Click here for video of Mandy Taylor, Leah Albright-Byrd, and an Undercover Officer discussing human trafficking on Studio Sacramento.
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Human trafficking is Passover focus in Sacramento area
Posted on March 5, 2012 by sacramentorescueandrestore
By Bee Staff
Published: Monday, Mar. 5, 2012 – 12:00 am | Page 2B
Area Jewish congregations are focusing on human trafficking in the region as they prepare for the Passover season, the annual commemoration of the ancient Hebrews’ exodus from Egyptian bondage.
Five congregations – Beth Shalom, B’nai Israel,Bet Haverim, Mosaic Law and Temple Or Rishon – will feature the issue in sermons this month leading up to Passover, April 6-14.
Because of the region’s freeway network and reliance on migrant labor, Sacramento is considered a hub of the illegal activity. Human traffickers typically target women and children, exploiting them for commercial sex or labor purposes, organizers say.
The National Council of Jewish Women, Sacramento, is presenting a free educational forum on human trafficking, from 7 to 9 p.m. April 23 at KOH Library and Cultural Center, 2300 Sierra Blvd. Featured speakers will include a human-trafficking expert, an FBI special agent and local providers of services to survivors.
Read more here: http://www.sacbee.com/2012/03/05/4311396/human-trafficking-is-passover.html#storylink=misearch#storylink=cpy
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California cracks down on global slave labour, Law forces firms to check supply chains
Posted on January 3, 2012 by sacramentorescueandrestore
BY NOEL RANDEWICH, REUTERS JANUARY 2, 2012
A new California law will force retailers and manufacturers to disclose how they guard against slavery and human trafficking throughout their supply chains, ratcheting up scrutiny of some of the largest U.S. corporations.
Beginning today, about 3,200 major companies doing business or based in California, a list that includes Apple and Gap Inc., will be required to disclose steps they take, if any, to ensure their suppliers and partners do not use forced labour.
Companies risk getting sued by the state attorney general if they flout that law. But experts say the real pressure will come from the court of public opinion: consumers who care about ethical working conditions and take an interest in how their favourite brands get made.
Apple has already come under fire. Suicides at supplier Foxconn, which makes the iconic iPhone, raised questions about working conditions at plants in southern China.
Apple declined to comment on the new legislation.
The heightened scrutiny expected under the law, which applies to retailers and manufacturers in the state with more than $100 million in global sales, is already spurring companies to take a closer look at practices they follow, and in some cases improve them, lawyers say.
“It’s a law that makes sure that companies who are aware of the issues, but could be managing them better, come to the realization that this is the moment where they better get a better handle on them,” said Jon Sohn, a lawyer at McKenna, Long and Aldridge in Washington. “Anything that can harm your brand should be taken seriously.”
Child labour and slavery, broadly defined as forced labour, run rampant not just in emerging markets like Asia and Latin America, but also within developed economies such as the United States.
The U.S. Department of Labor says children and forced labourers produce 130 kinds of goods in 71 countries, numbers that have probably increased during the economic crisis.
More than 12 million people are victims of forced labour, the International Labor Organization says.
The Coalition to Abolish Slavery and Trafficking, a group that helps human-trafficking victims in Los Angeles – often people working in restaurants and the beauty trade – cosponsored the legislation and wants consumers to reward companies that do the most to prevent forced labour.
“Companies following the policy and going beyond what is required should be congratulated,” said Stephanie Richard, the coalition’s policy director. “We encourage people to support companies that utilize this law to re-examine their supply chains.”
Justin Dillon, head of advocacy group slaveryfootprint. org, points to Apple and Gap as companies that have made major efforts to improve and communicate their policies following labour issues at their foreign suppliers .
The suicides at the plants associated with Apple cast a harsh spotlight on what critics dubbed a militaristic culture, pushing workers to the brink to meet unceasing demand for the company’s iPhones.
In response, Apple stepped up the number of supplier facilities it audits, to ensure they meet its code of conduct. Apple has also trained more workers in its supply chain about their rights under the Apple code of conduct.
Gap, whose apparel brands include The Gap, Banana Republic and Old Navy, over the past decade has been accused of benefiting from sweatshops and child labour in Saipan and India.
