Taller Virtual de Preparacion y Planificacion de Desastres

July 20, 2021, 6 pm – 7 pm

Antes de el Taller tienes que bajar ZOOM en el telefono o la computadora.

Aqui: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83192684498

Meeting ID: 831 9268 4498

Greater New Orleans Human Trafficking Task Force Catholic Charities Diocese of Baton Rouge Disaster Operations

Aprender lo Siguiente:

·       Desastres naturales, sus efectos y como responder

·       Planificación de refugios y albergues

·       Planificación de la comunicación con los respondedores

·       Construcción de un kit y plan de preparación para emergencias

·       Salud conductual para las víctimas y los respondedores

·       Vínculo entre el trafico de humanos y los desastres

Virtual Disaster Preparedness and Planning Workshop

July 20th, 2021, 6 pm – 7 pm Register in advance for this meeting:

https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZ0kde2gpjMtG9atUFuAmeTkQuO_a02Ncuue  

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.

Greater New Orleans Human Trafficking Task Force Catholic Charities Diocese of Baton Rouge Disaster Operations Learn about the following:

· Natural Disasters, Their Effects, and the Response

· Shelter Planning

· Communication Planning with Responders

· Building an Emergency Preparedness Kit and Plan

· Behavioral Health for Victims, and Responders

· Link Between Human Trafficking and Disasters

"Strangulation: A Hidden Consideration" training

The Greater New Orleans Human Trafficking Task Force in partnership with the New Orleans Family Justice Center is offering: "Strangulation: A Hidden Consideration" training. The training is Tuesday, July 13, 2021, from 10 am to 12 noon, CST, and will be hosted virtually. Registration information is below.  

We are very pleased Andrew (Andy) Mahoney, MSN  RN  NPD-BC  SANE-A, and creator of the New Orleans Family Justice Center forensic nursing program, is the featured instructor.

Please register in advance for this meeting:
https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZUudeqtpjsuGt0KArjDldmkpUa-uKGz-Tcy

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.

Cancelled: Human Trafficking training (3.0 hrs ABMDI & ANCC COA)

The St. Tammany Parish Coroner, Dr. Charles Preston and the Louisiana Organ Procurement Agency present in partnership with the Greater New Orleans Human Trafficking Task Force (GNOHTTF) "Human Trafficking" training approved for 3.0 hrs ABMDI & ANCC COA.

The training is Friday, July 9, 2021, from 9am to 12 noon, CST, at the Louisiana Organ Procurement Agency. Located at 68190 HWY 190 Service Road, Covington, Louisiana 70433.

We are very pleased Deborah Keller St. Germain, DNP, RN, SANE-A CEN, a regionally recognized expert in human trafficking, and the GNOHTTF Education Workgroup Chair, is the featured instructor. Feel free to contact Chris Knoblauch, at (985) 781 - 1150, or cknoblauch@stpcoroner.org.

Human Trafficking: Understanding the Barriers to Healthcare and the Effects on TB Case Management

Wednesday, May 19, 2021, at 2:00 pm, EST/ 1:00 pm CST

This webinar discusses the impact of human trafficking on the health of individuals being trafficked, with emphasis on the treatment of TB.

After completing this webinar, participants will be able to:

·       Identify common warning signs associated with individuals being trafficked

·       Describe strategies used to ensure TB treatment completion

·       Identify some barriers to healthcare for victims of human trafficking and how that hinders the diagnosis and treatment of TB

Presenters

Rachel Kappler, MPH, BSN, Public Health Nurse, Garfield County Public Health, Rifle, Colorado; and, Maureen Murphy-Weiss, BSN, RN, Director, Ben Franklin TB Program, Columbus, Ohio

Moderator

Patricia Woods, RN, MSN, TB Nurse Consultant, New Jersey Department of Health, Trenton, New Jersey

Registration: https://www.pathlms.com/tbcontrollers/courses/30445

Conference on Autism and Human Trafficking on April 28, 2021

Free for Life has created prevention curriculum alongside the Emory Autism Center highlighting the overlap between Autism Spectrum Disorder and Human Trafficking, and will host a virtual and free/ open to anyone -- Conference on Autism and Human Trafficking on April 28, 2021, during Autism Awareness Month.

During this Conference, the audience will learn about the experience of autistic individuals transitioning into adulthood, the risks and vulnerabilities related to human trafficking, and the cross-section between the autistic population and trafficking dangers. Conference attendees will learn how to recognize and feel empowered to respond to potentially exploitative situations. The sessions have been created by autistic adults, professionals in anti-human trafficking, and experts on autism.

