A new report highlights the intersection of human trafficking and family homelessness
UNANIMA International calls attention to the link between human trafficking and homelessness, Damayan’s new film aims to raise awareness of labour abuse in the U.S., and Locate International warns that traffickers in Vietnam are offering a high-priced “VIP” smuggling service into the UK.
Human trafficking and family homelessness are two intersecting issues which should not be examined separately, according to a new report by UNANIMA International. Rather, they are both part of an interlinked problem in which trafficked persons have a high risk of homelessness and housing insecurity, and those experiencing homelessness and housing insecurity are at risk of being trafficked. The group found that its current work researching family homelessness, and subsequently sharing its findings and acting upon them through advocacy, intersects extensively with the issues around human trafficking and the action being taken to address it.
UNANIMA International (“UN” to represent the United Nations and “Anima” from the Latin word for feminine “spirit” or “life principle”) is a coalition of women religious (nuns and religious sisters) from 83 countries who advocate on behalf of women and children, particularly those living in poverty, migrants and refugees, the homeless and displaced, and those affected by environmental issues. Its work takes place primarily at the United Nations Headquarters in New York, and its present focus is on homelessness and displacement. Addressing these issues and their accompanying trauma is integral to achieving the 2030 Agenda for UN Sustainable Development Goals and the pledge to “leave no one behind” – especially those who are furthest behind.
At the report launch event, speakers from Australia, Philippines, India, Italy, Albania, USA and Ireland highlighted the vulnerability of homeless people to being trafficked. Sr Imelda Poole IBVM, President of RENATE Europe (Religious in Europe Networking Against Trafficking and Exploitation), drew upon her work at Mary Ward Loreto, the Albanian mission against human trafficking, to speak about exploitative cross-border transits that target the marginalized in Albanian society. As an example, she linked the stark situation of the Roma community in Albania with undocumented migrant girls living on the streets around Euston Station in London. Imelda said that ineffective legislation played a part in the intersections of family homelessness and human trafficking when, in so many countries worldwide, domestic workers – largely immigrant women – were unprotected by labour laws. In Britain, thousands of identified trafficked people are now lost in the system and cannot access benefits. They are offered work and they disappear.
The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic was referenced by all speakers. Imelda highlighted the closure of homeless shelters and drop-in centres; the closure of police front-desks; the furloughing of staff by charities and non-governmental organizations; and the ensuing lack of support to protect homeless people. All this has contributed to destitute and desperate people falling into the hands of predators who seize opportunities to exploit those who are at their most vulnerable.
In putting the publication together, UNANIMA International wants to increase awareness of the relationship between human trafficking and family homelessness and highlight the partnership opportunities that will support work in addressing both issues. It encourages others to focus on the intersections of human trafficking and homelessness — two very traumatizing situations that are often tackled individually rather than together. In order to address the intersections, society as a whole must link the two issues to each other. When our services, research and advocacy are continually interacting, we can make a difference to the suffering and exploitation caused by homelessness and human trafficking.
Here’s a round-up of other noteworthy news and initiatives:
Members of the Alliance to End Slavery and Trafficking (ATEST), and leaders from the Congressional Human Trafficking Caucus and the Senate Caucus to End Human Trafficking, gathered last week for a virtual briefing and discussion about initiatives to combat human trafficking during the 117th Congress. The Trafficking Victims Protection Act (TVPA) is up for reauthorization this year, and the COVID-19 pandemic has created new stresses on federal programs that fight human trafficking and address its root causes.
In celebration of the tenth anniversary of its anti-trafficking campaign Baklas: Break Free from Labor Trafficking and Modern Day Slavery, Damayan Migrant Workers Association premiered its short film, Sherile, online. This is the first of three short films that Damayan has produced to spread awareness of the realities of labour trafficking and modern day slavery in New York City and other parts of the U.S..
GAATW (Global Allicance Against Traffic in Women) will host a webinar on 1 June (8pm ICT) on Trafficking in Minors: Complex Realities, based on the latest issue of Anti-Trafficking Review. The event will bring together experts, practitioners and academics to discuss the issues of child trafficking, migration and labour. Please register here to join.
In an interview, experts from Locate International explain that, for up to US$50,000, Vietnamese migrants can get the “VIP package” to Britain — flight, fake passport and even a lawyer — illegal, but safer than cheaper overland routes say the people smugglers who provide a menu of options for those trying to reach the UK.
A recent article looks at Taiwan’s lucrative fishing industry which has come under fire for subjecting its migrant workforce to forced labour and other abuses, despite the government’s promotion of the democratic island as a regional human rights beacon.
A Malawian national has testified in a human trafficking trial in the Johannesburg High Court, saying that he and his fellow workers were the victims of assault and abuse. The trial involves seven Chinese nationals who were arrested in 2019 and are accused of 160 charges including human trafficking, child labour, and a myriad of other labour law and human rights violations.
According to officials and migrants, a human trafficking operation has been exploiting Bangladeshi nationals by offering migration to Australia but instead trafficking them to countries including Brunei and Greece. The traffickers charge their victims around US$24,000.
Plan International USA is looking for a Labor Rights Technical Advisor for a six-month part-time assignment from June to December 2021, to support its SAFE Seas Project and FAIR Fish Project.
IJM is seeking two senior staff members to lead its research work on crimes involving forced labour/slavery (FL/S) and violence against women & children (VAW/C). Both positions are based remotely or at IJM headquarters in Washington, D.C.
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