PREVENTION (REDUCING VULNERABILITY)

Traffickers are experts at recognizing and preying upon vulnerabilities, reaching out to and strengthening vulnerable populations is one way to fight human trafficking. This might include mentoring programs for children in foster care, after school programs for “latch key” kids, working with organizations to prevent child abuse, school curriculum for students, parent training programs, programs that help struggling readers, and more.

AWARENESS AND TRAINING

The more our community acknowledges that human trafficking exists and learns how to recognize the signs, the quicker individuals will be to report suspicious activity that could be trafficking, and to prevent becoming victims themselves. When this happens, we will see an increase in rescues, and in arrests, as the community stands up and says, “No more”.

MOBILIZING THE COMMUNITY

It is essential that all community members see themselves as part of the solution to human trafficking. Informed citizens, active in the protection of the most vulnerable, are the key to ending this scourge on our communities. A population that decries a culture that winks at the degradation of others, and grooms our young people to become victims by glorifying unrestrained sex, drug and alcohol usage, and the sexualization of our children, will be the population that puts an end to human trafficking.

REDUCING THE DEMAND

The sex industry is fueled by greed. As long as traffickers can make money abusing their victims, they will continue to do it. If, however, there was no longer anyone willing to pay for the services of the victim, the traffickers would no longer make money. Reducing the demand can be achieved through general education of what victims suffer, through changing cultural attitudes that condone and “wink at” men buying sex, through training programs for offenders, through stiffer penalties for those who buy sex, and through social pressure as offenders’ willingness to buy sex is published rather than being kept hidden.

RESCUE AND VICTIM ASSISTANCE

When law enforcement has been asked, “How can the public best help victims?”, their response has been, “We need a place to bring them that is safe”. When victims are rescued, they need a safe place to stay, clothes, food, counseling, education, legal assistance, practical assistance like rides and help with appointments, and much more. Partnering with a safe home, and supporting financially or as a volunteer is desperately needed. Those victims on the streets who have been beaten and brainwashed and humiliated into believing that this is the only life they could ever have need to know there is an alternative, and loving people are waiting to help them.

PARTNERING WITH LAW ENFORCEMENT

Due to the complex nature of the crime of human trafficking, perpetrators often operate unnoticed. Resources required to uncover violations can be significant. Victims aren’t likely to self-identify as a victim. Many times victims are misidentified and treated as criminals. Training for law enforcement is essential so that officers can recognize the signs of human trafficking, can interview in a way that confirms initial suspicions, and safely separate a victim from his/her trafficker. We have been told that when a victim is rescued, a neutral place is needed, in which interviews and questioning can take place, a place that is not threatening and intimidating, as a police station might be. Local organizations can volunteer to be that neutral place, and to let law enforcement know they “are there” to assist.

PROSECUTION

Prosecuting traffickers will get them off the street, and send a strong message to other “would be” traffickers, that this is a risky business. Training prosecutors and judges to understand the victim mindset, as well as providing support to victims that are willing and able to testify will help increase the likelihood that criminals are prosecuted. Legislation that calls for stiff penalties is needed so that traffickers do not get off with a “slap on the wrist”. Currently, human trafficking is an extremely lucrative business that carries very little risk. We need to change that.

LEGISLATION

Passing legislation that protects and helps victims, provides just punishment and deterrents for traffickers and buyers of sex, and all those who profit or turn a blind eye to it, is crucial for sustainable change.

In His Image Justice Coalition has been a host site for the A21 Walk for Freedom since 2016. Held every October, this global event raises money for A21’s efforts around the world, while bringing local awareness to the issue of human trafficking. IHIJC is proud to support A21 in its work to end human trafficking!

In January of 2021, IHIJC, based on suggestions from the Burlington County Prosecutor’s Office, launched Operation Bombardment.  Every other month, our volunteers visit high trafficking areas in Burlington County, and distribute information to businesses, hotels, and motels to help them recognize and report human trafficking.  Thousands of educational materials have been distributed.

In spring of 2018, IHIJC became impassioned about getting the human trafficking hotline posted in the restrooms along our major highways (NJ Turnpike, Garden State Parkway, Atlantic City Expressway). This is crucially important because victims of human trafficking are moved along these highways.  A restroom along these highways might be the only place in which a victim is separated from his/her captor.  It is a life-saving measure to have the hotline posted in these places.  A letter-writing campaign to legislators grew from this passion, and NJ State Senator Troy Singleton responded to the need!  Working with the NJ Office of the Attorney General, the Turnpike Authority, HMS Host, and Senator’s Singleton’s Office, IHIJC succeeded in getting the hotline posted along our major highways!  They were launched in November, 2019!

• Area Youth Training, July 2016
• Willingboro High School, May 2021
• Burlington County FS Youth Partnership, August, 2021
• Life Center Academy, October, 2021
• Browns Mills Success Center, February, 2022
• Urban Promise, June 2022

Contact Us! Connect us to your school, youth group, youth organization so that we can equip students to protect themselves and their friends!

After meeting with several police departments to discuss the concept of addressing demand in human trafficking, and encouraging police actions to target arresting buyers of sex, IHIJC became aware of an obstacle preventing the successful arrest and prosecution of buyers. In NJ, buying sex is a Disorderly Persons offense. It does not come under the category of indictable crime (known as a felony in other states). Therefore, if police were to spend the time and effort to arrest buyers of sex, those arrested would likely receive a small fine and be out on the street again, often the same day. IHIJC realized that in order to be able to shut down human trafficking by arresting the buyers, and making NJ a safe haven where buying sex is thought to be too risky, legislation would have to be passed to make buying sex a fourth-degree indictable crime. This concern was shared with Assembly Woman Carol Murphy, and she agreed to write legislation that would increase the charge/fine against buyers of sex, and remove penalties against sellers of sex, as they are often vulnerable people who have been victimized. Bill A3863 is currently in the NJ Assembly!!! This has the potential to greatly reduce human trafficking, since no buyers=no trafficking. Human trafficking is fueled by the buying of sex, and is hidden within the prostitution industry.

IHIJC has been meeting monthly to pray about human trafficking, very faithfully, since 2016!!! In 2021, we initiated our First Friday Fasts. Want to join us in these? Can we have button here to connect with us?

Want to pray on your own using the A21 Campaign’s prayer guide?

Contact Us!

NJ.GOV

Indictment Charges Trenton, N.J., Couple With Human Trafficking for Allegedly Forcing Girl, 17, to Work as Prostitute at Area Hotels

NJ.GOV

ATLANTIC CITY MAN CHARGED WITH HUMAN TRAFFICKING & PROMOTING PROSTITUTION

NJ.GOV

Man Sentenced to 13 Years in Prison On Human Trafficking Charge for Trafficking Girl, 16, from New York to New Jersey For Prostitution

NJ.GOV

Man Pleads Guilty and Faces Lengthy Prison Sentence for Trafficking Girl, 17, as Prostitute in South Jersey Motels

PATCH.COM

Human Trafficking Pair Returned To New Jersey: Prosecutor

NJ.GOV

Woman Sentenced to State Prison for Recruiting Girl, 16, to Engage in Prostitution in South Jersey

NJ.GOV

42 pimps, prostitutes in N.J. arrested in FBI child sex trafficking bust

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