Film about human trafficking comes to Croswell Opera House Aug. 24
ADRIAN — A film about the secret world of human trafficking based on real events that happened to teens in a Michigan high school is coming to Adrian.
There will be a reception for “Ring of Silence” at 5:30 p.m. followed by the film showing from 6 to 7:30 p.m. and a question-and-answer period with an expert panel from 7:30 to 8 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 24, at the Croswell Opera House, 129 E. Maumee St., Adrian.
This film is rated for PG-13 audiences so they can understand that the perpetrators look like attractive, young men and women in their school, like the kid on Instagram or Snapchat, or even like the guy next door.
“This film was created to passionately tell the stories of countless victims that have been trapped, bought and sold into the underground world of human sex trafficking. Witness the signs, the terror and manipulation that this business entails,” the film’s director, Michigander Nicole Bowers Wallace, said.
Free of charge seats are limited. The film is recommended for ages 14 and up. For more information or to reserve a seat, contact the Zonta Club of Lenawee at Zontacluboflenawee@gmail.com or 517-265-0041.
Human trafficking is a global crime that trades in people and exploits them for profit. People of all genders, ages and backgrounds can become victims of this crime, which occurs in every region of the world. Traffickers use violence, fraudulent employment agencies, and fake promises of education and job opportunities to trick, coerce and deceive their victims. The organized networks or individuals behind this lucrative crime take advantage of people who are vulnerable, desperate or simply seeking a better life.
Human trafficking is defined in the UN Trafficking in Persons Protocol as "the recruitment, transport, transfer, harbouring or receipt of a person by such means as threat or use of force or other forms of coercion, abduction, fraud or deception for the purpose of exploitation."
“Trafficking is about vulnerability and includes girls, boys, men and women. Usually, it’s someone within their sphere of influence who grooms these vulnerable young people. Vulnerable people seek love and acceptance where they can. Traffickers may falsely offer this false security. Parents need to continue to be vigilant on how they raise their sons and daughters on this topic,” co-facilitator of the Lenawee County Anti-Trafficking Coalition Laura Schultz Pipis said. “People are often unaware they are being groomed. The trafficker may initially pretend to be a romantic partner and blackmail their target into trafficking. It could be a family, friend or acquaintance who targets the vulnerable person.”
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In 2021, there were 10,359 trafficking situations reported to the Polaris-operated National Human Trafficking Hotline. In those situations, a total of 16,554 likely victims of trafficking were identified.
The top three types of trafficking reported in 2021 were escort services (10%); pornography (8%); and illicit massage, health and beauty (8%).
Trafficking victims are generally recruited by someone they know such as a family member or caregiver (33%), an intimate partner (28%), or an employer (22%). The internet was the top reported recruitment location (65%).
Recent migration or relocation was the most frequently reported risk factor or vulnerability identified, applying to just over half (54%) of all likely victims with a known risk factor/vulnerability. This also applied to 93% of likely victims of labor trafficking, according to the National Human Trafficking Hotline report.
The top types of exploiters identified in 2021 were employers (43%), those with a familial relationship to the victim (26%) and intimate partners (22%). Emotional abuse (28%), economic abuse (26%) and threats (23%) remained the most frequently reported methods of force, fraud and coercion experienced by likely victims.
Interaction with friends and family was the top reported access point. In 2021, friends and family were the access point for help for 43% of victims with an identified access point (3,317), according to the report.
The report’s data was generated based on information communicated to the National Human Trafficking Hotline via phone, email, online tip report, SMS or Webchat. The hotline cannot verify the accuracy of the information reported.
“Because of the nature of human trafficking, statistics are under reported. We know there are cases in every single county in the state of Michigan,” Pipis said. “Most victims of human trafficking are reluctant to come forward due to the violent nature of the human trafficking world. The justice system is difficult for human trafficking survivors to navigate. The Lenawee County Prosecutor’s Office has prosecuted cases in recent years. We are aware of local counselors actively working with human trafficking survivors.”
Amanda Davis Scott, clinical director of the Children’s Advocacy Centers of Michigan, and Patricia McDonald, co-facilitator of the Lenawee County Anti-Human Trafficking Coalition, will be the panelists answering questions after the film.
“If you see or hear something, say something. Also, young and vulnerable people need positive role models to mentor them to build their self-esteem and resilience against others who would take advantage of them,” Pipis said. “We recommend continuing to raise consciousness and awareness of this issue. The importance of positive and involved parenting cannot be stressed enough. Conscious raising and education are important. Discuss the reality of human trafficking with others. Support programs that help victims of trafficking.”
Human trafficking resources
Human trafficking victims needing help or those with tips can call the 24-hour, confidential National Human Trafficking Hotline at 888-373-7888, or text “Be Free” 233733.
To report suspected human trafficking to federal law enforcement, call 866-347-2423.
Individuals working in particular industries may be more likely to observe human trafficking by nature of their day-to-day job duties or surroundings. These include workers in law enforcement, the convenience retail industry, transportation industry, hospitality industry, youth caretakers and professionals, student leaders and faith-based community leaders. They can play a role in ending human trafficking by learning key indicators of the crime, raising awareness of human trafficking within a community or industry and reporting suspected trafficking incidents.
To find out about awareness trainings and educational resources for the prevention of human trafficking and protection of exploited persons, visit the U.S. Department of Homeland Security Blue Campaign website at dhs.gov/blue-campaign. Blue Campaign is a national public awareness campaign designed to educate the public, law enforcement and other industry partners to recognize the indicators of human trafficking and how to appropriately respond to possible cases.
To get involved or to donate, visit the Polaris Project website at polarisproject.org; contact the Lenawee County Anti-Trafficking Coalition at facebook.com/LenaweeantiHTCoalition, 517-264-6821 or lpipis@unitedwaymlc.org; and contact the Michigan Human Trafficking Task Force at mhttf.org or facebook.com/MHTTF.
This article originally appeared on The Daily Telegram: Human trafficking film showing Aug. 24 at Croswell Opera House
