FogHorn Oct 6, 2016 - Human Trafficking - Michael Brosnan

 

He described the “blue campaign,” or law enforcement efforts to battle human trafficking, the importance of raising awareness, and his own efforts to give perspective about trafficking. He asked listeners to think from an educated standpoint about people they encounter who might be caught up in trafficking.
He described a video used in law enforcement briefings that includes “survivors’ voices” or brief conversations with victims, which educates the public about human trafficking. He spoke of Proposition 35, voted into California law in November 2012, which involves the legal status of victims, and of legislation that clears records of crimes into which victims have been forced. He spoke of the disadvantages victims face, and how they are helped by hearing other victims’ experiences.
He spoke of increasing time in custody for convicted offenders, and of mandated training of law enforcement personnel for handling crimes of this kind. He also described his efforts to promote understanding of the human trafficking industry and the pimp culture since the passage of Prop. 35. He said the burden is now on law enforcement to prove coercion, force and fraud, and that is now easier to do. He also pointed out that victims are not always girls or young women, citing one young man’s experience.
He described the supply-and-demand aspect of human trafficking, and said that there is now greater understanding of the link between human trafficking and other crimes, such as those related to drugs or gangs. 
He spoke of “periphery businesses” sometimes linked to human trafficking, such as tattoo parlors.  He described “safety nets” for victims, such as increased knowledge and increased public willingness to speak out. Also of great help are social media threads and more people speaking out about situations or behaviors that can indicate that something is wrong. 
He explained the importance of understanding human trafficking and the reasons why people sell their bodies, in helping those caught up in it. Gaining knowledge enough to recognize and understand clues that something is wrong, such as seeing a young person sitting wedged between adults who might be controlling her or him, plus the growing awareness of and training for law enforcement, help ensure that “tomorrow is going to be a brighter day.”
In answer to a question about vigilance in expensive places like some hotels, Brosnan acknowledged that it can be hard to identify an “abnormal” behavior given things like cultural behavioral differences. But, he said, if something doesn’t look right to you then the chances are that it isn’t right, and “you have to be your brother’s keeper.” He cited a story of an older lady who had called in something she thought was unusual and which proved indeed to be very wrong.  
Brosnan was asked by President Liz to stay for a while to answer any further questions, which he did.