Sex Traffickers Target Young Females In Baltimore

Sex Traffickers Target Young Females In Baltimore
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November 21, 2019 / 2:51 PM
/ CBS Baltimore

BALTIMORE (WJZ) -- Several times a week, we share a story about a missing child, some whom may be runaways. Those posts get thousands of shares and many times the child is found safe. But even if the child is found, it doesn't mean they weren't harmed.
Of the more than 23,500 runaways or missing children reported to the National Center of Missing and Exploited Children in 2018, one in seven were likely victims of child sex trafficking.
If you watched WJZ's investigation this week on sex trafficking, you may have learned how the criminal enterprise is hidden in plain sight and how it's happening right here in Baltimore -- in our neighborhoods.
Children who are missing, and particularly runaways, are vulnerable and a prime target for sex traffickers. Whether the child lives in a group home, with foster parents, relatives or their biological parents -- when runaways leave -- they leave for a reason.
Angela Aufmuth, the Director of the Case Analysis Division of NCMEC, said the child could be leaving because of a tough home situation.
"They are looking for something that's missing in their life," Aufmuth said.
Traffickers look for anything that's missing in that child's life and will try to fill that need. The trafficker will fill emotional needs as well as give the child a place to stay, clothes on their back and food to win their trust.
Aufmuth said it's complicated situation for the child who may not even believe they are a victim.
"You have someone who's playing on their vulnerabilities and then the situation becomes complicated," she said. "If a child has run out of a situation that's pretty tough, they are still depending on that trafficker."
She said the kids don't see themselves as victims but instead believe they are in a relationship with someone -- girlfriend or boyfriend -- who's really the sex trafficker.
Moreover, when the child is located, it's tough for law enforcement to learn about what took place to build a case.
"We hear a lot from law enforcement or social services -- a child was victimized for quite some time and then they finally disclose [what happened]," said Aufmuth.
She said for authorities it's about asking the right questions and looking for physical differences, like did the child come back with cash or with a new cell phone or are their hair and nails done?
But sex traffickers are not only targeting runaways. They will recruit at places like bus stations and malls in addition to online.
Sex traffickers use social media like Instagram, Facebook and Snapchat and apps like Kik to reach out to children too. Since kids are super active on their phones, those sex traffickers can start grooming your child from the safety of your home.
So what should parents look out for?
Aufmuth said the key is communication.
Parents should be as involved as possible with what their children are doing online.
"If they see something from someone they don't know, ask questions about who they are communicating with and hanging out with," she said. "Really openly communicate with a child."
A sign that something might be off: if your child was open with you about their life and suddenly they are more secretive.
Also if they are hanging out someone a bit older and don't tell you details about how they met.
Teens and young adults feel like they have to be active online and have a presence. But it's more than just posting, Aufmuth said -- it's about having a sense of validation from the likes and comments they get on a post.
Social media and apps aren't only a tool to recruit, they are actually being used for trafficking children.
Shockingly, Aufmuth said kids are being sold on apps like Letgo: 'it's not your standard online ad providers."
Instagram and Facebook are also used for trafficking.
Recently, NCMEC has also seen trends of gangs shifting from selling weapons and drugs to selling kids.
"You can only sell a weapon or drugs one time," Aufmuth said. "You can sell a person over and over and over again, multiple times a day."
Aufmuth said if you believe a child is being trafficked, call local law enforcement.
"It's up to us around to pay attention, talk to the child and ask are you OK?" she added.
Victims should tell someone "I need help," or "someone is hurting me," or "I need to go to the hospital."
If you're in danger and cannot make a call, you can also text "Help" to 233733.
To report sex trafficking, go to CyberTipLine.org or call 1800-The-Lost 24 hours, 7 days a week.
For more resources on sex trafficking, go to MissingKids.org.

First published on November 21, 2019 / 2:51 PM

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Baltimore Sex Trafficking Lawyers

