Breaking the Chain: Stop Human Trafficking in Alaska

Signs of Human Trafficking can include:

1. An inability to come and go as you wish.
2. A minor (under 18 years old) performing sex acts for money or something of value such as food, clothing, housing, alcohol, or drugs.
3. A pimp or another individual is controlling you.
4. You have few or no personal possessions and are not in control of your own money.
5. You are unpaid or paid very little by your employer.

There are two types of trafficking:

Sex Trafficking occurs when an adult is compelled to engage in commercial sex by force, fraud, coercion, or any time a minor is engaged in commercial sex.

Labor Trafficking involves children and adults compelled to perform labor or services by force, fraud, or coercion. Employers may use physical or psychological control.

Anyone can fall victim to human trafficking, even you. Human trafficking is not limited by sex, socioeconomic status, race, or ethnicity. Traffickers prey on individuals seeking better opportunities, often with promises of a better life.

Who are traffickers?

• Traffickers can be anyone – adults or children, male or female. Some are strangers, and others are peers, friends, or romantic partners. Traffickers may meet victims in-person or online.
• Family members will sometimes traffic their own relatives for money or drugs.
• Traffickers may make offers of false employment, such as modeling, singing, or dancing.
• Traffickers may also pose as a boyfriend, romantic partner, or caregiver to build trust, power, and control before exploiting their victims.

Where does human trafficking occur?

• Human trafficking can happen anywhere, both in rural and urban communities.
• People can be trafficked in legal industries such as factories, farms, construction sites, restaurants, bars, or private homes in your community.
• People can also be trafficked through illicit means, including internet-based commercial sex, street-based commercial sex, brothels, and the drug trade.

Why is it hard for people to leave trafficking situations?

1. Traffickers work hard to stop victims from leaving. They use physical force such as rape and kidnapping or threaten to hurt the victim or someone the victim cares about.
2. Traffickers may control through blackmail, such as threatening to share personal information or explicit photos.
3. Traffickers take time to build trust and an emotional connection. They may manipulate victims into believing they are the only person who loves them.
4. Traffickers separate victims from their friends and family, making them depend on the trafficker for their basic needs.

Tips for Protecting Yourself Against Human Trafficking

1. Stay Safe Online. Develop good social media habits. Reduce your risk by screening friends and follower requests. Make your profiles private. Be careful what information you share online, especially with strangers.
2. Know Your Worth. Traffickers prey on individuals with low self-esteem. Your culture can be a source of pride. Learn about your tribal identity and heritage, including your oral traditions, tribal language, and songs.
3. Stay in School and Avoid Drugs and Alcohol. Get involved in after-school activities and youth programs. Drug or alcohol use makes it easier for someone to take advantage of you.
4. Stay Connected. Traffickers look for the loners. Maintain good relationships with family and friends. Reach out to them when you need help or are feeling lonely.
5. Research a Job Offer Before Taking It. Verify your potential employer, only accept legal work, and ensure you have a written employment agreement.

Join us for our Gathering Circle to make and drink Russian Tea while working on a beading project with Hazel Nevak.

Time: Wednesday, January 18 | 6-8pm

Location: VNT Community Hall – 1750 Eiger Dr. Valdez, AK 99686

Valdez Food Bank Distribution Dates:

Location: 278 Richardson Highway, Valdez, AK 99686

January 1 | 1-3pm

January 15 | 1-3pm

January 29 | 1-3pm

JANUARY 2023 – IMPORTANT DATES

Sunday, January 1 | New Years Day 2023

Monday, January 2 | Observance of New Years – VNT Closed

Saturday, January 7 | Russian Orthodox Christmas

Monday, January 16 | Martin Luther King Jr. Day – VNT Closed

Wednesday, January 18 | Victims Services Gathering Circle

VALDEZ NATIVE TRIBE CONTACT INFORMATION

Samantha Dziatkiewicz, Victims Services Director (907) 255-7172

Keristyn Weber, Advocate (907) 255-7413

VNT Office Phone (907) 835-8069

Mailing Address – P.O. Box 1634, Valdez, AK 99686

This project is funded by Grant 2020-VO-GX-0097 awarded by the U.S. Department of Justice, Office of Justice Programs, Office for Victims of Crime. The opinions, findings, conclusions, and recommendations expressed are those of the contributors and do not necessarily represent the official position or policies of the U.S Department of Justice.