Declare it: Not Here! Human trafficking will NOT be tolerated in our communities.

Because human trafficking is the fastest growing crime in the world, we need to focus and educate more on Prevention, Protection, Prosecution and Partnerships in order for us to put an end to trafficking and offer assistance, justice, and restoration to those who have been victimized.

This was the focus of our latest conference here in Maine in November 2015: Not Here Presents: The Governor’s Summit on Human Trafficking, and we are grateful for everyone who joined us at this event at Point Lookout and participated in the work sessions on day two. 

Take action against injustice.  

Human trafficking IS happening here. In the US. In Maine. In our communities. We can ALL do something.  We can ALL use our time, talents, resources, and gifts to combat human trafficking right now, right where we live. Check out this video, created by an inspired group of compassionate and talented individuals who worked together to produce something remarkable: 

This video exists because a small group of concerned individuals came together to take action against injustice. They created something beautiful to shine a light into the darkness, to raise awareness, and to support the organizations and individuals working to combat human trafficking right here in our own communities. 

YOU are part of our network. YOU can help raise awareness and bring hope to victims. YOU can support the work of the many individuals working tirelessly to combat human trafficking, rescue victims, and restore lives. ONE may seem like a small number, but ONE person who chooses to do something can move us all forward together as we collaboratively work to protect the vulnerable from exploitation, and provide hope, healing, and justice to those caught in the web of human trafficking.

This video is the result of:

• • ONE inspired and compassionate woman in South Dakota, Pat Lloyd, who made a decision to do something impactful;
  • ONE national recording artist, Steve Azar, who took on writing, singing, and producing a powerful song to inspire a movement, raise awareness, and bring hope to the hopeless; 
  • ONE 15-year-old singer, Sophie Young, who makes her singing debut as Steve Azar’s duet partner in this song;
  • ONE Detective Sergeant in South Portland, Maine, Steve Webster, who has experienced first hand the challenges in getting victims off the streets and into safe environments for healing and recovery, and who was instrumental in producing the video and keeping the talent involved well connected; and
  • ONE talented Maine high school senior, Mike Rodway, who donated his videography skills and great amounts of time to a cause he cared about using local Maine talent to create a meaningful video for Steve Azar’s song. 

ONE is a powerful number. What will YOU do? Take a stand against injustice. Be a part of the discussion on facebook and twitter. Help us to spread awareness about human trafficking and help us raise much needed funds for victim aftercare by sharing this video, starting conversations, volunteering with organizations involved in the fight, and donating to our aftercare fund. 

Special Thanks… 

The Not Here Justice in Action Network would like to thank all the generous individuals who gave so much of their time and talent to create this inspirational song and video. For more information on their other work and projects, please visit:

• Steve Azar: Please visit Steve’s website for more information on his work. Connect with him on twitter and facebook.  “The Sky Is Falling” (Patti Jo’s Prayer) is NOW available on iTunes: here.
• Steve Webster: In addition to serving his community as a Detective Sergeant with the South Portland Police Department in Maine, Steve Webster is an Artist Manager for the Harry Nelson Artist Management company. Visit their facebook page to learn more.
  

What is human trafficking?

Human trafficking (HT) is also known as trafficking in persons (TIP). In short, human trafficking is modern day slavery. Trafficking is recognized as a crime under federal and international law and in the majority of states within the USA. Human Trafficking is a fast moving criminal activity that targets our most vulnerable members of society. Unlike street drugs or stolen items, which can only be sold once, a victim can be “sold” by a trafficker multiple times. Traffickers view their victims as commodities, not as human beings, with no regard to basic human rights. Trafficking is an entrepreneurial business for traffickers. Unfortunately, Maine was given a grade of “F” by a national advocacy group for its laws dealing with the sex trafficking of minors.  In a report released by the “Protected Innocence Initiative,” Maine was criticized for being one of four states that does not have a specific human trafficking law and one of ten states that does not have a specific sex trafficking law¹.  

What does a human trafficking victim look like? There isn’t one consistent “face” of a trafficking victim. Trafficked persons in the United States can be well educated, while others have no formal education. Men, women, and children are all represented among identified victims both globally and locally, and the socioeconomic background of victims also varies. This said, we do know some population groups are more likely to be trafficked due to the intrinsic vulnerabilities of their situations. For example, undocumented immigrants in the U.S. are highly vulnerable due to a combination of factors, including: lack of legal status and protections, language barriers, limited employment options, poverty and immigration-related debts, and social isolation.  They are often victimized by traffickers from a similar ethnic or national background, on whom they may be dependent for employment or a means of support. 

 
¹ Source: Sharedhope.org