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President Benjamin back in fine form took the podium and opened up the meeting at 12:30pm at Hillel. He thanked Janet Schwartz for greeting, Jim Meyers for leading the pledge, PP x2 Steve Day for his Thought of the Day and PP Ed Gauld for leading the singing of America.
Guests for the Day included Lucy Wedner from the Rotary Club of Playa Venice Sunrise, Suzanne Lyons and Maravilha Ani from Brentwood Upper School and, Mr. Orlin, Eddie’s father (more on Eddie below).
The Club inducted two new members, Chuck McCreary sponsored by John O’Keefe and Matthew Yuan sponsored by PP Mark Rogo. Welcome to the warm and friendly Rotary Club of Westwood Village, gentlemen!
Today we were wowed with a presentation from Eddie Orlin, 15 years of age attending Brentwood School. Several years ago, inspired by his grandfather former military and technology guru, Eddie embarked on a charitable project to help Veterans. During Covid Eddie decided to see if he could build a computer from scratch. He has raised over $21,000.00 to date and with these funds has purchased materials and supplies to build 18 computers for Veterans living on or visiting the West LA Va campus. Part of the $21,000 came from our Club through a District Grant for the past three years. Joining us with providing district grant money over the past few years has been UCLA Rotaracts and, the South Bay Rotaracts. Eddie has help from other classmates and the support of his school Tech Dept as they also provide teachers for the Veterans on how to use their newfound computers. Thank you, Eddie, well done!
Introduced by President Benjamin, our speaker today was Tony Fox born and raised in Orange County who grew up in a family of seven. Tony works for “Set Me Free” project that educates on human trafficking to try to stop it from happening or advancing. Her company emphasizes that every human being has value!
What is human trafficking? The organization defines it as use of force, fraud or coercion to compel an individual to provide some type of labor. Force can be violence and involve kidnapping. Fraud could be lies and deception; fake job offers and fake relationships. Coercion is using force or fraud to convince someone to do something.
Sex trafficking comprises sex work, pornography, domestic work, salons and massage parlors. Shoplifting falls under this category as well. Human traffickers may force their victims to shoplift for them or purchase gift cards. These gift cards can then be used to fuel trafficking operations thanks to their anonymity and lack of a paper trail. They could be leveraged as a direct means of payment between a victim and a John in sex work, or they could be used to launder large sums of money associated with trafficking.
Trafficking is happening in every one of our 50 states.
Only 1 to 2% of people trafficked are saved!
It is estimated 30% of victims in the trafficked population are male. Surprisingly trafficked persons may not reach out for help so 30% may be understated.
Stunningly 84% of the trafficked population are trafficked by family members or their partners.
Here are the stages of grooming:
- Someone is targeted usually the most vulnerable but, not always.
- Gain their trust by learning as much about their needs as possible and then finding ways to fulfil those needs
- Fulfill the needs – once this happens the victim begins to trust the groomer
- Isolate them to convince them they are only loved by the groomer who understands them
- Exploit their trust and convince them it is a onetime thing.
- Maintain control. By using threats and control the trafficker will remind them they have been there for you so you need to repay the favor.
A Trustworthy person will:
- Never ask you to something illegal.
- Go against your morale compass.
- Keep secrets or try to isolate you from friends and family
- And Always wants the best for you
Consent:
Yes, is not a yes if no is not an option.
Social and online gaming’s are areas where traffickers lurk. Have your children do their online gaming for limited time periods and in a common area so parents can overhear all conversations.
Possible red flags of trafficking in general:
- Unexplained absences from school and other events
- Less engaged than usual at school
- Unexplained bruises or injuries (black eye, bruised lip)
- Self-isolation or withdrawal from family, friends, sports or social activities
- Shares a plan to drop out of school
- Forced criminalization
- Unauthorized or unfamiliar person tries to check student out from school
- Becomes hypervigilant of authorities
How to Respond to a victim:
- Always believe their story.
- Understanding memories can be random and stories can change.
- Avoid the “Why” questions. (shame/blame)
- Offer choices, empower the survivor.
- Limit the number of times they tell their story.
- Never make promises.
What if I suspect someone I know is being trafficked? What if they’re not ready to leave?
- Communicate messages of hope. Let them know you are there when they are ready
- You have rights, be sure they understand this.
- Assure them they do not deserve this
- Let them know they are not alone and not to blame
- Provide them with information on services and help they are entitled to.
Most importantly, though, and something everyone can do is write to your state representatives requesting they make sentences for traffickers longer and enforced. Currently, most traffickers receive a slap on the wrist or a very short time in jail, especially if it is their first or second time being arrested.
It was a very good presentation, and we thank Tony for all of the valuable information presented.
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