Registration link: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_8k-GwBvoSker_yTWWR_rYA

Covid-19 Risk and Response: Impacts and Mitigations for Modern Slavery Victims and Survivors

Registration for COVID19 Research Briefing
April 8, 2021 // 12:30 - 2pm EDT

FREE EVENT // REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED

PLEASE REGISTER BELOW AND YOU WILL BE SENT A LINK TO THE MEETING.

Survivor Alliance, in collaboration with the Rights Lab at the University of Nottingham, Polaris and United Way Worldwide, warmly invites survivors of human trafficking & the NGOs/agencies that support survivors to join a conversation about the ongoing impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on survivors of human trafficking. 

This participatory event will bring together survivors of human trafficking, and organisations that support survivors, to share experiences about the impact of COVID-19 to date, and discuss ideas on how to address ongoing and future challenges caused by the pandemic.

This event forms part of an ongoing research project led by the Rights Lab at the University of Nottingham in collaboration with the Survivor Alliance to understand the risks and impacts of COVID-19 for survivors of human trafficking and modern slavery. Researchers will provide a brief overview of the research findings to date at the event before asking participants to break into discussion groups.

Registration link:https://www.survivoralliance.org/covid19usa

For more information link: https://www.nottingham.ac.uk/research/beacons-of-excellence/rights-lab/research-projects/covid-19-risk-and-response-impacts-and-mitigations-for-modern-slavery-victims-and-survivors.aspx

Documenting ICD Codes and Other Sensitive Information in Electronic Health Records

HEAL Trafficking released guidelines for documenting human trafficking ICD codes and other sensitive information in electronic health records, in partnership with the International Centre for Missing and Exploited Children.

To access this resource, see this link: https://healtrafficking.org/2021/02/documenting-icd-codes-and-other-sensitive-information-in-electronic-health-records/

Healing & Accountability in Sexual Harm

In honor of Sexual Assault Awareness Month, the Accountability Working Group invites you to a 4 week webinar series. We know not all sexual harm is the same. Come learn about various intervention approaches with those who cause sexual harm. For more information see the Louisiana Victim Outreach Program at https://www.lavo.info/

Webinars are hosted on April 6, April 13, April 20, and April 27, 2021, at 2:00 pm, CST

Registration Link: https://ladoc-adm.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_bAozC4_VS068ywnWaQss8Q

The Center for the Study of Human Trafficking and Modern Slavery

March 2021 Lunch and Learn Series

March 1, 2021, 12 Noon EST/ 1pm CST: Human Trafficking in the Fishing Industry: Outlaw Ocean with Ian Urbina. For more information: https://events.ucf.edu/event/2038868/human-trafficking-in-the-fishing-industry-i-outlaw-ocean-with-ian-urbina/

If you missed the March 1, 2021, presentation, you can find the recording at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N-_aS8xdsCk&feature=youtu.be

March 9, 2021, 12 Noon EST/ 1pm CST: Human Trafficking in the Fishing Industry II: Reporting by DOJ’s Taskforce on Human Trafficking. For more information: https://events.ucf.edu/event/2038912/human-trafficking-in-the-fishing-industry-ii-reporting-by-dojs-taskforce-on-human-trafficking/

March 29, 2021, 12 Noon EST/ 1pm CST: Conscious Consumers: Customs and Border Protection’s Role in Preventing Importation of Goods Made with Forced Labor. For more information: https://events.ucf.edu/event/2029612/conscious-consumers-customs-and-border-protections-role-in-preventing-importation-of-goods-made-with-forced-labor/

Report: Listening Sessions on Men and Boys Meeting Minutes

In response to recommendations from the U.S. Advisory Council on Human Trafficking, the Office on Trafficking in Persons (OTIP) at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services funded training and technical assistance activities to increase attention on men and boys as an underserved population. OTIP established a technical working group of subject matter experts and implemented subsequent listening sessions through its National Human Trafficking Training and Technical Assistance Center (NHTTAC).

Two listening sessions held in September 2020 provided a forum for attendees to use the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) social-ecological model to create a framework on trafficking of men and boys. The first session explored risk factors and barriers to accessing services. The second session built on the first, exploring protective and resiliency factors to inform enhanced services for men and boys.

The Meeting Minutes can be retrieved at: https://nhttac.acf.hhs.gov/resource/report-listening-sessions-men-and-boys-meeting-minutes

EJ and Natural Disasters Town Hall: Gulf Coast Region

Environmental Justice and Natural Disasters/COVID-19 Virtual Town Hall Meeting: Gulf Coast Region. Hosted by the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences.

