So, I’d intended to send some of this information right after the forum, but it took a little while to pull it all together. Anyway, I’m including info on some of the local contacts and resources for getting informed and involved with the trafficking issues here in town (as promised a while back).  For one, here is a pdf of a publication by the Dept of Defense, detailing some of the problems here in Multnomah County as well as across the country: http://www.ncjrs.gov/pdffiles1/nij/225759.pdf

I thought it might be helpful to share with you folks interested, some of the details from my notes from the last OATH meeting as well as the meetings with Emmy Ritter, a social worker I’ve met through IJM.  I’ll try and detail as much as I can from these, for the purposes of sharing with others and perhaps coordinating efforts to get others (like those at Pearl) involved in local efforts.

Sept, 2009 (Oregonians Against Trafficking Humans) OATH meeting:
Rebecca Cooke from Transitions Global spoke on Portland/domestic facts:
• Pond’s moved to Cambodia to work with those involved in trafficking (from Hillsboro, OR)
• IJM considers their work the “Aftercare experts”
• Teach women/children basic life skills, specifically in their Cambodia location
• Moved back to PDX a couple of years ago, as PDX is the source of recruitment & site for exportation/importation of trafficking victims
• Much of this trafficking involves “working the circuit” across the US and Canada
• Since January- August, 35 kids were reported as runaways, 1/3 were approached by pimps and trafficked within 48 hours
• Many of teens are being approached at places like Lloyd Center
• Average age of those entering trafficking in the US is 12-14 years old
• 3-5 victims per week (both Oregon residents/international, was my understanding)
• DHHS only has 54 beds suitable for kids TOTAL in the country
• Here’s where the Transitions house will be most helpful
• Working with YWCA to have one built

Playground Documentary, Exec produced by George Clooney
http://www.playgroundpremiereatl.com/film-trailer/
Oct 2009: I also watched this film on exploited children at the Multnomah County courthouse, County Attorney present (as well as numerous state agencies, including county courts).  Amazing!  If you have the chance to see it, do!  It details about 8 years of Libby Spears work in documenting trafficking issues domestically.

I met up with Emmy Ritter, at this courthouse meeting. She works with New Options for Women, with Lifeworks.  Anyway, she and I met after watching the film and brainstormed for about 2 hours, various ways that we can get involved in some of the work that’s happening here in PDX. Here’s her information, in case you guys are interested in talking directly with her:
(503) 761-5272 ext. 6835
I told her we may have folks with an interest in volunteering…

Here are some needs:

•Need Mentors/ career guidance! (ie, teachers, others who can remind them of other alternatives)
•Need Shelter—not sure how all these women/children finding alternative places to live
•Need food (boxes, meals would be helpful)
•Need Money
•Need Advocacy (working with state & federal gov’t to raise awareness)
•Preventative work needed- need to be able to work with the school system to go into the middle/high schools, etc. to work on educating girls, helping them to understand how they might be propositioned (low self-esteem kids targeted); Keith Bickford, from law enforcement went into Reynold’s High to talk with girls/family
•Cross-disciplinary training
•Therapy is needed for these girls, suffering “Stockholm syndrome,” where they have developed a “trauma bond” with their perpetrator and won’t testify against them

PDX County (Present) Resources:
•Sexual Assault Resource Center: Assign Victim Advocate to follow through for years, even, on children, look to break “trauma bond
•Harry’s House – kids who’ve been on the streets, prostitution
•Catholic Charities – International Trafficking (looking at labor & sex trafficking abroad)

**So, I tried to list the contacts and helpful resources for anyone interested in knowing more about domestic issues. Presently, I’m applying for a grant to do some research on this issue in the Philippines and perhaps Vietnam, but I’m trying to stay connected with resources in both areas. If anyone is interested in doing some work in these areas, please let me know.