DARIEN – Dozens of people gathered at Saint Thomas More Church to learn more about how to recognize and support actions to stop human trafficking in this region and around the world.
“Trafficking is happening here,” said Jamie Manirakiza, Executive Director of the Partnership to End Human Trafficking (PEHT). “It’s discreet and coercive in nature. It’s not like the drama in movies such as Taken. Victims are in plain sight.”
Manirakiza gave a presentation in the Parish Hall about how the organization, located in Bridgeport, uses the “Three E Strategy”: Empower, Educate and Embrace in offering a sustainable long-term strategy to aid in the fight to end human trafficking.
“Our primary function is to provide housing and long-term support for victims,” Manirakiza said. “They need healing, restoration and hope.”
A video of survivors sharing their story was played for the more than 50 people gathered at the meeting. The video highlighted the struggles victims face after escaping from a life of being trafficked. Four of the women PEHT is helping are currently living in Bridgeport.
Manirakiza said human traffickers prey on the most vulnerable in society.
Victims are often recruited with false promises of jobs and a better life. They can be recruited from other countries but traffickers also target at-risk populations, such as the poor, those without jobs, the homeless and people who are disconnected from stable support networks.
“Wherever you have the Internet, which is in every corner of the globe at this point, you have sex and labor trafficking,” Manirakiza said, adding that it’s important to teach kids about the dangers of the internet and about safe dating since it’s not uncommon for young people to be lured on the internet with elaborate vacations or fancy clothes only to be tricked into being trafficked.
Human trafficking is among the world’s fastest growing criminal enterprises and is estimated to be a $150 billion-a-year global industry.
Manirakiza showed mugshots of the same women after multiple arrests over time and the deterioration of their physical appearance in addition to their obvious mental and spiritual anguish, provoked audible gasps from those gathered.
“If you have volunteered at a soup kitchen or food pantry you probably served someone who has experienced being a prostituted person,” Manirakiza said and explained how victims can be made to work long hours with little pay if at all and many feel like they have no recourse because they may not have proper legal documentation to go to authorities or they fear retaliation against themselves of their loved ones from the trafficker.
“Victims in human trafficking endure unimaginable suffering,” said Cece Donoghue, a parishioner at St. Thomas More Parish and a member of the Order of Malta.
A few years ago, Donoghue said she learned about modern day slavery in the tri-state area after attending a program at the United Nations through the Order of Malta, a lay religious order of the Roman Catholic Church, which seeks to glorify God by promoting the sanctification of each member through his or her work with the sick and the poor and witness of the Catholic faith.
“I learned about people being bought and sold in my own neighborhood and I wanted to help raise awareness and educate others about it,” Donoghue said.
In fact, recently authorities charged a man and a woman with sex trafficking minors in Norwalk.
The Partnership to End Human Trafficking is one of several organizations trying to make a difference.
“We are here to support individuals in their healing journey,” Manirakiza said, adding that PEHT will be assuming the operations of a similar program in Hartford soon.
PEHT also offers survivors an opportunity to create survivor-made products for home, pets and life. The items are offered online and at the PEHT shop located at the Bishop Arcade historic shopping center on Main Street in Bridgeport.
CT Area of the Order of Malta members support the survivors at PEHT and work with them in the PEHT SHOP making products, mentoring survivors and assisting them with moving into their own home after completing their two-year recovery program.
How to help
Manirakiza said some ways to recognize human trafficking include if people seem scared, avoid eye contact or don’t talk to you. She said there is an element of trauma bordering on loyalty to their trafficker.
She said vetting businesses you may hire, making intentional decisions about what and where you purchase food, clothing or other items are ways that individuals can have an impact on trafficking. It is a supply and demand issue, she said.
Pursuing legislative and policy changes on the state and federal level or engaging with people in the service industry are effective ways to start.
“As people of faith we recognize that planting a seed, like the mustard seed, is important,” she said, adding that a seed of awareness can offer hope to those you may suspect of being victimized.
The informational meeting was eye-opening to many in attendance.
“It’s really shocking that it’s gotten to this point, that people are so evil,” said Lisa Schofield, a parishioner of Saint Thomas More. “The most shocking thing is that it’s so close to home,” she said.
Schofield and fellow attendee, Patricia Hellman of Ridgefield said they would both make more deliberate decisions in what they purchase, who they hire and plant that mustard seed of awareness to those they may encounter in the service industry.
Donoghue said the Bridgeport Diocese is actively continuing to combat trafficking through the many programs of Catholic Charities and other Diocesan programs that are designed to lift people up and out of poverty and despair. Raising awareness is paramount to ending human trafficking.
“Talk about it. Raise awareness,” Donoghue said at the conclusion of the meeting. “Let’s keep the conversation going.”