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Maryland is regularly recognized as a “hot spot” for human trafficking. According to the Maryland Human Trafficking Task Force , Maryland’s central location, proximity to airports, and major highways such as Interstate-95 and a large number of truck stops make it a prime target for traffickers.
The task force defines human trafficking as “fraudulently, forcibly, or coercively using another for purposes of exploitation.” Human trafficking is generally classified into two categories: sex trafficking and labor trafficking. While there are a number of laws that criminalize trafficking, few provide adequate restitution for a victim. Even if a trafficker is held criminally responsible for the unlawful exploitation of another person, it does not mean that a victim will receive any compensation for the extensive and permanent mental and physical injuries these victims suffer.
At Schlachman, Belsky, Weiner, & Davey, P.A., we provide experienced representation for victims of human trafficking. Our Baltimore sex trafficking lawyers are compassionate victims’ rights advocates who will get you the verdict or settlement you need to fully recover from the atrocities you experienced. If you or a loved one has been the victim of sex trafficking, contact our office at (410) 505-7542 or fill out our online contact form for a free, confidential consultation.
Research conducted by the National Human Trafficking Hotline (NHTH) indicates that sex trafficking is the most common form of human trafficking in Maryland. In 2019 alone, 187 human trafficking cases were reported in the state, according to the NHTH. It is estimated that thousands go unreported.
In an effort to increase the number of human traffickers prosecuted and provide increased protections for victims, Maryland recently passed several legislative measures in 2019.
The Child Sex Trafficking Screening and Services Act helps to provide additional resources for child human trafficking survivors in the state. As noted by the University of Maryland SAFE Center for Human Trafficking Survivors , there were over 501 reports of suspected child sex trafficking from 2013 to 2018, involving over 425 minor victims. Prior to this legislation, many victims areas of Maryland were not equipped to provide specialized services for young sex trafficking victims.
The Anti-Exploitation Act of 2019 helped to criminalize labor trafficking in the state and the Human Trafficking & Prostitution Offenses 2019 updated Maryland’s sex trafficking laws to ensure:
While Maryland continues to take concerted and important efforts toward recognizing sex trafficking survivors as criminal, it may not be enough. Few realize the lifelong impact that sex trafficking can have on an individual, including the continued need for therapy and counseling. Businesses, such as hotels, shopping center landlords, and other property owners can be held liable under Maryland law for allowing such acts to be committed on their premises.
Tragically, sex trafficking is a growing problem in Baltimore and throughout Maryland. Sex trafficking victims can be male or female, young or old, and can exist in any neighborhood regardless of wealth. Sex trafficking can involve anything that “fraudulently, forcibly, or coercively” causes an adult to engage in a commercial sex act. Sex trafficking a minor only requires that a person causes a person under the age of 18 to engage in a commercial sex act and does not require the use of force or fraud.
If you believe that a human sex trafficker has exploited you or a loved one, contact our office. We are, first and foremost, your advocate, always providing the compassionate representation you need to get through this difficult time. Our attorneys stand up for your rights and work hard to get you the compensation you deserve. Call us today at (410) 505-7542 to discuss your case.
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Audience at the Baltimore Brothers Community Center listen to important information at the Avoiding and Surviving Human/Sex Trafficking Crisis Awareness Seminar held Dec. 14.
Desmond Muhammad, a martial arts instructor, demonstrates self defensetechniques to women and girls at seminar.

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A standing room only crowd of over 100 people packed the Baltimore Brothers Community Center Dec.14, for the Avoiding and Surviving Human/Sex Trafficking Crisis Awareness Seminar to address this growing problem.
The panel was moderated by Student Minister Carlos Muhammad, host of Morgan State University WEAA Final Call Radio. He explained that sex trafficking began with the exportation of enslaved Black people from Africa. “The real true history of sex trafficking started with Black women. It’s something that many want to leave out or tiptoe around but that is the case and that’s the reality,” explained the local Nation of Islam representative.
The panel featured T. Ortiz Walker Pettigrew, anti-trafficking and exploitation coordinator for the Baltimore Child Abuse Center; Lauren Benjamin, human trafficking case manager at the Baltimore City Police Department and co-chair of the public awareness committee of the Maryland Human Trafficking Task Force; and Major Sabrina V. Tapp-Harper a former member of the Baltimore City Sheriff’s Office Domestic Violence Special Operations Education and Training Unit.

