Human Trafficking Lurking in Oregon

Oregon is known more for its lush scenery and diverse counties, rather than the rising amount of kidnapping and human trafficking cases. Human trafficking has become one of the fastest growing and most lucrative criminal industries; which increases the avenues investigators must pursue in order to locate the victim(s).

Human trafficking is the “modern form of slavery.” It varies in motives and areas. Some areas of trafficking include sexual exploitation, child and involuntary labor.

The amount of people enslaved annually in the U.S.  is much lower in comparison to the rest of the world,  but the numbers are still alarming. In the U.S. there is an estimation of 14,500 to 17,500 and 600,000 to 800,000 worldwide.

In 2009, the Los Angeles Times reported Phoenix, Arizona as the kidnapping capital in America, with hundreds of ransom kidnappings occurring every year, mostly associated with human and drug smuggling from Mexico.

In 2009, The World reported that state officials were seeing an increase in human trafficking in Oregon. Places like North Bend, served as prime locations for human trafficking to occur, due to the high number of homeless youth acting as targets.

“It’s happening and people don’t realize it’s happening,” said Chris Kilmer, a member of the Oregon Human Trafficking Task Force.

A nationwide anti-trafficking sting orchestrated by the FBI’s Operation Cross Country III, found the Portland area is the “second worst hot spot in the nation for commercial sex trafficking.” Keith Bickford, head of the federal human trafficking taskforce in Oregon, reported that in Portland alone, he investigates over 200 victims of commercial trafficking a year.

According to Hopkins Relations Law office, “Oregon’s location on the I-5 corridor, as a connector to Seattle and Los Angeles, makes it attractive to human traffickers.”

In addition, “the lack of human trafficking training available for law enforcement coupled with Oregon’s weak human trafficking statute makes Oregon a safe haven.”

Therefore, Oregon will need to find solutions to their weak statutes in order to properly handle human trafficking cases. Fortunately, change might be on the horizon, with more Oregon legislatures being introduced to increase funding to programs geared towards ending human trafficking, supporting victims and higher punishments for those found responsible.

Ten Ways to Keep Yourself Safe

1. After dark, have keys ready when nearing your vehicle or home to enter quickly.
2. If you walk a route regularly, alone- try to vary, using known routes only!
3. Always plan your journey/route, avoiding short-cuts through unlit or secluded areas. Inform family and friends of where you will be going and for how long.
4. Using items such as an IPod, or any listening device with headphones will stop you from hearing possible trouble approaching.
5. Avoid giving out your personal details to strangers, such as name, address and/or place of employment.
6. If you feel that you are being followed- call a member of family, a friend and/or the police. Cross the street, head for an area where there are people, an open business premises or any public place.
7. Endeavour to walk in the centre of the pavement. Always keep away from secluded alleyways and buildings. If a vehicle pulls up next to you… never approach, but walk in the opposite direction.
8. Be alert! Walk with purpose and confidence.
9. Safety awareness is key to making ‘one’ feel more secure. Consider self-defense classes.
10. Remember your voice is one form of defense- use it! If someone threatens you ‘shout’ for help.