Human Trafficking Efforts in Southern New Mexico
A group of concerned individuals from Dona Ana County from cross-disciplines have initiated the Southern New Mexico Task Force on Human Trafficking. This group consists of individuals from the law enforcement, medical, non-profit, victim advocates, and government sectors. The goal of the group is to create a coordinated effort at addressing human trafficking in our community.
Definition of Human Trafficking
Trafficking is a term to define the recruiting, harboring, obtaining, transportation of a person by use of force, fraud, or coercion for the purpose of subjecting them to involuntary acts, such as acts related to commercial sexual exploitation (including prostitution) or involuntary labor. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Human_trafficking
Statistics
- Every 10 minutes, a woman or child is trafficked into the United States for forced labor.
- In 1999, the CIA estimated that 45,000 women and children are trafficked to the United States annually.
- Men are also trafficked into forced labor in agriculture, restaurants and other unregulated industries.
- Human trafficking has become a $9 billion a year global industry and is increasingly an activity of organized crime.
- There are estimated 27 million people living in slavery around the world today.
- In 1999, the Department of Justice prosecuted 25 cases of slavery. In 2000, 76 cases were prosecuted. Currently, there are 120 cases open for investigation.
- In October 2000, the United States enacted the most comprehensive modern-day anti-slavery legislation in the world, offering significant protection to victims. It is called the Victims of Trafficking and Violence Protection Act of 2000.
- Currently, there is not one shelter for trafficked persons in the United States.
- CAST is the only organization in the United States dedicated exclusively to serving trafficked persons.
Information obtained from www.CASTLA.org
Anyone interested in joining our efforts or would like more information contact La Casa at 505-526-2819.