The purpose of this Town Hall Meeting is to gain a better understanding of how natural disasters and COVID-19 impact minority, low-income, overburdened, and underserved communities, and how the federal government can better provide support to these communities to prepare and respond to their needs before, during, and after natural disasters.

Wednesday, February 24, 2021
6:30 – 8:30 p.m. EST / 5:30 – 7:30 p.m. CST
Virtual Event

For more information and registration link, please visit: https://tools.niehs.nih.gov/wetp/events.cfm?id=2613

Trauma-Informed Patient Care and Services Training on February 10, 2021

This Wednesday 2/10 12:00-2:00pm via ZOOM, Children's Hospital will host their next virtual human trafficking training. Child sex trafficking survivor and national speaker, Holly Austin Gibbs, will train on "Trauma-Informed Patient Care and Services." The training will count for nurse and social work continuing education.

When: Feb 10, 2021 12:00 PM Central Time (US and Canada)

Register in advance for this meeting:

https://chnola.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJUucu2qpzwoG9zhY1arMECKV08dtg4jIcVo

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.

Quarterly Task Force Meeting, Rescheduled to February 25, 2021, at 9:30 am

Join the Greater New Orleans Human Trafficking Task Force for its Quarterly Meeting Thursday, February 25, 2021, from 9:30 am to 11:30 am CMT.

Register for the Quarterly Meeting on ZOOM at: https://zoom.us/meeting/register/tJAqceurqzotEtTf9G5RSpJOusp7lcbRjXOu

Human Trafficking and the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Public Health Perspective

Policy Innovation

Link: https://delta87.org/2021/01/human-trafficking-covid-19-pandemic-public-health-perspective/

Jordan Greenbaum | Medical Director, International Centre for Missing and Exploited Children

Laura T. Murphy | Professor of Human Rights and Contemporary Slavery, Sheffield Hallam University

Hanni Stoklosa | Executive Director of HEAL Trafficking

HEAL Trafficking

The global pandemic of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has rendered millions of adults and children vulnerable to exploitation and human trafficking, both directly through the health impact of the virus and indirectly through societal efforts to control viral spread. Death from COVID-19 leaves some families without a breadwinner, and many children without parents. “Shelter in place” orders have incapacitated businesses in many sectors, leading to widespread closures with corresponding unemployment of workers. Economic desperation may force adults and children to accept jobs that involve unsafe and unfair labour practices, to migrate in search of work and to seek assistance from smugglers and traffickers. Adults and children may be deceived and then exploited when answering fraudulent online ads for employment. For some, unemployment leads to homelessness, with the corresponding increased risk for exploitation and for exposure to the coronavirus.

The economic impact of the pandemic may be greatest for marginalized populations, and those working in the informal sector. When work is available, it may involve dangerous health conditions that facilitate COVID transmission, such as lack of protective equipment, crowded work, living and transport conditions and poor access to health care. Irregular migrants may have limited access to vaccines for COVID-19, despite their very high-risk work conditions.

In this piece, we outline the specific ways the COVID-19 pandemic—including measures to mitigate its health effects—may have heightened human trafficking risks. We also foreground the important role of health professionals, who are the frontline responders to the pandemic, in efforts to identify and to address human trafficking.

The Pitfalls of Lockdown Measures

To be sure, lockdown measures and other physical distancing mandates have been crucial to contain the spread of COVID-19. Nevertheless—although peer-reviewed published research is relatively scarce at this stage of the pandemic—there is evidence to suggest increasing rates of intimate partner violence as well as increased child abuse and neglect associated with lockdown orders. Those already experiencing violence may face an increase in the frequency and/or the severity of violence, while others may experience new violence in the home. Stress related to economic factors, physical health, family relations, overcrowding and child education may all contribute to escalating tension, violence, mental health problems and substance use. Family violence is a major risk factor for human trafficking, and thus, risk for exploitation may increase as the shelter-in-place periods continue.

As schools close and children spend more time at home, they may be increasingly vulnerable to sexual exploitation in their place of residence. This risk may be exacerbated by parental distraction with new work-from-home policies, home-schooling programmes and other COVID-related issues, leaving children with less supervision. Increased unsupervised time spent online may increase the risk of sexual solicitation and exploitation.