Anxious to preserve its corporate image, Gap has yanked clothing allegedly manufactured by children from its stores and stepped up monitoring of factories in its supply chain to make sure migrant workers are not forced to hand over their passports to managers or are otherwise coerced.
“What the bill does is beg the question,” Dillon said. “That’s great that that’s what you’re doing, but what more are you going to do?”
Ahead of the new law, expected to largely affect the electronics and clothing industries, Silicon Valley companies including Intel and Agilent Technologies have posted documents on the Internet detailing their policies.
Intel said third-party audits of key suppliers cover slavery, but not human trafficking.
But it plans to specifically address human trafficking early next year.
A drive to slash costs has quickened in tandem with global trade and industry competition in past decades. Increasingly complex supply chains that criss-cross the world make it harder for executives to scrutinize all the companies that have a hand in producing their products.
Under the new law, companies are required to describe the extent to which they verify risks of human trafficking and conduct independent and surprise audits of their suppliers.
They also have to disclose whether they force suppliers to certify the materials they use comply with laws regarding human trafficking and slavery, and whether employees receive training to reduce the risk of slavery.
Keith Bishop, a partner at law firm Allen Matkins, said he advised companies directly affected by the new law, and then received a second wave of inquiries from many of those companies’ suppliers.
They wanted to know what measures to take to meet their customers’ requirements.
“The act, rather ingeniously, specifically regulates relatively few companies, but impacts a very large number of companies,” Bishop said.
From: http://www.calgaryherald.com/business/California+cracks+down+global+slave+labour/5935432/story.html
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Sacramento FBI Announces 2011 FBI Director’s Community Leadership Award Recipient: WEAVE, Inc.
Posted on November 7, 2011 by sacramentorescueandrestore
Published on November 7, 2011
The Sacramento Field Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) is pleased to announce that WEAVE, Inc. is the recipient of the 2011 Director’s Community Leadership Award. The annual award recognizes the achievement of an individual or organization for commitment to violence education and prevention.
“It is an honor to be able to present WEAVE, Inc. with the Director’s Community Leadership Award for commitment to crisis intervention and prevention in our region,” said Herb Brown, Special Agent in Charge (SAC) of the Sacramento FBI field office. “Beth Hassett and her team’s outstanding efforts have continually increased the community’s understanding of domestic violence and sexual assault and have ensured that victims have resources available to begin the healing process.”
Since opening as a grassroots organization in 1978, WEAVE has become a large, nationally recognized agency that provides crisis intervention and prevention services to women, men and children who are victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, and human trafficking in the Sacramento region. Focused on eliminating the cycle of violence and abuse, WEAVE dedicates significant resources to prevention and education programs in addition to essential victims services. In 2011, WEAVE realized the following successes:
- 197 women and 168 children found refuge at the safe house for an average of 27 days each
- 15,865 callers received help from the 24-hour support line
- 1,006 women and men received counseling
- 57 children received therapy to break the cycle of violence
- 1,404 victims received legal services
- 212 rape victims were accompanied at the hospital during evidence collection.
“I am honored that WEAVE has been chosen as the Sacramento area recipient of the Director’s Community Leadership Award. WEAVE believes that all women, men, and children deserve to feel safe in their homes and community,” said Beth Hassett, executive director of WEAVE. “In these difficult times we have to be more innovative, more enthusiastic and more committed to making sure that the most vulnerable among us are taken care of. The award represents our continued efforts to create a cohesive response to victims and accountability for perpetrators.”
For more than two decades, Beth Hassett, executive director of WEAVE, has been a volunteer and staff member for non-profit organizations focused on improving the quality of life in the Sacramento region and beyond. As the executive director of WEAVE, Hassett leads a team of advocates, counselors, educators, and volunteers who share the common goal of bringing an end to domestic violence and sexual assault in the community.
