H.A.V.E.N. Update
By Cathleen Osborne-Gowey (Program Admin – Crime Victim Advocate) COsbornegowey@estoo.net
Program Update:
Hello all –
Gracious times have been trying for everyone haven’t they? Our program has worked this past month to remind folks that our services are consistently here. We’re continuing to secure grant funding to ensure consistent care to our community and providing virtual outreach. This month we’re focusing on awareness toward human trafficking in our state. Did you know human trafficking is a large issue for Native communities and the U.S. as a whole – even here in Oklahoma?
What is Human Trafficking and Does it Happen In Oklahoma?
“Human trafficking is a crime involving force, fraud, or coercion to compel a person to perform labor, services, or commercial sex, human trafficking disproportionately affects American Indians and Alaska Natives. Human trafficking erodes personal dignity and destroys the human spirit.”
According to Oklahoma’s Commission on the Status of Women , “Oklahoma’s central location is believed to play a major role in trafficking cases; with its three major interstate highways, I-35, I-40, and I- 44, Oklahoma cities are on major human trafficking routes throughout all ports, north, east, and west, providing a crossroads to human trafficking,” (Human Trafficking, 2017)
January was Human Trafficking Awareness month – it’s a time to focus on the issue and raise awareness. Human trafficking happens in all 50 states and happens to Native communities at an alarming rate. Have you ever been in a casino or hotel and wondered about the young girl who you noticed didn’t make eye contact or talk and the man with her spoke for her? Below is a list of “signs” to look for. Remember, human trafficking doesn’t always come in the form you think it will. Learn the signs and if you SEE SOMETHING SAY SOMETHING!
Information on how to recognize the signs of trafficking (available at: traffickingresourcecenter.org/what-human-trafficking/recognizing-signs).
Signs include:
· Is not free to leave or come and go as he/she wishes
· Is in the commercial sex industry and has a pimp / manager
· Was recruited through false promises concerning the nature and conditions of his/her work
· High security measures exist in the work and/or living locations (e.g. opaque windows, boarded up windows, bars on windows, barbed wire, security cameras, etc.)
· Shows signs of physical and/or sexual abuse, physical restraint, confinement, or torture
· Is not in control of his/her own money, no financial records, or bank account
· Is not in control of his/her own identification documents (ID or passport)
· Is not allowed or able to speak for themselves (a third party may insist on being present and/or translating)
· Lack of knowledge of whereabouts and/or of what city he/she is in
· Loss of sense of time
Human trafficking doesn’t always look like you think it might. Many who have been trafficked don’t realize that’s what happening to them and see it more as they’re “helping out a boyfriend”. It isn’t until after they’ve been removed from the situation that they realize they were trafficked, and their trafficker wasn’t their boyfriend at all.
Haven has services and resources available to help. We can provide advocacy and support, emergency services, provide funding for counseling and mental health services specific for victims of human trafficking and sexual assault, as well as refer to shelter.
If you see something – say something – it’s the only way we’ll make real change.
Haven advocates for all victims of crime. If you have questions, please contact HAVEN and talk with one of our advocates about how we can help and what services Haven can provide.
If you are able please call or see the messaging links above:
Haven Office: 918-554-2836
Text Line: 918.533.3070
Crime Victim Advocate: 541.602.0616
Program Website: https://havenprogram.com/
Program Email: havenprogram@estoo.net
Facebook: HAVEN Tribal Program, Twitter: @ProgramHaven, Instagram: HAVENTRIBALProgram.
Our advocates are here to help!