Additionally, social distancing measures and shelter-in-place orders have a major impact on commercial sex workers. A lack of buyers may force some to take greater risks in pursuit of clients, such as accepting clients who may be violent or may be infected with the coronavirus. Adults consenting to commercial sex may be forced to engage with traffickers in order to survive.

Precarity during the COVID pandemic is not restricted to trafficked persons and those at risk. Labour and sex traffickers also experience economic challenges, and are compelled to adapt their practices to accommodate the shift. In so doing, some will place workers in greater danger of physical and emotional harm and more severe exploitation. As profits decrease, there is heightening pressure to demand more output from workers, provide for fewer basic human needs and consider riskier and more predatory practices to protect profits.

The pandemic has had a major impact on the societal response to human trafficking and to the protection of vulnerable populations. In countries with mandatory reporting laws for child abuse and exploitation, the shelter-in-place orders, school closures, online classes and overwhelmed health systems have decreased the ability of mandated reporters to identify and assist victimized children and those at risk. Shelters and drop-in centres for trafficked persons, immigrants and refugees, victims of intimate partner violence and the homeless may be forced to restrict services in efforts to obey social-distancing measures. Service professionals may be prevented from conducting in-person visits with clients or may close their offices altogether due to work restraints and loss of funding. Law enforcement may be distracted from human trafficking investigations by demands related to COVID-19 mitigation measures and rising crime in other areas.

A Public Health Response

Health professionals have an important role to play in protecting vulnerable populations from exploitation and assisting those who are being trafficked. In addition to telemedicine and in-person visits for acute and longitudinal care, COVID-19 testing and vaccination are possible new intervention points during the pandemic. Health professionals should equip themselves with trauma-informed approaches to inquiring about trafficking.

Prevention efforts should target potential victims as well as exploiters. Anticipatory guidance, based on harm reduction principles, should be offered to patients, clients and caregivers. Education about sex and labour trafficking should be available to patients and clients, using posters, brochures with hotline numbers, factsheets on labour laws and worker rights as well as through conversations regarding risk factors and recruiting strategies. Moreover, the health professional may discuss safe internet use, appropriate responses to online sexual recruitment and identification of potential online employment scams. They may provide information on positive parenting practices and recognizing and responding to child traumatic stress.

Primary prevention aims to address vulnerability factors that place persons at risk for trafficking. Health professionals need to be knowledgeable about community and national resources available to those experiencing relevant vulnerabilities, such as intimate partner violence, child abuse, homelessness or marginalization due to sexual orientation, gender identity or immigrant/refugee status. Since many victim-service organizations have faced major cutbacks and limitations in service, it is important for health providers to be aware of the specific services available during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Beyond prevention activities targeting individuals, health professionals may combat human trafficking during the pandemic by: educating colleagues and the public about the issue; actively collaborating with local agencies struggling to provide services to vulnerable populations; and advocating for worker rights, including health care and vaccine access.

Resources for health professionals include the following:

HEAL Trafficking: This international network of professionals addressing human trafficking from a public health perspective has created educational materials and webinars on the public health response to trafficking during COVID. International Organization for Migration: “Caring for Trafficked Persons: Guidance for Health Providers,” 2009.The Greater New Orleans Human Trafficking Task Force: This regional task force has created resources for service providers addressing COVID and trafficking.

In conclusion, the COVID-19 pandemic has increased vulnerability to labour and sex trafficking and exploitation, especially among marginalized populations across the globe. A strong public health response is needed to address the increased risks, including through primary prevention activities for patients, clients and caregivers, as well as through efforts by health professionals at the community and national levels to advocate for protection of vulnerable populations and to ensure their access to appropriate health care.

This article has been prepared by Jordan Greenbaum, Laura T. Murphy and Hanni Stoklosa as a contribution to Delta 8.7. As provided for in the Terms and Conditions of Use of Delta 8.7, the opinions expressed in this article are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect those of UNU or its partners.

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General HEAL Trafficking Listserv

New tool: HT & Health Care Providers: Legal Requirements for Reporting and Education

The majority of trafficked persons in the United States access health care at some point during their exploitation. Health care providers who treat victims of human trafficking are subject to a patchwork of some-times inconsistent laws regarding their reporting obligations. Which patients should or must be reported and to whom vary from state to state and are often not congruent with federal law obligations. In addition, an increasing number of states impose education requirements for health care providers related to human trafficking.

