From December 2007 to March 2016, the National Human Trafficking Resource Center* hotline and BeFree Textline identified 1,300 potential victims from Latin America in cantina-related cases in 20 U.S. states and Puerto Rico. Deceived and enticed with false promises of good jobs or a better life, victims are lured to the U.S. by some of the most violent trafficking networks operating in the country and are forced to engage in commercial sex.

Polaris’s new report More than Drinks for Sale: Exposing Sex Trafficking in Cantinas and Bars in the U.S. details how these commercial-front brothels continue to operate largely unchecked by posing as traditional bars or nightclubs—and highlights the need to eradicate this crime and support its survivors.

*The NHTRC is now the U.S. National Human Trafficking Hotline.

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For years, we have been staring at an incomplete chess game, moving pieces without seeing hidden squares or fully understanding the power relationships between players. The Typology of Modern Slavery, our blurry understanding of the scope of the crime is now coming into sharper focus.

Polaris analyzed more than 32,000 cases of human trafficking documented between December 2007 and December 2016 through its operation of the National Human Trafficking Hotline and BeFree Textline—the largest data set on human trafficking in the United States ever compiled and publicly analyzed. Polaris’s research team analyzed the data and developed a classification system that identifies 25 types of human trafficking in the United States. Each has its own business model, trafficker profiles, recruitment strategies, victim profiles, and methods of control that facilitate human trafficking.

The post The Typology of Modern Slavery: Defining Sex and Labor Trafficking in the United States first appeared on Polaris.

The Case Basics

What can we learn?

• Agents and officials need training, support, and intelligence to help them recognize the signs of trafficking and effectively pursue cases.
• All states should require or encourage the posting of the National Hotline at bars and nightclubs.
• Regulatory agencies should work together to stop traffickers from registering as legitimate businesses and to identify questionable registrations or code infringements occurring on suspicious premises.

The post Cantina Sex Trafficking: The Maria Bonita Case first appeared on Polaris.

Polaris released a report yesterday that reveals how human trafficking at bars, nightclubs, and cantinas is widespread in the United States – and particularly among Hispanic and Latino communities. Some of the most violent criminal networks we’ve ever seen in this country recruit vulnerable young women and girls from Mexico, Central America, and other parts of Latin America with empty promises of good jobs in the U.S. But once here, the victims find themselves trapped in an underground sex economy operating out of cantina-type venues. Facing brutal threats, physical violence, sexual abuse, and other extreme forms of abuse by their traffickers, they live in constant fear.

A woman promised a well-paying restaurant job instead finds herself trapped in a cantina, where she’s expected to sleep with patrons every night or risk the life of her family in Mexico. A teenage girl is forced to down 10 or more drinks a night while encouraging customers to buy sex so she can fill her trafficker’s quota. A minor who refused to sell sex and is locked in a room where she’s raped and forced to take drugs until she gives in to her traffickers’ demands.

Unfortunately, these are just a few examples of the types of stories Polaris hears through its operation of the National Human Trafficking Resource Center (NHTRC)* hotline and BeFree Textline about this kind of trafficking. Our report, “More Than Drinks for Sale: Exposing Sex Trafficking in Cantinas and Bars in the United States,” paints a comprehensive picture of this issue based on hotline data from December 2007 to March 2016. During this period:

• Over 200 cases of trafficking involving Latina victims in U.S. bars and cantinas were reported to Polaris. These cases occurred in 20 U.S. states and Puerto Rico.

• Over 1,300 victims were identified. Ninety-six percent were female, and most were from Mexico and Central America.

• 63 percent of victims were minors when their exploitation first began.

In the same period, efforts to address human trafficking in cantinas have been limited to just a handful of well-known federal cases prosecuted in Houston. These cases help us understand how cantinas and bars operate – not only in Houston, but across the U.S. – and how we can put an end to this crime.

What’s the solution?

Federal and local authorities need more Spanish- and Portuguese-language resources to help talk to victims from Latin America who do not speak English. They also need better access to service providers and community leaders who can help work with victims who distrust law enforcement.

