opened a drop-in center called Corazon Gomer in The drop-in centre functions as a beauty salon and community centre, where the women can receive counseling, food, job trainings, education, and build a support network within themselves and with the Corazon Gomer staff. Each week the staff invite the women off the street to come for a free meal and a group counseling session. During the remainder of the week women are able to come to the center and receive discounted beauty services, to talk and be listened to, or just receive some rest and safety. 1 Highlights of 2015 March 8, 2014 Corazon Gomer had a dinner to celebrateinternational Woman s Day and since then the women get together every Tuesday. March 2015 was the one year anniversary of the gatherings, of 5-20 women who find themselves in prostitution, at Bella Esperanza. They use this time to sit in community, talk, study, and play games. The women have created bonds of friendship and trust and have begun creating networks of support and healthy relationships. Nunayú The relationship grew so much that the women were invited to join a project called Nunayu, which means Liberty in Mixteco. The project aims to empower these women with new skills in costume jewelry making with the purpose of teaching alternative lifestyles in which they can find liberty. origin Corazon gomer worked with over 30 girls from AGE PROFILE Veracruz Tabasco Chiapas D. F. Toluca Puebla Tlaxcala

7 Immigration Project TRENDS The Mexican Institution of Statistics and Geography performed a survey of migrant women in Mexico, which revealed that 142,711 migrant women had been victims of sexual abuse and rape, while 19,111 were forced into prostitution. (Galindo, 2011). In Mexico, many human trafficking victims are found, identified as illegal immigrants, and placed in one of the three detention centers in the country, the largest being the one located in Mexico City, Mexico. 1 Galindo, C. (2011) Migración, secuestro, trata y tráfico de personas. Grupo de Investigación de Derechos Humanos y Marginalidad, Universidad Autónoma Metropolitana. Retrieved from: pdfs/69/76-10.pdf The objectives Provide attention, orientation and accompaniment to the victims or possible victims of human trafficking within the immigration detention centers of Mexico City, Monterrey and Hermosillo, while also training the different institutions involved in attention, detection and care of victims. Highlights of In 2014 the team that works in the detention centers, served 857 women and more than 360 teenagers. 7 victims of human trafficking were identified and reported. 174 victims of kidnapping and other crimes were also identified. In migrant women were served and 1169 teenagers. 46 victims of human trafficking were identified and reported to INM. 673 victims of kidnapping and other crimes were also identified. Mexico as a transit country It is estimated that between 150, ,000 illegal immigrants migrate through Mexico each year. 1 out of 3 illegal immigrants are women, the number of women detained in the immigration center in Mexico increased by 30%. The average age 28 years old (OIM.org) In 2012, minors repatriated from Mexico % Guatemala, 37.13% Honduras, 21.91% El Salvador (Consejo Nacional de Población, Yearbook of migration and remittances, 2014)

8 SAFE HOME TRENDS Girls Cared For One victim were from Honduras origin One victim was from Missouri, U.S.A. One victim were from Argentina Two transitory victims were from Venezuela Two transitory victims were from Venezuela AGE PROFILE < to (+6 transitory)) 18 and up 2 (+2 transitory)) Every girl receives THESE services: shelter food & clothing health care education individual therapy family therapy spiritual counseling life skills job assistance forms of trafficking or convictions 2 RAPE 2 PIMPING 2 SEXUAL ABUSE 11 SEX-TRAFFICKING 8 12 LABOR TRAFFICKING CORRUPTION OF MINORS *Ill-qualified cases due to a lack of awareness on trafficking may account for the high number of Corruption of Minors convictions.

9 Transition home In May of 2014 the transition home, Fuente de Vida, opened its doors to the first group of graduate girls from the refuge home. The transition home is managed by the Biopsisocial Attention Model which includes the following perspectives: General Process of Attention and Treatment Where the general care and attention is contemplated to offer a dignified and safe asylum, emotional and spiritual support, and recreation. Accompaniment in the process of reintegration to society and the formation of social skills. Joining the support network with the family bonds. Access to medical services. Plan of Individual Integral Attention. Understanding that each person has different problems and needs and each approach is personalized accordingly. Including medical, physiological, psychiatric, pedagogical, labor training, etc.

10 Transition home TRENDS Girls Cared For origin AGE PROFILE < to and up 1 Every girl receives THESE services: Attention and general care Social Therapy Academic and personal development Justice and advocacy

11 Nunayú Nunayu came to light in March 2015, micro business project that gives women, who were sexually exploited and never rescued, the opportunity of work. We focus on the population of women who were victims of human trafficking and were never rescued and were trapped in the industry for 10 to 20 years during a time that human trafficking was still considered a myth. Nunayu was born out of the necessity to employ women who were never given opportunities or have a lack of job experience to advance to other employment options. The first generation of women consists of 8 women who are employed to design and create jewelry. The women also receive art therapy, nutrition and english classes, zumba, bible study, counseling and social services.

12 FINANCIALS 2014 BREAKDOWN OF FUNDING total $173,978 EXPENSES BY CLASS total $132,960 6% INDIVIDUALS, U.S 28% MEXICO 3% IMMIGRATION PROJECT 9% TRANSITION HOME 8% IMMIGRATION PROJECT 9% CORAZ0N GOMER 50% U.S. 16% INDIVIDUALS, MEXICO 72% SAFE HOUSE

13 FINANCIALS 2015 BREAKDOWN OF FUNDING total $147,430 EXPENSES BY CLASS total $140,703 4%INDIVIDUALS, U.S 12% MEXICO 9% INDIVIDUALS, MEXICO 2% IMMIGRATION PROJECT 15% IMMIGRATION PROJECT 7% CORAZON GOMER 3% TRANSITION HOME 76% U.S. 73% SAFE HOUSE

14 we need your help to continue restoring lives and bringing hope to the victims DONATE TODAY We deeply thank our past and current supporters