As part of the American Hospital Association’s Hospitals Against Violence initiative, the AHA, Jones Day, and HEAL Trafficking (https://healtrafficking.org/) have come together to provide resources to health care providers across the nation who are fighting the global scourge of human trafficking. To support that initiative, Jones Day has prepared the linked tool to help providers navigate the complex roadmap of their reporting and education obligations. With the increased role of telehealth and multi-state practitioners, the need for this type of resource is growing. AHA, HEAL Trafficking, and Jones Day are pleased to be able to provide this tool as a resource for use without charge.

The tool covers, for the federal government and each of the 50 United States, a summary of the applicable laws on the following topics: reporting of child abuse; reporting of sex and / or labor trafficking; and required regulation of anti-trafficking education of health care providers. In the minority of states that require reporting of adult (rather than child) trafficking victims, those additional reporting laws are designated in special blue font.

The tool outlines the federal and state statutes and corresponding regulations for mandatory reporting and education requirements for health care providers. The tool does not address the many other considerations for medical professionals regarding trafficking, including confidentiality, decision-making capacity of trafficking victims, and appropriate protocols for care of the victim.
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General HEAL Trafficking Listserv

WAFB9: DCFS receives training in identifying victims of human trafficking

By Carmen Poe | February 10, 2020 at 4:22 PM CST - Updated February 10 at 6:50 PM

BATON ROUGE, La. (WAFB) - Employees of the Louisiana Department of Family and Children’s Services received training on how to identify victims of human trafficking on Feb. 10.

It’s an unexpected combination, but experts say human trafficking can happen after a natural disaster.

“Traffickers take advantage of that,” says Leanne McCallum, Task Force Coordinator for the Greater New Orleans Human Trafficking Task Force.

The Greater New Orleans Human Trafficking Task Force taught employees at the DCFS office in Baton Rouge how to look for red flags in victims.

The task force is scheduled to host the training throughout the state.

Michelle Lackovic, a Principal Investigator with Louisiana Hurricane Response Hub says, “People aren’t aware especially of the vulnerabilities that are present post-disaster, particularly with workers.”

Experts say traffickers often use psychological control, “By threatening or abusing someone.”

Officials say human trafficking is more likely to happen after a natural disaster because that’s when some people are the most vulnerable.

Warning signs can include, signs of physical abuse, malnutrition, basic health-related issues, McCallum says, “Sometimes there are tattoo or branding involved. It can just look like a person who isn’t allowed to speak for themselves.”

Since 2016 McCallum says the Greater New Orleans Human Trafficking Task Force has helped more than 420 survivors. And that’s just the tip of the iceberg. She says there’s a large, hidden population of victims who don’t often come forward, “Traffickers can take advantage of folks through different types of labor, whether it’s construction, rebuilding things or it can be for sex trafficking as well.”

McCallum says no specific age group is vulnerable to trafficking. The task force in New Orleans has served kids a young as a few months old to people in their late 60s.

Experts say everyone should learn what human trafficking is and what it doesn’t look like.

CLICK HERE TO LEARN MORE

If you suspect human trafficking you can report a tip Go here to report a tip anonymously at http://www.nolatrafficking.org/report-a-tip.

Copyright 2020 WAFB. All rights reserved.

Read the article here: https://www.wafb.com/2020/02/10/dcfs-recieves-training-identifying-victims-human-trafficking/

Community Champion Spotlight: Maria-Isabella Pontoriero and Mary Anne Mushatt

To honor Human Trafficking Awareness Month, each week in January we will be highlighting 2 individuals who have gone above and beyond in the Greater New Orleans community to serve victims and survivors of human trafficking. This highlight is the “Community Champion Spotlight”. Each individual was nominated by Task Force members. Community champions represent a variety of different disciplines and perspectives from the anti-trafficking movement. 

Our fourth and final highlight of 2020 features individuals who are newer to the New Orleans anti-trafficking work, but are making a big impact with their efforts. Thank you MIP and and Mary Anne for all you do for our community! We're so lucky to have you in the Greater New Orleans community. 

—-

Maria-Isabella Pontoriero (MIP)

Human Trafficking Social Worker

New Orleans Children’s Advocacy Center/Audrey Hepburn CARE Center, programs of Children’s Hospital New Orleans

"It is a rewarding experience to work with so many people who have the common goal of keeping our community, most importantly the children, in a safe and heal”

What is your role in the Greater New Orleans community?
My role at the NOCAC/CARE Center is to assist in the identification and response to child sex and labor trafficking within Orleans Parish at Children’s Hospital New Orleans; I do this through coordination of forensic interviews, forensic medical evaluations, and needed services. I provide extensive case management, crisis counseling, and safety planning (for suicidal ideation, self-harm, emotional safety, and living with in-home perpetrators) to high-risk victims, victims of child pornography, and sex and labor trafficking victims, and their non-offending caregivers. Within my role, I also coordinate a Survivor Services Child Trafficking Multidisciplinary Team called BRAVE (Building Resilience for All Victims of Exploitation), to review cases of high-risk and confirmed trafficking cases, and develop holistic treatment and service plans for child victims and their families. I am also a forensic interviewer.

