Social Justice | Mental Post-Its

June 2, 2018
by kristiporter Leave a comment

Tapestri Human Trafficking Forum 2018

Ok, so this is WAY overdue. Like almost six months overdue. This event was actually held at the end of January, which is National Slavery and Human Trafficking Prevention Month. I kept meaning to type these notes and post them, but it just kept getting moved to the back burner.

However, that is in no way a reflection of Tapestri‘s event. This is the second year I’ve attended, and I absolutely plan to go back if they offer it again in 2019. This organization is doing tremendous work here in Atlanta, and throughout Georgia, and I’m grateful for them. And, it’s hard to believe, but this is actually a FREE event!

If you’re in the Atlanta area and care about this issue, be sure to join Tapestri’s email list so you can find out about any future events!

And, now, here are my notes:

Trafficking Victims Protection Act (TVPA) overview by Alpa Amin of GAIN, Ambassador Susan Coppedge, Alia El-Sawi of ICE and HSI
- They’re now trying to get moe steep penalties and victim services.
- It’s up for reauthorization again this year.
- 14 government agencies deal with the issue of trafficking.
- There is a Survivor Advisory Council that was appointed by Obama.
- New laws are trying to keep products made with slave labor out of the country.
Georgia Asylum and Immigration Network (GAIN) info presented by Alpa Amin
- GAIN helps people get T-Visas and legal help for foreign-born people.
- T-Visa requirements:
  - Victim of severe harm
  - Present in US due to trafficking
  - Would suffer if returned home
- Age requirement for T-Visa has increased, which is a good thing
- Less evidence is now needed to prove status, which is also good
- Transportation is not required, though it is called “trafficking”
- Continued presence: If someone is VIEWED (meaning potential) as a victim, this is a form of parole that lasts for two years.
  - Allows them to live and work here
  - Helps establish rapport with victim
  - Victim-centered approach
  - Stepping stone to receive T-Visa
  - Gets person a driver’s license and social security card
  - Allows for access to resources
  - Don’t need a successful court case for continued presence or T-Visa, only cooperation
Tapestri presentation by Gabriela Leon of Tapestri
- Works with foreign-born victims
- Most people do not self-identify as victims, and foreign-born people may not even know that term.
- Our stricter laws and rhetoric toward victims and immigrants only serves to reinforce traffickers words to victims.
- Most cases are domestic, but they are also more likely to report because they likely know their rights better.
- Here in Georgia, most foreign-born victims are from Mexico and Central America.
- There should be a PR campaign to fight the perception that victims of crimes will be punished.
Additional resources:
- Know Your Rights campaign
- Kids in Need of Defense
- One Billion Rising
- Human Trafficking Hotline – online trainings
- SOAR online training for medical professionals
Health Consequences of Trafficking presentation by Dr. Jordan Greenbaum of the Stephanie Blank Center for Safe and Healthy Children at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta
- Risk factors:
  - Child
  - Female
  - Missing
  - No skills
  - Prior victimization
  - Marginalized
  - Cognitive delays
  - Homeless
  - Drug/alcohol abuse
  - Family secrecy
  - Violence/abuse
  - Poor
  - Corrupt legal system
  - High tourism area
  - Social intolerance
  - Economic disparity
  - Migration
  - Cultural beliefs
  - Social upheaval
  - Stigma
- Labor trafficking in the US often involves these industries/professions:
  - Agriculture
  - Hospitality (ex: hotel or restaurant worker)
  - Manufacturing
  - Domestic service
  - Janatorial
  - Construction
  - Landscaping
  - Nail salons
  - Massage parlor
  - Textiles
  - Fishing
  - Most reported cases are foreigners being brought into the US, which is the opposite of sex trafficking.
- Health consequences of labor trafficking:
  - Untreated chronic medical consitions
  - Work-related injuries
  - Exposure to chemicals
  - Weight loss
  - Infection
  - Breathing
  - Consequences of sexual assault (47% of victims had STD’s)
  - Violence
  - PTSD
  - Mental issues
  - Headaches
  - Fatigue
  - Victims are also often forced to commit crimes for compliance.
- Consequences of sex trafficking:
  - Drug and alcohol abuse
  - Chronic pain
  - Mental issues (depression, PTSD, suicidal)
  - Malnutrition
  - Work-related injuries
  - Sexual violence
  - Pregnancy, abortion
  - 88% of domestic victims saw health care professionals while this was happening!
- Challenges to identifying:
  - Don’t self-identify
  - Reluctant to disclose
  - Few clinically-validated quick screening tools
  - Threats
- Speak using “trauma-informed” care approach
  - Minimizes re-trauma
  - Ensures safety (in all forms)
  - Treat victim with respect (explain what you want to do)
  - Only ask questions you need to know
  - Ask about mental health
  - Respect authonomy
  - Be transparent
  - Listen, explain, negotiate
  - Make appropriate referrals
  - Ask their opinions
FBI presentation by Mary Jo Mangrum and Jennifer Towns
- Has seen an increase in cases in the last decade, but likely because more people are reporting.
Polaris presentation on illicit massage parlors by Eliza Carmen
- New 2018 report
  - Over 9,000 known in the US
  - $2.5 BILLION business
  - Majority of victims are from Southeast Asia
  - Average age is 35-55
  - 37-45% of ads for massage parlor work were illegal
- Why don’t victims leave?
  - Fear of law enforcement
  - Debt
  - Fear of deportation (may be unsafe to return home)
  - Shame
  - Threats to themselves or family
  - Cultural coercion
- Only 12% of cities have laws to enforce against illegal massage parlors
  - Usually licenses for therapists only, not the business itself
  - If you see a ILM, report to Polaris via phone, email, or online. Reports can be anonymous.
Working with Foreign National Minors presentation by Mersada Mujkanovic of Tapestri, Yamile Morales of Tapestri, and Christina Iturralde Thomas of KIND
- Much the same tactics as adults, but kids are more naive and vulnerable.
  - Sports are also used as a tactic. Recruiting for traveling teams or initial building of relationships.
- Victims under 18 do not have to comply or be helpful to gain status or benefits.
- There is a specific refugee foster care program.
- The designation of unaccompanied minor affords some protection, but they must also soon after defend themselves from deportation.
- Common asylum fact patterns for children:
  - Severe child abuse
  - Resistance to or witness to gang activity
  - Family claims (ex: land disputes)
  - Domestic violence (including gang-related)
- You do not get a court-appointed lawyer for immigration court, unlike criminal law, which again is harmful in them not knowing and understanding their rights.

