Trafficking: Current News and Development

submitted by FALDEF interns

 

US 7-Eleven Stores Under Investigation for Allegedly Exploiting Filipino Employees 

Inquirer, GlobalNation, reported that several 7-Eleven convenience stores in Long Island, New York and Virginia are under investigation for allegedly exploiting Filipino immigrants under a scheme similar to that of a "modern-day plantation system" where their wages are withheld and their employment concealed under stolen identities.

Full article available at:

http://globalnation.inquirer.net/77969/us-7-11-stores-rapped-for-exploiting-filipinos#ixzz2WfWbkceN

------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Blue Campaign by Department of Homeland Security aims to combat human trafficking

 

The federal government is taking news steps to bring the crime of human trafficking to light and help victims of the often hidden crime.

The Department of Homeland Security aims to do this through the Blue Campaign, and will launch a logo, website and a mission statement. The effort also includes the distribution of posters, tip sheets and public service announcements about trafficking.

"It is such an insidious crime that is often not recognized enough," Secretary of Homeland Security Janet Napolitano told USA TODAY. "We want to bring it out of the shadows, go after the perpetrators, and we want to make sure the victims are taken care of."

 

Full article available at
http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2013/06/05/blue-campaign-by-dhs-aims-to-combat-human-trafficking/2389639/

 

Authorities launch Orlando human-trafficking task force

Florida has one of the highest instances of human trafficking in the country.

Orange County leads the state in the number of human trafficking cases referred.

Teenage girls who are trafficked into Orlando are often forced into prostitution.

 

Full article available at
http://articles.orlandosentinel.com/2013-06-03/news/os-human-trafficking-task-force-20130603_1_task-force-human-trafficking-pria-gunn

 

World-renowned boxer Manny Pacquiao joins fights against human trafficking

 

Manny Pacquiao has partnered with anti-trafficking organization Visayan Forum to help victims of human trafficking in the Philippines.

The organization, headed by human rights pioneer Cecilia Flores-Oeband, has helped more than 15,000 young girls since it began.

Cecilia and Visayan Forum run halfway houses for girls all over the country, four support centers for domestic workers and one safe house, a home for those worst affected.

Full article available at 

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2326102/Philippines-horror-child-sex-worker-exposed-boxer-Manny-Pacquiao-joins-fight-vile-trade.html#ixzz2VMp0CLkM 

 

Filipina threatened to return to the Philippines if she did not obey the rules of alleged human traffickers, court in Canada hears

Leticia Sarmento, a Filipina nanny, told a B.C Supreme Court that her employers threatened to send her back home to the Philippines if she complained about her 16-hours-a-day, seven-days-a-week work schedule in Vancouver.

Sarmiento testified that her employers repeatedly called her stupid in Chinese while poking her in the head.

She was never allowed to have private phone calls or leave the house without one of her employers accompanying her.

The trial is currently ongoing.

Full article available at

http://www.theprovince.com/news/Human+trafficking+trial+hears+nanny+fears+return/8463171/story.html

 

Human Trafficking Resources, News and Development are available at our website:
http://faldef.org/index.php/human-trafficking-resources