“Have you ever wanted to be a part of something? Trust someone you shouldn’t have, succumbed to peer pressure, wanted someone to notice you? These are things that make you vulnerable to sex trafficking. There is so much opportunity for sex trafficking, what’s lacking is a community response,” said Ms. Pettigrew.
According to Maryland human trafficking data, victims commonly arrive from all over the country and the world through airports like the Thurgood Marshall Baltimore Washington International Airport (BWI). Airports are also a breeding ground for human trafficking because traffickers know that “Johns” who travel to Maryland for brief meetings or conferences will engage in illicit sexual activities more willingly because of the anonymity they experience in a new location.
“A lot of kids runaway because they are running from something with no support or no one to help them understand what’s going on,” said Ms. Benjamin. “When we meet a runaway our first question is let’s check out what’s going on at home. A girl gets raped, violated and no one says anything about it. They don’t stick around for that. They leave.”
Runaways are one vulnerable category of young people, Major Tapp-Harper explained. “Baltimore is a bright spot for human predators. Young people are left unattended. That’s another reason why this city is such a bright spot.”
Student Minister Carlos Muhammad asked the question, “What does a predator look like?”
“A lawyer, a priest, a legislator, we are a society of wants. Do this and I will buy you a pair of Jordan’s. We are never satisfied,” said Ms. Benjamin.
Ms. Pettigrew added, “No one is excluded. It doesn’t matter how well you think you know someone. We’ve all seen corrupt pastors. If a person is having sex for basic needs, they are being trafficked. We have a responsibility to change the language. There is no such thing as a child prostitute. They are not of the age of consent. We must change the way we spread awareness.”
Who are the victims? “Every minor induced in commercial sex is being sex trafficked,” said Major Tapp-Harper. Ms. Benjamin added, “We need a safe environment to place our youth or they will run away again. We must help them transition. Sometimes it takes people years to recover. CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates) is a good program. However, there are too many programs that say when a child is 18, they have to leave. What does an 18 year old know to do for themselves? We look to parents as the first nurturers. If that’s broken, we have to build that back up.”
The panelists agreed those most at risk for being trafficked are runaways, unsupervised youth, undocumented immigrants, those under 18, young people who are isolated from family and friends who are looking for validation, those with a history of abuse, low income youth, those battling addictions and varying sexual identities, young people with development issues and those lacking basic needs. Desmond Muhammad, a martial arts instructor presented an interactive portion of the seminar, training women and girls in various self-defense techniques.
Dorothy Harrison brought her teen daughter Jamika to the seminar. “I wanted to know about sex trafficking and I wanted Jamika to hear about it too. We heard about white vans picking girls up and I was scared at first but I keep telling her to be aware of her surroundings as well as who she hangs with. I learned the most important thing I can do is let her know she is loved and keep the communication open between us,” said Ms. Harrison.
“I know girls who have older boyfriends who say they love them and then get caught up. I’ve heard some bad stories of what can happen when they start having sex for money just because they want the latest this and the greatest. It looks good on them when they come to school but what they had to go through to get it is not worth it. Things start off good but get bad fast,” added Jamika Harrison.
According to a new study by the Human Trafficking Institute in 2018 federal prosecutors in Maryland charged more defendants in trafficking cases than in all but one other federal district—the Southern District of New York.

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5 Ways Human Traffickers Recruit Victims

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Each year tens of thousands of men, women, and children fall victim to human trafficking in the United States. Human traffickers use numerous tactics, including deception, force, and coercion, to lure victims into the illegal trade. Today, more and more trafficking victims are being recruited online or via text message, making it even more challenging to track down the perpetrators.
At Schlachman, Belsky, Weiner, & Davey, P.A., we represent human trafficking victims in Baltimore and throughout Maryland. We know the unbearable toll human trafficking takes on its victims and their families. We are here to help you get justice for this atrocity. Contact our office at (410) 505-7542 for a free, confidential consultation.
According to the Polaris Project , a non-profit organization that focuses on responding to, preventing, and ending human trafficking, human traffickers prey on the world’s most vulnerable populations , luring them with false promises through romantic seduction or force.
Vulnerable individuals often targeted by traffickers include people with:
Traffickers look for individuals who may feel hopeless or are struggling with dependency. They often target people with financial instability or those in poverty. Traffickers prey on a person’s desperation, promising them independence and a way out. Their recruitment begins early and may involve several different members of the trafficking team.
One of the most effective ways traffickers recruit victims is by making false promises. They may offer romantic involvement or a job opportunity. They may give the person a feeling of security, giving them hope for a better future.
The top 5 recruitment tactics according to Polaris for sex trafficking:
Contrary to popular belief, sex traffickers do not only target women. Men, women, and children are all potential victims either lured or forced into sex trafficking . As reported by the Polaris Project, the LGTBQ community is particularly vulnerable to this form of trafficking.
Human traffickers use several methods to control their victims. In many cases, traffickers try to gain the trust of their victims. They provide a sense of structure or stability that they may be lacking or they fulfill a particular need.
A trafficker may offer financial assistance or make false promises of love and affection. During the early stages, a trafficker may entice a young victim with new clothes or educational opportunities. A single mother may think she is responding to a legitim
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