In addition to her position with WEAVE, Hassett currently serves as a commissioner on the First Five Sacramento Commission, president of the Planned Giving Forum of Sacramento, treasurer of the California Coalition Against Sexual Assault (CALCASA), vice president of the Midtown Business Association, secretary of the Sacramento Children’s Coalition, and is a member of both the ALS Association National Board of Representatives and the board of the ALS Association of Greater Sacramento. She was appointed to the statewide Domestic Violence Advisory Council by Governor Schwarzenegger in 2010 and graduated from the Sacramento FBI Citizens Academy in 2011.
Hassett will accept the 2011 FBI Director’s Community Leadership Award on behalf of WEAVE, Inc. from SAC Brown during a small ceremony held at the Sacramento field office at 9 a.m. on Wednesday, November 30, 2011. Hassett will also travel to FBI Headquarters in Washington D.C. to receive the official engraved crystal award from FBI Director Robert Mueller on March 16, 2012, at a public ceremony.
About WEAVE
Established in 1978, WEAVE provides crisis intervention and prevention services to women, men, and children in Sacramento County who are victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, or human trafficking. Key programs include a safehouse for women and children, a sexual assault response team, a 24-hour support and information line, counseling, legal services, and prevention education for youth and adults.
Media Contact:
Gina Swankie, (916) 214-8309
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Sacramento Couple Accused Of Forcing Girls Into Prostitution
Posted on August 23, 2011 by sacramentorescueandrestore
Police: Suspects Face Human Trafficking, Pimping Charges
SAN FRANCISCO — A Sacramento couple was arrested Saturday at a South San Francisco hotel on suspicion of forcing three teenage girls into prostitution, police said.
Officers went to a hotel in the 300 block of South Airport Boulevard on a tip that a runaway girl had been seen near the property at about 4 p.m., according to South San Francisco police.
When they arrived at the scene, officers said they found a 19-year-old woman and two juvenile girls in a room at the hotel.
The room was registered to 40-year-old Mahendar Singh, who was found in another room at the hotel, police said.
Singh and the three girls were taken into custody after police said they found evidence of prostitution in both hotel rooms.
During questioning, all three girls said they were being forced into prostitution by Singh and his wife, Helen, 22, of Sacramento, police said.
Helen Singh was found at the hotel and arrested along with her husband, police said.
Mahendar and Helen Singh were booked into San Mateo County Jail on charges of human trafficking under the age of 18, pimping, pandering and conspiracy.
The three girls were released to their parents, police said.
Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press
From: http://www.kcra.com/news/28932398/detail.html
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Sex trafficking indictment: Sacramento mom, 4 daughters
Posted on August 8, 2011 by sacramentorescueandrestore
SACRAMENTO, CA-United States Attorney Benjamin B. Wagner recently announced that a federal grand jury returned a 13-count indictment charging Tynisha Marie Hornbuckle, 22; Tamrell Rena Hornbuckle, 25; Latrelle Alicia Hornbuckle, 23; Cherrelle Elizabeth Hornbuckle, 24; Tammy Rena Brown, 43; and Jacquelin Lanoise Radisha Wade, 24; all of Sacramento, with conspiring to commit sex trafficking of minors by force, fraud, or coercion and with various other charges including the sex trafficking of minors, tampering with witnesses, and making false statements relating to their sex trafficking of minors. The four Hornbuckles are sisters. Tammy Rena Brown is their mother. The defendants were arrested on July 29.
According to the indictment, between July 31, 2008 and May 5, 2011, all of the defendants conspired to force and coerce minors to engage in commercial sex acts. During this time, the indictment alleges that all of the members of the conspiracy directed the activities of prostitutes; provided transportation to minors in furtherance of the sex trafficking activity; purchased motel rooms and allowed their residences to be used for prostitution; purchased clothing for the girls to use while they were working; and used force, the threat of force, fraud, and coercion to control the girls who worked for them.
The Hornbuckles and Brown are also charged with sex trafficking three different minor females, and using force, threats of force, fraud, and coercion to cause the three females to engage in commercial sex acts. In addition, these defendants are charged with participating in a venture that profited from the sex trafficking of minors.
This case is the product of an extensive investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Innocence Lost Task Force, a task force made up of the FBI, the Sacramento Police Department, and the Sacramento County Sheriff. Assistant United States Attorney Kyle Reardon is prosecuting the case.
