Modern Sex Slavery Is Also In Michigan Foster Care

This is  a beautiful, moving piece of art by Free Press cartoonist Mike Thompson, introducing the powerful story of sex trafficking in Michigan.

There is only one part left out, of which many probably do not know about.  Sex trafficking happens in Michigan foster care, too.

Modern slavery: Sex trafficking hits home
 

Signs of trafficking

Know the red flags that may indicate sex trafficking. Michigan Attorney General Bill Schuette's office has compiled this list of signs of potential trafficking:

• Are there bruises or other signs of physical abuse?
• Are there signs of psychological abuse?
• Is the person submissive or fearful?
• Is the person being controlled?
• Is the person being deprived of food, water, sleep, medical care or other life necessities?
• Is the person allowed to be in public alone?
• Can the person freely contact friends or family?
• Is the person a minor engaged in commercial sex?
• Does a minor appear to be in a relationship with a much older person?
• Does the person fear his or her employer?
• Can the person leave their job situation if they want?
• Has someone threatened the person's family?
• Does the person have identification?
• Does the person know his or her own address?

To report a potential case of trafficking, contact the National Human Trafficking Center at 1-888-3737-888.

Resources

•The FBI's Parent’s Guide to Keeping Children Safe Online

• Michigan Human Trafficking Task Force, a 90-member agencies committed to identifying and rescuing victims of trafficking and prosecuting offenders.

•Protected Innocence Challenge, which grades each state's anti-sex trafficking laws. See Michigan's grade for 2015, and compare Michigan's laws to combat sex trafficking to those in other states.

•University of Michigan Human Trafficking Clinic, a  clinical law program solely dedicated to the issue of human trafficking.

• Alternatives for Girls, which focuses on helping homeless and high-risk girls and young women avoid violence and exploitation.   

• The Polaris Project, which focuses on helping trafficking survivors rebuild their lives.

• The Michigan Abolitionist Project,a grassroots organization that increases awareness through training, projects and community engagement.  Check the organization's calendar for community group meetings in your area.

• Women at Risk, International, which "unites and educates women to create circles of protection and hope around at-risk women and children" in Michigan and around the globe.

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