What has been your most successful or memorable experience working in the anti-trafficking movement?
Collaborating with the Task Force has been one of the highlights so far within my career in the anti-trafficking movement. The Task Force has led the dialogue on labor trafficking and increased my own knowledge and competence in addressing labor trafficking. We definitely have a long way to go, but I look forward to increasing Children’s Hospital’s capacity to identify victims of labor trafficking, with the help of the Task Force.

What has been your favorite aspect of collaborating among task force partners?
Collaborating with the various departments at Children’s Hospital to ensure that all needs of sex and labor trafficking victims are assessed and addressed has been one of my favorite parts of my job! I have enjoyed training Children’s Hospital nurses and staff in identifying and responding to child trafficking, but also on how to engage youth who come through the Emergency Room at Children’s Hospital. The goal is to make our hospital a safe and supportive place where high-risk and trafficking victims know they can come to receive high-quality medical care, regardless of where they are in their disclosure process.

What are Task Force members saying about MIP?

"I can always count on MIP to treat every survivor with respect and value. She puts her whole heart into every case."

—-

Mary Anne Mushatt

Committee Chair, Private citizen

GNOHTTF Community Awareness Committee

"I now speak up about [trafficking] wherever I am."

What is your role in the Greater New Orleans community?
Helping get the word out to the general public that human trafficking is here in the Greater New Orleans area, and what the generous. Task Force members are doing to help survivors reclaim their lives.  And what the general public can do when trafficking is active in their neighborhood. I am also the Committee Chair for the Community Awareness Committee of the GNOHTTF.

What has been your favorite aspect of collaborating among task force partners?
The Awareness events of last year, hearing the Task Force members present to the City Council, and the gathering to celebrate and create community among providers later that night.

What has been your most memorable experience working in anti-trafficking?
Being inspired by the dedication and diversity of people working in this field.

Anything else you would like to add?
I now speak up about it [trafficking] wherever I am.

What are Task Force members saying about Mary Anne?

"Mary Anne has helped us get creative to reach the broader community."

—-

Community Champion Spotlight: Judge Joy Lobrano and Detective Kay Horne

To honor Human Trafficking Awareness Month, each week in January we will be highlighting 2 individuals who have gone above and beyond in the Greater New Orleans community to serve victims and survivors of human trafficking. This highlight is the “Community Champion Spotlight”. Each individual was nominated by Task Force members. Community champions represent a variety of different disciplines and perspectives from the anti-trafficking movement. 

Our third highlight features leaders who have committed years of work to the anti-trafficking movement in New Orleans. Both were nominated because of their long-term leadership, commitment to treating survivors with dignity, and dedication to collaboration specifically in the Greater NOLA community.

Thank you Detective Horne and Judge Lobrano for all you do for our community! We're so lucky to have you in the Greater New Orleans community. 

—-

Kay Horne

Detective, Task Force Officer

Jefferson Parish Sheriff's Office, New Orleans FBI Task Force

"It is a rewarding experience to work with so many people who have the common goal of keeping our community, most importantly the children, in a safe and healthy environment."

What is your role in the Greater New Orleans community?
I am a Detective with the Jefferson Parish Sheriff's Office (JPSO) and Task Force Officer on the Violent Crimes Against Children/Human Trafficking New Orleans Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI) Task Force. I recover children and adults who have been trafficked for sexual or labor purposes and build an investigation from interviews, Intel and other resources to successfully locate, interview and arrest the traffickers for prosecution.

I have almost 23 years with the Sheriff's Office and almost 16 years of working Physical and Sexual abuse cases.  The last four years I have been with the FBI task force working mostly Juvenile Trafficking Cases, but other violent crimes against children and adults. 

What has been your most successful or memorable experience working in the anti-trafficking movement?
The amount of help, advice and assistance during the recovery of a juvenile trafficking victim.  Through the GNOHTTF I was able provide the juvenile victim with resources and victim services to assist her into transitioning back to a healthy, safe and protective environment, where she could thrive, finish school and successfully find employment.  Along with the arrest and prosecution of those who were trafficking her.