If convicted of the conspiracy, the defendants face a maximum sentence of five years in prison. The sentence for sex trafficking of children is no less than 10 years and up to life in prison. The maximum statutory penalty for tampering with witnesses is 20 years in prison. The maximum statutory penalty for making a false statement is eight years in prison. Each offense carries a fine of up to $250,000. In addition, a lifetime terms of supervised release could be ordered upon a conviction for sex trafficking. The remaining convictions carry terms of supervised release of up to three years. The actual sentences, however, will be determined at the discretion of the court after consideration of any applicable statutory factors and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, which take into account a number of variables.
The charges are only allegations and the defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
From: http://www.sacramentotoday.net/news/templates/community.asp?articleid=1839&zoneid=1
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Family Members Arrested For Prostituting Girls
Posted on August 2, 2011 by sacramentorescueandrestore
(See link below for video)
SACRAMENTO (CBS13) — Six people, including a mother and her four daughters, are accused of running a sex slave ring. Police say for three years the women sold underage teens for sex, and they now face felony criminal charges. What’s even more shocking is a friend of one of the suspects tells CBS13 she is seeing more women turning to pimping.
“Man, I can’t imagine having them being pimped out,” said Bryan Stephens, a neighbor of the family.
“That’s basically what they do out here,” said Tammy Ann Victor, a neighbor.
Some residents in one South Sacramento neighborhood are not shocked to hear that a family of five women: four sisters and their mom are accused of teaming up with a family friend to become lady pimps.
“They can’t be having that out here. Pimping little 13-14 years old out here,” said Stephens.
“This is the first time I’ve seen multiple family members involved in anything like this,” said Assistant US Attorney Kyle Reardon.
Reardon is prosecuting the women. They’re the Hornbuckle girls. They’re all college age and feds say the women found several trusting young girls and worked them.
“The girls are attracted by promises of money. They’re attracted by promises of power and travel,” said Reardon.
The Hornbuckles allegedly sold them to johns and frequently taking them to a local motel. Investigators say it went on for three years.
“But today it’s not about the men, it’s more about the women,” said Victor.
A friend of one of the suspects says today’s young teenage prostitute bonds more quickly with lady pimps than men.
“Most guys are rough. Women are more gentle, motherly,” said Victor.
“You might be looking, as everybody is, for some kind of love and affection,” said Ellyne Bell with The Wind Youth Services.
Bell runs a shelter for abused and homeless teens. She says 90 percent of the girls they help are have been sexually exploited. There’s a market for boys too.
“We don’t hear about it as much, but its affecting young men as well as young women,” said Bell.
The feds say the women were caught after feeling comfortable enough to market the teens online. Investigators say lady pimps are not the motherly type.
“Beaten by their pimps, being abused by their pimps being robbed by the johns that come in and have sex with them,” said Reardon.
There is a 13-count indictment against the family. The feds are hoping the six women spend many years behind bars.
There’s no word on the condition of the three victims.
From: http://sacramento.cbslocal.com/2011/08/02/family-members-arrested-for-prostituting-girls/
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Sacramento March Against Slavery 2011
Posted on July 20, 2011 by sacramentorescueandrestore
SACRAMENTO MARCH AGAINST SLAVERY 2011
18 SEPTEMBER 2011 at Cesar Chavez Park, Sacramento
The 2011 Sacramento March Against Slavery will be Sacramento’s 3rd annual march against human trafficking and exploitation! In addition to raising awareness about human trafficking in Sacramento and across the globe, this event will raise funds for local organizations combatting this issue throughout the region.
To register please visit Chab Dai’s website at http://chabdai.org/sacmarch.html
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Rep. Matsui Announces up to $862k in Federal Grants to Combat Human Trafficking in Sacramento Region
Posted on July 8, 2011 by sacramentorescueandrestore
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Thursday, July 7, 2011
CONTACT: MARA LEE
(202) 225-7163
Rep. Matsui Announces up to $862k in Federal Grants to Combat Human Trafficking in Sacramento Region
Three Year Grant Provides $287k in First Year to Sacramento Rescue & Restore Coalition
SACRAMENTO, CA – Today, Congresswoman Doris Matsui (D-Sacramento) announced that a three year federal grant that could total up to $862,236 has been awarded to the Sacramento Employment and Training Agency (SETA) and the Sacramento Rescue & Restore Coalition by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Service’s Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR). This grant comes as part of the federal government’s Rescue and Restore Victims of Human Trafficking Regional Program. SETA will receive $287,412 for the first year of the three year grant period. Additional funds will be contingent upon the program hitting specified targets.