States should mandate the posting of the NHTRC hotline number in bars and nightclubs so victims can know where to turn for help.

State and local agencies should work to close the regulatory loopholes that make it easier for traffickers to operate cantinas.

You can also make a difference.

As a customer at a bar or cantina, you may not get to see what happens behind the scenes, but even you have eyes and ears where employees don’t.

Only 12 percent of the calls about trafficking in cantinas were made by victims. Many other calls were from friends or family members who were aware of the situation.

And we also get calls from everyday customers at bars or nightclubs who have noticed that something is wrong. They may observe that the workers are mostly female, seem extremely young, and are watched closely by managers. In other situations, callers have seen men going in and out of private back rooms with minors. Customers who notice and report the signs of human trafficking in these venues can help victims get out and make it harder for traffickers to get away with their crimes.

Learn to recognize the signs. If you’re not sure if a suspicious activity is really human trafficking, you can call the NHTRC (1-888-373-7888) and our hotline advocates will help assess the situation.

Here are some of the red flags you can look for as a customer at a bar or cantina:

• There is evidence of verbal threats or physical violence.

• Employees seem fearful, nervous, anxious, or submissive.

• Customers move to back rooms with employees.

• Employees appear to be constantly watched by managers.

To learn more about this form of human trafficking and how to spot the signs, check out our new report and interactive map.

*The NHTRC is now the U.S. National Human Trafficking Hotline

The post Fighting Sex Trafficking of Latinas in U.S. Cantinas and Bars first appeared on Polaris.

WASHINGTON, D.C. (8 de septiembre, 2016) – Polaris, organización líder en la lucha global para erradicar la esclavitud moderna y restaurar la libertad de los sobrevivientes, publicó hoy un informe que deja al descubierto la economía sexual clandestina que opera en bares y cantinas en los Estados Unidos y explota a mujeres y niñas provenientes de América Latina. El informe, titulado Más que bebidas a la venta: Desvelando las redes de trata sexual en bares y cantinas estadounidenses describe la forma en que estas casas de cita con fachada comercial continúan operando sin ningún control, bajo la apariencia de bares o clubes nocturnos comunes. Mientras tanto, sus víctimas se encuentran atrapadas en una industria caracterizada por unos niveles inimaginables de violencia y explotación.

Entre diciembre 2007 y marzo 2016, Polaris identificó a 1,300 víctimas posibles de casos relacionados con cantinas en 20 estados de EE. UU. y Puerto Rico a través de la operación de la línea de acceso directo del Centro Nacional de Recursos para la Trata de Personas y de la línea de mensajes de texto BeFree. Durante el mismo período, los esfuerzos para combatir la trata de personas en establecimientos tipo cantina se limitaron a unos pocos casos federales emblemáticos que se persiguieron en Houston.

Engañadas y seducidas con falsas promesas de buenos empleos, amor o una vida mejor, las víctimas son convencidas para trasladarse a los Estados Unidos y posteriormente forzadas a vender sexo. Poderosas redes criminales y tratantes independientes utilizan amenazas, violencia física, abuso sexual y otros medios severos de abuso para controlar a sus víctimas. Asimismo, el informe revela que, frecuentemente, los oficiales policiales y de inmigración pasan por alto los signos de trata en cantinas – y por ende una oportunidad crucial para ayudar a las víctimas a escapar.

Para descargar el informe en español haga clic aquí.

“Todos los días en Estados Unidos, mujeres y niñas se ven atrapadas en redes criminales que venden sexo en bares y cantinas delante de nuestras narices,” declaró Bradley Myles, director ejecutivo de Polaris. “Si queremos frenar la victimización de mujeres latinas que se registra en estos establecimientos altamente abusivos, tenemos que cambiar la ecuación para los tratantes, desmantelando su modelo de negocio y haciendo que el delito sea de alto riesgo y que genere pocas ganancias.”