What has been your favorite aspect of collaborating among task force partners?
Being able to have a large network to contact for assistance during the investigation and prosecution stages.

Anything else you’d like to add?
It is a rewarding experience to work with so many people who have the common goal of keeping our community, most importantly the children, in a safe and healthy environment. 

What are Task Force members saying about Detective Horne?

“Kay is someone you can always count on to take the case”

—-

Judge Joy Lobrano

Judge

Louisiana Court of Appeal for the Fourth Circuit

"[Children] are a sign of hope, a sign of life, but also a 'diagnostic' sign, a marker indicating the health of families, society and the entire world.  Wherever children are accepted, loved, cared for and protected, the family is healthy, society is more healthy and the world is more human." 

-Pope Francis, Mass in Manger Square, Bethlehem, May 2014

What is your role in the Greater New Orleans community?
I am a judge on the Louisiana Court of Appeal for the Fourth Circuit and a 2011 founding board member of Eden House, which provides a long-term home and recovery, reentry, and restorative services and care to victims of human trafficking and is a movement to eradicate the trafficking and selling of human beings by creating systemic change.  In 2017, I was appointed by Louisiana Supreme Court Chief Justice Bernette Johnson to serve as her designee on the Louisiana Human Trafficking Prevention Commission and was elected Commission State Chair for 2018. I am a former First Assistant District Attorney and District Court Civil, Criminal, Family, and Juvenile Judge and a founder of the Community CARE Centers Model of Early Intervention for children and families providing resiliency-building, preventive, and protective services to vulnerable populations who are at-risk for trauma and adverse childhood experiences. I also teach 4th and 9th graders the Project LAW (Legal-thinking, Awareness, and Wellness) program, which I designed to give students tools and information needed to build resiliency and awareness to exploitation, victimization, and trauma that can disrupt their pursuit of happiness.

What has been your favorite aspect of collaborating among task force partners?
Being involved in the anti-trafficking movement affords me the opportunity to meet and collaborate with amazing individuals, including courageous and resilient survivors and compassionate and hardworking service providers, public servants, and advocates.  They all illuminate a bright light that has maintained its strength and radiance though this vicious evil wave of human trafficking.  These collaborative lights of brilliance and strength give me hope, inspiration, and certainty that the anti-trafficking movement in the greater New Orleans area lead by the NOLA HT Task Force and throughout Louisiana is strong and will reach its goal to eradicate all forms of human trafficking and replace indifference and trauma infliction with a spirit of respect for human dignity and the common good and with a collaborative movement of love and service to our most vulnerable populations and to individual who have experienced trauma.

What has been your most memorable experience working in anti-trafficking?
In 2019, Pope Francis and Bishop Marcelo Sanchez Sorondo, Chancellor of the Pontifical Academy of Social Sciences, invited me to attend the following two judges summits at the Academy in the Vatican City:  the First Pan-American Judges Summit on Social Justice and the Franciscan Doctrine and the Summit of African Women Judges and Prosecutors on Human Trafficking, Organ Trafficking, and Organized Crime.  At both summits, I met and collaborated with amazing individuals fighting human trafficking globally, especially in areas of civil unrest, which has left the vulnerable populations with little or no protection.  Despite some having far greater challenges to overcome, they all displayed the same bright light of hope that my colleagues radiant in Louisiana.  Their strength and compassion gave me continued inspiration and hope for our world. I shared the great works of the NOLA HT Task Force, the Louisiana Human Trafficking Commission, and Eden House Model of Restorative Care and the Community CARE Centers Models of Preventative and Protective Care.  These anti-trafficking and preventive initiatives were all well received, and I was again invited back to the Academy in February 2020 for a Workshop on Education: The Global Compact.  This workshop will tackle what Pope Francis calls the "globalization of indifference," which in its extreme form contributes to modern day slavery of children.  The workshop premise is that a proper education is perhaps a child's strongest barrier against poverty and trafficking and that children "are a sign of hope, a sign of life, but also a 'diagnostic' sign, a marker indicating the health of families, society and the entire world.  Wherever children are accepted, loved, cared for and protected, the family is healthy, society is more healthy and the world is more human."  Pope Francis, Mass in Manger Square, Bethlehem, May 2014.

What are Task Force members saying about Judge Lobrano?

"Judge Lobrano is unwavering in her commitment to protecting children in Louisiana."

