School of Social Work Sheds Light on Human Trafficking

Last night, The Howard University School of Social Work Student Council presented an event entitled "Human Trafficking Uncovered". The event, held in the school of social work auditorium, featured speakers Shamere McKenzie and Holly Smith, both survivors of human sex trafficking and Public Health Analyst Deanna R. McPherson.

The speakers presented the truth behind human sex trafficking and hard hitting statistics behind the $7 billion industry.

"There is a misconception that sex trafficking doesn't happen here in America, but it does happen, even in your own backyard", said McPherson.

McPherson and McKenzie spoke about how American society subtly embraces human trafficking through certain cultural elements such as music and fashion.

McKenzie pointed out that if you listen to certain popular rap songs such as Ludacris's "Pimpin All Over the World" and Jay Z's "Big Pimpin", the concepts of "pimping" and trafficking are explained thoroughly. Even Three 6 Mafia's Academy Award winning song "It's Hard Out here For A Pimp" idolizes the role of a pimp.

Smith spoke about her experience of being molested by a family member at the age of ten and being sold for sex at the age of 14.

"It ruined my self-confidence and happiness. I was too afraid to speak out and say something because I felt this was just the life I was supposed to live."

Smith now chooses to speak out in order to help other girls who may be silently suffering.

All three speakers offered advice on how to identify sex trafficking victims and put on two role play skits that allowed for the audience to learn how to identify a sex trafficking scenario.

‘Anytime force, fraud or coercion is involved, it is a trafficking situation", McKenzie said.

McPherson identified the vast amount of venues where sex trafficking takes place. Such venues include sex houses, online porn, strip clubs, escort delivery systems and domestic pimp control.

McPherson also touched on the subject of a growing problem among unhelpful social workers.

"Although we understand this doesn't pertain to all social workers, there are certain social workers out there who are not tending to the victim's needs because they don't believe their stories and they are turning the victims away. This is leaving victims helpless."

Human Trafficking is a quiet epidemic in our society. There are currently over 30 million sex slaves in the world. The local DC area offers many outlets for sex trafficking victims such as "Courtney's House", ‘Bridge To Freedom Foundation", "Restoration Ministries", ‘Fair Fund' and "Polaris Project".

McPherson concluded the program with saying, "If you see something, say something".

If you or someone you know is a victim of human trafficking call the National Human Trafficking Resource Hotline at -1-888-3737-888.