“Las comunidades solidarizan cuando llegan a entender la terrible explotación que sufren las víctimas de trata sexual en cantinas – pero necesitan estar equipadas para saber cómo responder,” subrayó My Lo Cook, directora de la Iniciativa Estratégica, México, de Polaris. “Los oficiales policiales necesitan capacitación y recursos para poder identificar más víctimas y perseguir casos de manera efectiva. Al mismo tiempo, los proveedores de servicios deben estar equipados para responder al complejo trauma que han vivido estas sobrevivientes de una forma que respete su contexto cultural y lingüístico único.”

Más que bebidas a la venta se basa en datos obtenidos de las interacciones de Polaris con individuos que se ponen en contacto con la línea de acceso directo del Centro Nacional de Recursos para la Trata de Personas (NHTRC) y con la línea de mensajes de texto BeFree. El informe examina varios modelos de negocio específicos utilizados para la trata sexual en cantinas. A continuación algunos de los hallazgos más importantes del informe:

¿Quiénes son las víctimas? Son mayormente mujeres jóvenes o niñas de América Latina.

• El 96% de las víctimas posibles eran mujeres o niñas, principalmente provenientes de México o América Central
• El 63% eran menores de edad. Los tratantes buscan deliberadamente a niñas.

¿Quiénes son los tratantes? Suelen ser hombres latinos pero también pueden ser ciudadanos de los Estados Unidos.

• El 67% de los tratantes eran hombres, pero cerca de un tercio eran mujeres.
• El 70% eran de origen latino y el 35% eran ciudadanos de los Estados Unidos.

Medios de control: Con frecuencia, los tratantes utilizan amenazas, abuso físico y abuso sexual para controlar a las víctimas.

• Al 62% de las víctimas, se les confinó o aisló de alguna forma.
• El 51% reportaron abuso económico – tal como la imposición de deudas abusivas o el robo de sueldos – pero la cifra real podría ser mucho más alta.

Reclutamiento: Los tratantes engañan a mujeres y niñas vulnerables que huyen de la violencia en sus países o que buscan mejores oportunidades, para que entren en situaciones violentas de trata en los Estados Unidos.

• Al 34% de las víctimas, se les reclutó mediante tácticas relativas al tráfico humano. Las víctimas no siempre son conscientes de que están migrando de forma ilegal.
• Al menos el 29% recibieron ofertas de trabajo fraudulentas y sólo descubrieron la verdadera naturaleza del trabajo después de llegar al lugar.

Puntos de Acceso: Las víctimas tienen acceso ocasional a personas y agencias que les podrían ayudar.

• El 31% de las víctimas indicaron que los compradores de sexo representaban una de las oportunidades principales para obtener ayuda.   
• El 14% interactuaron con la policía o con oficiales de inmigración, pero en su mayoría, este contacto no dio como resultado su identificación como víctimas ni su rescate.
• El 19% reportaron haberse incorporado al sistema de atención sanitaria, pero la cifra real podría ser mucho más elevada.

Más que bebidas a la venta expone medidas específicas que varios actores relevantes pueden tomar para combatir la trata sexual en cantinas y bares en los Estados Unidos, así como en muchos otros lugares. Polaris hace hincapié en la necesidad urgente de una cooperación bilateral entre las agencias gubernamentales y las autoridades de procuración de justicia al igual que entre proveedores de servicios y comunidades en ambos lados de la frontera.

Para obtener ayuda o denunciar un posible caso de trata, llame al Centro Nacional de Recursos para la Trata de Personas al 1-888-373-7888 o envíe un mensaje de texto a Polaris escribiendo el texto HELP a “BeFree” (233733).

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Sobre Polaris
Polaris es una organización líder en la lucha global para erradicar la esclavitud moderna. Polaris lleva este nombre en honor a la Estrella del Norte que sirvió de guía para los esclavos hacia la libertad en los Estados Unidos. Polaris se esfuerza en desmantelar sistemáticamente las redes de trata de personas que roban a los seres humanos sus vidas y su libertad. Polaris utiliza un modelo integral en que todo nuestro trabajo gira en torno de las víctimas —ayudamos a  restaurar la libertad de los sobrevivientes, evitar más víctimas y aprovechar los datos y la tecnología para perseguir a los tratantes dondequiera que estos operen. Aprenda más visitando la página www.polarisproject.org.