SETA will use the funds to partner with community organizations, law enforcement, and government agencies in order to increase the identification and protection of human trafficking victims and to raise public awareness about human trafficking in the Sacramento region. In January, Congresswoman Matsui sent a letter to the ORR in support of SETA’s application for this grant.
“While it might be easy to think of human trafficking as a problem that exists somewhere overseas, in faraway or foreign place, the unfortunate truth is that human trafficking also occurs right here in our hometown,” said Congresswoman Matsui. “This federal grant will help Sacramento non-profit organizations and local government agencies partner in the fight against human trafficking in our community, and allow local agencies to better identify and protect victims.”
SETA operates the Sacramento Rescue & Restore Coalition in collaboration with local organizations Opening Doors, Inc., My Sister’s House, and Women Escaping a Violent Environment (WEAVE). Opening Doors conducts community awareness activities and provides services to victims of human trafficking. My Sister’s House also conducts outreach and assists in providing culturally appropriate services to Asian and Pacific Islander victims. WEAVE provides 24 hour emergency response to victims and assists law enforcement agencies. As the grantee, SETA will serve as the regional focal point and be responsible for continuing to lead the Coalition, conducting public awareness activities, and providing training and technical assistance on human trafficking issues to local organizations.
“Since 2009, the Sacramento Rescue & Restore Regional Program has gained knowledge of potential human trafficking in the Sacramento region, built key relationships, established service systems for victims, and raised awareness of human trafficking” said Kathy Kossick, Executive Director for SETA. “This renewed funding will allow the Rescue and Restore Coalition, SETA and its partners, Opening Doors, My Sister’s House and WEAVE, to intensify outreach and training efforts to result in greater victim identification and connection to services.”
SETA has received similar federal support in recent years.
To learn more about the work of the Coalition, click here. For more information on Rep. Matsui’s work in Congress, visit www.matsui.house.gov.
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HHS Awards Grants for the Rescue and Restore Victims of Human Trafficking Regional Program
Posted on July 8, 2011 by sacramentorescueandrestore
July 6, 2011
HHS Awards Grants for the
Rescue and Restore Victims of Human Trafficking Regional Program
The Administration for Children and Families (ACF) within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) awarded $3 million in grants to eleven organizations for its Rescue and Restore Victims of Human Trafficking Regional Program.
The central purpose of these grants is to increase the identification and protection of human trafficking victims in the United States and to increase public awareness about human trafficking. Grantees will serve as regional focal points for an intensification of local outreach to and identification of victims of severe forms of trafficking in persons. The grantees are responsible for leading or participating in an anti-human trafficking coalition, conducting public awareness activities, and providing training and technical assistance on human trafficking issues to local organizations. Each grantee must sub-award at least 60 percent of grant funds received to local organizations that can identify and/or work with victims of human trafficking.
The funds, administered by ACF’s Office of Refugee Resettlement, were awarded to the following organizations:
- Colorado Legal Services (Colo.) – $300,000
- Fresno County Economic Opportunities Commission (Calif.) – $241,667
- Healing Place Church Serve (La.) – $239,750
- Houston Rescue and Restore Coalition (Tex.) – $298,000
- International Institute of St. Louis (Mo.) – $292,300
- International Rescue Committee (N.Y.) – $300,000
- Mosaic Family Services (Tex.) – $291,971
- Pacific Gateway Center (Hawaii) – $150,000
- Sacramento Employment and Training Agency (Calif.) – $287,412
- Safe Horizon, Inc. – (N.Y.) – $298,900
- SAGE Project, Inc. (Calif.) – $300,000
Kind regards,
Maggie Wynne
Director, Anti-Trafficking in Persons Division
Rescue & Restore
National Human Trafficking Resource Center • 1-888-3737-888
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