December 16, 2017
by kristiporter Leave a comment

Can I ask a favor?

Can I ask you a favor?

Since it’s my first full year in business, I’m celebrating by giving away a Communications Strategy Session to one lucky nonprofit or social enterprise.

I love supporting small cause-focused organizations that are trying to do good things in the world. There are so many of them out there, working hard, and making a difference in their own little corner of the world. They are the kinds of businesses that I support personally, and through Signify, I’m also able to support them professionally.

However, many of them can’t afford to have someone like me on their staff full-time. That’s why I mostly work on projects for small organizations. They can afford some help now and then, and I’m happy to provide it.

But with everything on their plates, they often get behind in their marketing and communications. I totally get it, and it’s a common problem. As a solopreneur, I definitely feel their pain, but I have a different set of skills and expertise to lend.

That’s why I wanted to give a Communications Strategy Session away for the holidays. It will help them get on track, or back on track, with their marketing in 2018. It’s a resolution that I can easily help them keep.

So . . . the favor . . .

If you know of a nonprofit, social enterprise, or other for-profit organization doing good, would you mind sending them to the page that outlines this giveaway? I’d love them to throw their hat into the ring for the opportunity to win this prize, valued at over $500.

I really appreciate your help.

You can also learn more about Signify here, or read the interview I recently did for Ideamensch. Or if you prefer to hear me talk about my company, you can listen to this episode of Business RadioX, starting at 36:40.

Thank you, again!

July 10, 2017
by kristiporter Leave a comment

7 Lessons From the First Year of Business

I still have a hard time believing it, but I launched my business, Signify, on July 1st of last year! Some days it really does seem like yesterday, and others feel more like a seasoned pro. Regardless, it’s been an intense learning experience.

I created Signify out of a desire to help my friends. I knew people with small nonprofits and purpose-driven for-profits and social enterprises that needed someone like me who could lend another set of hands and breakdown marketing and communications for them. They cared deeply about their mission, since it was the driving force of their organization, but marketing and communications weren’t their strong suite. They knew they needed to look and sound more professional in order to get noticed and grow, but they didn’t have time, or maybe even the know-how.

So, I stepped in. I’d already been freelancing, giving them advice, volunteering, and helping them as best I could along the way, but with this as my full-time business, I was going to be able to help them even more.

Many of these relationships became my first clients, and they’ve even stuck around for multiple projects, or referred their friends to me. It’s been a wonderful way to sustain and grow my business. Whether they need writing, consulting, or strategy help—and most often a combination of all three—these organizations have been a privilege to serve. I wanted to assist cause-focused organizations who were doing great things in the world. They were already making a difference, and I knew I could help them create a bigger impact.

It’s been an incredible journey, and I’m eager to start year two.

But first, here are seven lessons I learned from these first twelve months.

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