I recently had the pleasure to meet Sandra Dennis-Essig as she became a member of the Emergency Management External Affairs Association (EMEAA). She gave me permission to share a brief synopsis of her experience. Sandra is a survivor of trafficking, which began at a very young age in a familial situation. Over time, the environment evolved, and she was trafficked by strangers. As a result, she has firsthand knowledge of what trafficking is like from both the inside and the outside, as well as the trauma it causes. She also understands the strength of character required to recover from such experiences. After learning about her story, I invited her to share her critical and essential insights with us. Through her experiences, she knows firsthand how to help those on the outside understand the inner workings of trafficking.
Human Trafficking Defined
Human trafficking is a serious violation of human rights and a form of modern-day slavery. It involves the recruitment, transportation, transfer, harboring, or receipt of people through force, coercion, or deception, with the aim of exploiting them for labor, commercial sex, or other purposes. This involves using violence, threats, or manipulation to control individuals and deprive them of their freedom, dignity, and human rights. Human trafficking can take many forms, including sex trafficking, labor trafficking, bonded labor, organ trafficking, child trafficking, and familial trafficking. Throughout these forms, the core elements of coercion, exploitation, and deprivation of freedom remain constant.
Human Trafficking Statistics for the United States
In 2023, the National Human Trafficking Hotline received over 57,000 signals, including calls, texts, chats, online tips, and emails reporting potential cases of human trafficking. These reports led to the identification of 11,500 cases involving 17,000 individual victims. The majority of these cases (9,300) involved sex trafficking, followed by labor trafficking (1,400) and familial trafficking (1,912).
Illicit massage/spa businesses were the most common venue for trafficking, accounting for 2,500 cases, followed by hotels/motels (1,600 cases) and online platforms (1,400 cases). The data also revealed that most victims were female (83%), adult (91%), and U.S. citizens (75%). These statistics highlight the urgent need for continued efforts to combat human trafficking in all its forms. https://humantraffickinghotline.org/en/statistics.
These numbers reflect traumatic and unacceptable violations and abuse. More importantly, they are not numbers; they are humans.
Emergency Managers’ Role in Identifying Victims of Human Trafficking
Emergency managers play a crucial role in recognizing and responding to the trauma of human trafficking victims by:
- Coordinating with law enforcement and social services to identify potential victims;
- Providing training on human trafficking awareness and response;
- Developing protocols for victim support and referral;
- Facilitating access to medical, mental health, and social services;
- Ensuring victim-centered and trauma-informed care;
- Collaborating with organizations specializing in human trafficking support;
- Conducting needs assessments and resource mobilization;
- Supporting victim advocacy and empowerment;
- Facilitating information sharing and data collection; and
- Continuously improving response efforts through lessons learned and best practices.
Recognizing the trauma of human trafficking victims is essential to provide appropriate support and services. Emergency managers can help ensure a comprehensive and compassionate response. This, in turn, aids emergency managers and first responders in providing adequate support. Emergency managers who address this, plan for it, and educate upon it, will impact protecting and saving lives.
Emergency Manager Resources
Emergency managers are not alone in learning how to approach this threat to humanity. For more information and resources to support emergency managers’ roles in identifying and combating human trafficking, these robust resources are available:
- Federal Law Enforcement Training Center (FLETC) https://www.fletc.gov/
- Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) https://www.fema.gov/
- 3. U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) https://www.ice.gov/
- DHS Blue Campaign (anti-human trafficking) https://www.dhs.gov/blue-campaign
- DHS Center for Countering Human Trafficking https://www.dhs.gov/CCHT
Call to Action: How to Support Trafficking Survivors
Human trafficking and its profound connection with drug addiction provide a huge issue that necessitates a diversified strategy. Communities must meet the needs of these survivors by implementing trauma-informed treatment, campaigning for strong legislative support, and offering comprehensive assistance. The following are the detailed ways in which efforts can be invested to support human trafficking survivors:
Engage communities to provide necessary support to survivors – Contribute time or resources to local organizations that support trafficking survivors. Active community participation can provide much-needed support and amplify these organizations’ efforts to assist survivors.
Raise awareness about signs of human trafficking to reduce its prevalence – Social media platforms can educate networks about the signs of human trafficking and how to report suspicious activities.
Support human trafficking survivors with financial contributions – Donate to public awareness campaigns and organizations that fight for trafficking survivors’ rights. Financial support is essential for sustaining these efforts and expanding their reach and impact.
Educate the community about human trafficking – Correct common misconceptions about human trafficking and foster a deeper understanding of survivor experiences. Education can lead to a more informed public that is better equipped to support anti-trafficking initiatives.
Combat exploitation – Stand against the demand that drives human trafficking by advocating for ethical practices and supporting legislation that targets exploiters. Creating a supportive environment for survivors involves addressing the root causes of exploitation and helping survivors escape it permanently.
As a survivor and advocate, Sandra Dennis-Essig has seen firsthand the critical role that the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) plays in combating human trafficking. Their efforts, such as the Blue Campaign, have helped raise awareness and educate the public on recognizing the signs of trafficking – a crucial step in identifying and supporting survivors like herself.
However, she also remembers a time when such resources were scarce and misconceptions about trafficking were prevalent, forcing her to rely on her own resilience to escape and rebuild. Now, she sees the impact of DHS’s training and resources for law enforcement and service providers, which have helped ensure that survivors receive the support and justice they deserve. DHS’s commitment to prevention, protection, and prosecution has made a tangible difference in the fight against human trafficking, and she is grateful for their continued efforts to bring traffickers to justice and support survivors in their journey towards healing and recovery.
Sandra Dennis-Essig is a dedicated professional with a strong background in emergency management. Sandra serves as a Disaster Duty Officer for the American Red Cross in San Diego and Imperial County. She also is a member and advisor to the Emergency Management External Affairs Association (EMEAA) on human trafficking issues. She collaborated with the New Jersey Coalition Against Human Trafficking as an advocate, speaker, and survivor.
Dan Stoneking is the Owner and Principal of Stoneking Strategic Communications , the Author of Cultivate Your Garden: Crisis Communications from 30,000 Feet to Three Feet , the Founder and Vice President of the Emergency Management External Affairs Association , and an Adjunct Professor for Public Speaking at West Chester University.