The post La Trata Sexual de Latinas Florece en Cantinas y Bares de los Estados Unidos first appeared on Polaris.

WASHINGTON, D.C. (Sept. 8, 2016) – Polaris, a leader in the global fight to eradicate modern slavery and restore freedom to survivors, released a report today shedding light on an underground sex economy that is operating out of U.S.-based cantinas and bars and is exploiting young women and girls from Latin America. The report, More than Drinks for Sale: Exposing Sex Trafficking in Cantinas and Bars in the U.S., details how these commercial-front brothels continue to operate largely unchecked by posing as traditional bars or nightclubs. Meanwhile, their victims are trapped in an industry characterized by unimaginable violence and exploitation.

From December 2007 to March 2016, Polaris identified 1,300 potential victims from Latin America in cantina-related cases in 20 U.S. states and Puerto Rico through its operation of the National Human Trafficking hotline and Befree Textline. In the same period, federal law enforcement prosecuted several such cases in Houston, but much more work is needed to end this kind of trafficking.

Deceived and enticed with false promises of good jobs, love, or a better life, victims are lured to the U.S. and forced to engage in commercial sex. Powerful criminal networks and individual traffickers use brutal threats, physical violence, and other severe forms of abuse to keep their victims compliant. The report reveals how, too often, law enforcement and immigration officials miss the signs of trafficking in cantinas – and a critical opportunity to help victims get out.

Click here to download the report.

“Every day in the U.S., young women and girls are held prisoner by criminal networks that sell sex in cantinas and bars right in our backyards,” said Bradley Myles, CEO of Polaris. “If we want to stop the victimization of Latina women in these highly abusive venues, we have to change the equation for traffickers by disrupting the business model and making the crime high-risk and low-profit.”

“Once communities understand the horrific exploitation victims of sex trafficking in cantinas experience, of course they want to end it – but they need to know how,” said My Lo Cook, director of Polaris’s Strategic Initiative, Mexico. “Law enforcement need training and resources to identify more victims and effectively pursue cases, and service providers need to be equipped to respond to the unique trauma experienced by these victims in a way that is culturally and linguistically competent.”

More than Drinks for Sale is based on data gleaned from Polaris’s normal interactions with individuals contacting the National Human Trafficking Resource Center (NHTRC) hotline and BeFree Textline. The report looks at several specific business models in cantina-based sex trafficking throughout the U.S. Key findings include:

Who are the Victims? Victims are overwhelmingly young women or girls from Latin America.

• 96 percent of potential victims were female, typically from Mexico or Central America.
• 63 percent were minors. Traffickers in cantinas are eager to target young girls.

Who are the Traffickers? Traffickers are typically Latino males and may also be U.S. citizens.

• 67 percent of traffickers were male, but nearly a third were women.
• 70 percent were of Latin American descent, and at least 35 percent were U.S. citizens.

Means of Control: Threats, physical abuse, and sexual abuse are rampant in cases involving cantinas and bars. Traffickers often use multiple tactics to control their victims.

• 62 percent of potential victims were confined or physically isolated in some way.
• 51 percent reported economic abuse – including wage theft or the imposition of unattainable debts – but the real figure is likely much higher.

Recruitment: Traffickers trick and lure vulnerable young women and girls fleeing violence in their home countries or seeking better opportunities into violent trafficking situations in the U.S.

• 34 percent of potential victims were recruited through smuggling-related tactics. But some victims may not even realize they are crossing the border illegally.
• At least 29 percent received fake job offers, only learning the real nature of the work on arrival.

Access Points: Victims occasionally have access to people and agencies who could help them.

• 31 percent reported commercial sex clients as a primary point of access to help.
• 14 percent interacted with law enforcement or immigration officials, but in most cases, this contact did not lead to their identification as victims.
• 19 percent reported accessing health care services, but the real figure is likely higher.

