Stop Trafficking Louisiana

Have you watched the new WYES documentary TURNING THE TIDE: A STORY OF HELL, HEALING, AND HOPE? The film features a growing team of perhaps unlikely warriors that has mobilized to fight human trafficking in Louisiana, including First Lady Donna Edwards, a group of Catholic nuns running a secret healing center, and three heroic survivors turned advocates. The program is produced, written and narrated by Emmy Award-winning journalist Karen Swensen and directed, photographed and edited by Peabody Award-winning photojournalist Aaron Brownlee.

Watch the film and learn more by visiting www.wyes.org/turning-the-tide-a-story-of-hell-healing-and-hope/. Tune into WYES on Monday, October 30, 2023 at 9pm to watch it in prime time!

Did you know that Louisiana has an interactive dashboard for human trafficking data? Each year, the Office of Human Trafficking Prevention (OHTP) collects annual service provider data on victims served and publishes a report. This past year, the OHTP worked with Allies Against Slavery to visualize the data findings in a public-facing dashboard for easy access. View the data and report at www.alliesagainstslavery.org/lighthouse-data-louisiana or by visiting humantrafficking.la.gov!

Last week, the Louisiana Human Trafficking Prevention Commission and Advisory Board was joined by researchers from RTI International to discuss research on the human trafficking-natural disaster nexus in Louisiana. Members also learned about new advocacy services available statewide to minor victims of human trafficking, which is rolling out over the next few months!

Interested to learn more about disaster response, victim services, or research into human trafficking? Visit our online resource library at humantrafficking.la.gov!

Today is World Day Against Trafficking in Persons. This year, we join with the United Nations to Leave No One Behind. We are committed to working to end exploitation, to reach every victim-survivor of trafficking, and to protect vulnerable groups.

According to the United Nation’s estimates, globally responses to human trafficking, particularly in developing countries, appear to be deteriorating. Detection rates fell by 11% in 2020 and convictions fell by 27%, illustrating a worldwide slowdown in the criminal justice response to trafficking. The COVID-19 pandemic also changed the characteristics of trafficking, pushing it further underground and potentially increasing the dangers to victims by making the crime less likely to come to attention of authorities.

Reach every victim of trafficking, leave no one behind. Join the 2023 campaign by going to https://www.unodc.org/unodc/en/endht/get-involved.html.

This annual campaign aims to raise awareness of disturbing developments and trends identified by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) and calls on governments, law enforcement, public services, and civil society to assess and enhance their efforts to strengthen prevention, identify and support victims, and end impunity.

A U Visa, also called the U Nonimmigrant status, is another form of immigration relief available to victims of human trafficking. U Visas are granted to people who have suffered physical abuse or mental abuse as a result of having been a victim of certain qualifying criminal activity, including human trafficking, and who meet other eligibility requirements.

The U Visa was intended to strengthen the ability of law enforcement agencies to investigate and prosecute cases of domestic violence, sexual assault, trafficking of noncitizens and other crimes. The U nonimmigrant status, once granted, is valid for four years.

To apply for the U nonimmigrant status, should seek the advice of a qualified immigration attorney to aid in the forms and submission process. Learn more on the U Nonimmigrant Status and how to apply by going to https://www.uscis.gov/humanitarian/victims-of-criminal-activity-u-nonimmigrant-status.

There are three forms of immigration relief available to human trafficking victims. Today, we are highlighting Continued Presence. Stay tuned for a post about the other two forms of relief!

Continued Presence (CP) is a temporary immigration designation provided to individuals identified by law enforcement as victims of a “severe form of trafficking in persons.” CP allows trafficking victims to lawfully remain and work in the U.S. during the ongoing investigation and prosecution of their traffickers. CP recipients also receive federal benefits and services. CP is initially granted for two years and may be renewed in up to two-year increments. Trafficking victims with CP certification may also qualify to apply for a T Visa.

Learn more at https://www.ice.gov/doclib/human-trafficking/pdf/continued-presence.pdf.