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Community Champion Spotlight: Fahreta Muminovic and Ranie Thompson

To honor Human Trafficking Awareness Month, each week in January we will be highlighting 2 individuals who have gone above and beyond in the Greater New Orleans community to serve victims and survivors of human trafficking. This highlight is the “Community Champion Spotlight”. Each individual was nominated by Task Force members. Community champions represent a variety of different disciplines and perspectives from the anti-trafficking movement. 

Our second highlight features leaders in the legal services field. Both were nominated because of their leadership, commitment to treating survivors with dignity, and dedication to collaboration. They are Fahreta Muminovic of Catholic Charities Archdiocese of New Orleans and Ranie Thompson of CrescentCare.

Thank you Fahreta and Ranie for all you do for our community! We're so lucky to have you in the Greater New Orleans community. 

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Fahreta Muminovic

Senior Staff Attorney, Catholic Charities Archdiocese of New Orleans, Immigrant Legal Services

"My most memorable experiences have revolved around witnessing survivors regain control over their lives and develop agency."

What is your role in the Greater New Orleans community?
I am the T Visa point person at Catholic Charities, meaning I handle all aspects of trafficking survivors’ immigration cases. Our office routinely screens trafficking survivors for immigration relief and connect them with community resources. I help empower undocumented survivors to report their traffickers and collaborate with various law enforcement agencies to help survivors pursue justice. I frequently meet with community partners to establish connections, raise awareness regarding our services, and provide information regarding immigration options and consequences, to provide support for our vulnerable clientele.

What has been your most successful or memorable experience working in the anti-trafficking movement?
Within the anti-trafficking movement, my most memorable experiences have revolved around witnessing survivors regain control over their lives and develop agency. This would not be possible without all members of the task force cooperating and understanding the particular nuanced needs of our clients. Without organizations like the Family Justice Center and Jewish Family Service, survivors would not be able to endure the strained immigration legal process that exists.

What has been your favorite aspect of collaborating among task force partners?
I have enjoyed the GNOHTTF providing a forum where diverse organizations and agencies can come together, exchange ideas, and strive to understand one another in an effort to reach the ultimate goal of creating awareness, providing protection, and establishing security for our trafficking survivors.

What are Task Force members saying about Fahreta?

"Fahreta is engaged and committed to ensuring immigrant survivors have access to all the support they need."

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Ranie Thompson

Attorney, Director of Legal Services, CrescentCare

“If you have come here to help me you are wasting your time, but if you have come because your liberation is bound up with mine, then let us work together.” ― Lilla Watson

What is your role in the Greater New Orleans community?
As an attorney and advocate, I work with Greater New Orleans Human Trafficking Task Force to identify and coordinate legal resources in the community to assist survivors through direct legal services, outreach and education. I am also the Chair of the New Legal Services Working Group.

What has been your favorite aspect of collaborating among task force partners?
It’s refreshing to see agencies that are usually at odds unite be on the same side, unite around this common issue and work to bring an end to human trafficking in our community.To this end, I frequently return to a favorite scripture and quote. “He has shown you, O man, what is good; And what does the LORD require of you But to do justly, To love mercy, And to walk humbly with your God?” Micah 6:8. “If you have come here to help me you are wasting your time, but if you have come because your liberation is bound up with mine, then let us work together.” ― Lilla Watson

What has been your most memorable experience working in anti-trafficking?
My most memorable experience is the first encounter I had with a client who disclosed their trafficking story to me during an initial consultation on an unrelated matter.  My work has always been holistic in nature, with the purpose of providing services to the whole client.  During the conversation, we talked about several legal challenges the client had and finally, the client connected the dots for me with the disclosure. I immediately realized how little I knew about this issue locally, nationally and globally. I was also moved by the lack of resources available to assist the client with several issues identified as part of my efforts to help them move forward.Issues regarding income stability, housing stability, employment barriers, discrimination, access to healthcare, and general health and wellness are not new to my clients, many of whom are low-income, impoverished and marginalized.  Working with vulnerable populations, I see these social determinants of health and work to address them through direct legal assistance and advocacy.  However, with this client, I had to add the human trafficking layer and look for new ways to advocate and fight.  Sadly, my ability to help was limited for a number of reasons.That single encounter is what prompted me to reach out to the GNOHTTF and others working in the community to become educated and to look for opportunities to support the work already being done by leveraging resources as a member of the Louisiana State Bar Association’s Access to Justice Committee and in my capacity as Director of Legal Services at CrescentCare.

What are Task Force members saying about Ranie?

"Ranie sees the intersections of survivors' needs in the New Orleans community, and she brings people together to serve the whole survivor."

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