More than Drinks for Sale outlines specific steps various stakeholders can take to fight sex trafficking in U.S. cantinas and bars, as well as in a broad range of venues. Polaris stresses the urgent need for bilateral cooperation between government agencies and law enforcement, and between service providers and community partners on both sides of the border.

The post Sex Trafficking of Latinas Flourishes in U.S. Cantinas and Bars first appeared on Polaris.

Thousands of women and girls from Mexico are forced into an underground sex economy in both Mexico and the United States. Traffickers can be powerful criminal networks or individuals, like employers, romantic partners, or coyotes. Some victims may be trafficked by their own families.

The women are often economically vulnerable and recruited through false promises of jobs, love, and a better life in the United States. After they have been transported to the the U.S., however, their traffickers force them to engage in commercial sex in residential brothels, cantinas, dancing bars, and through escort services.

Many victims are vulnerable because they may not speak the language, might not have access to a legal passport or work permit and often lack financial resources. Their traffickers control them through threats to themselves or their families, deception, intimidation, and debt bondage. Without resources and living in fear, these women and girls are trapped.

But human trafficking is a crime that happens in countries across the world and in every state in America. Countless victims have been forced to endure horrific circumstances in a variety of venues.

Read this case and you’ll understand

In January of 2015, a man from Mexico was charged for his role in operating a sex trafficking ring in southern Florida. This organization was not just your average band of criminals; it was a family-run operation. The defendant was just one of 16 defendants, including six family members, who have been convicted of participating in the same crime, with court dates stretching back to 1998.

According to federal prosecutors, Rafael Alberto Cadena-Sosa admitted that he, along with other family members, tricked women and girls—some as young as 14—into coming to the United States using false promises of legitimate jobs. The Cadena family illegally smuggled women and girls into the U.S., and afterwards forced them to engage in commercial sex in order to pay off a debt that the family imposed. The Cadenas used brutal physical force and violence, sexual assaults, and threatened death and bodily harm to the victims and their families if they did not cooperate. The victims were forced to have sex for money 12 hours a day, six days a week, and had to give all of the money to the traffickers in order to pay off the supposed smuggling fee that the traffickers had imposed. If a victim tried to run away, Cadena-Sosa and other family members would search for her and subject her to beatings and rapes when she was found.

Cadena-Sosa, was sentenced to 15 years in prison and was ordered to pay $1,261,563 in restitution to 16 different victims.

So, why should this be a top priority?

All forms of human trafficking are horrendous. And these situations are appallingly cruel. Traffickers prey on innocent women and girls who are in search of what many of us seek: a better life. The number of times these victims are forced to have sex on a daily basis reaches an excruciating and torturous volume. And the methods of control are exceptionally severe and violent. The victims are robbed of their freedom, and continually face immense amounts of physical and emotional trauma.

“No human being should have to endure the violence and brutality these young women and girls suffered at at the hands of the Cadena organization,” said Acting Assistant Attorney General Vanita Gupta for the Civil Rights Division of the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ).

Unfortunately, the Cadenas are not the only sex traffickers who have lured vulnerable Mexican women and girls and enslaved them in the United States. Cadena-Sosa was prosecuted by the Human Trafficking Prosecution Unit (HTPU) as part of a Bilateral Human Trafficking Enforcement, a partnership between the U.S. DOJ and Department of Homeland Security and Mexican law enforcement that began in 2009. As of May 2015, 170 defendants like Cadena-Sosa  have been prosecuted in U.S. federal court and 200 victims have been rescued.

That’s why we’re working to eradicate these networks. We’re developing comprehensive and data-driven strategies that will disrupt the circumstances that allow these criminals to operate, while simultaneously building up effective services for survivors on both sides of the border.

Learn more about our Sex Trafficking from Mexico initiative here.

*The NHTRC is now the U.S. National Human Trafficking Hotline.

Photo credit: Gary J. Wood / Flickr

The post Thousands of Women from Mexico are Forced to Sell Sex in the U.S. We Need to End It. first appeared on Polaris.