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240605 Youth Advisory Council AgendaThe Corporation of the Town of Tillsonburg Youth Advisory Council Meeting AGENDA Wednesday, June 5, 2024 4:30 PM The Upper Deck Youth Centre 19 Queen Street 1.Call to Order 2.Adoption of Agenda Moved By: ________________ Seconded By: ________________ THAT the agenda as prepared for the Youth Advisory Council Meeting of June 5, 2024 be approved. 3. Disclosures of Pecuniary Interest and the General Nature Thereof 4.Adoption of Minutes of Previous Meeting Moved By: ________________ Seconded By: ________________ THAT the minutes of the May 1, 2024 Youth Advisory Council meeting be approved. 5.Presentation 5.1 Rotary Club of Tillsonburg - Awareness of Human Slavery and Sex Trafficking - Presented by Gloria Aykroyd and Katherine Donaldson 6.General Business and Reports 6.1 Youth Questionnaire Moved By: ________________ Seconded By: ________________ THAT report CS 24-067 Youth Questionnaire be received as information.A. 7.Next Meeting 8.Adjournment Moved By: ________________ Seconded By: ________________ THAT the Youth Advisory Council be adjourned at pm. Page 2 of 52 1 The Corporation of the Town of Tillsonburg Youth Advisory Council Meeting MINUTES Wednesday, May 1, 2024 4:30 PM The Upper Deck Youth Centre 19 Queen Street ATTENDANCE: Scott Gooding Sorraya Buchanan-St.Gelais Scarlet Robson Sophie Hicks Kelly Spencer Deb Gilvesy Jaxon Gundry Tyla Thiessen Adam Thiessen Regrets: Liam Spencer-Enright Dakshneel Singh Chris Parker Naima Sandoval Mya Williams Randi Crawford Staff: Hillary Miller _____________________________________________________________________ 1. Call to Order The meeting was called to order at 4:36 pm. 2. Adoption of Agenda Page 3 of 52 2 Jaxon arrived at 4:37 PM Resolution # 1 Moved By: Tyla Thiessen Seconded By: Scarlet Robson THAT the agenda as prepared for the Youth Advisory Council meeting of May 1, 2024 be approved. Carried 3. Disclosures of Pecuniary Interest and the General Nature Thereof None 4. Adoption of Minutes of Previous Meeting Resolution # 2 Moved By: Sophie Hicks Seconded By: Adam Thiessen THAT the minutes of the April 3, 2024 meeting be approved. Carried 5. General Business and Reports 5.1 Youth Questionnaire Need to establish categories first and then can develop sub-questions. Categories could include:  Recreation, Sports, and Programs and Clubs  Youth Space, especially places to hang out with friends  Arts and Culture  Shopping  Wellness  Barriers Councillor Spencer to reach out to CBYF to get a copy of their survey. The previous BIA survey to be included on the next agenda. Page 4 of 52 3 Looking to get the survey out in October. The Youth discussed the idea of having a Youth specific page on the Town's website. Could also be a page for the survey as well. Will discuss further in the fall. 6. Next Meeting The next meeting is on June 5, 2024. 7. Adjournment Resolution # 3 Moved By: Scarlet Robson Seconded By: Jaxon Gundry THAT the Youth Advisory Council be adjourned at 5:31 pm. Carried Page 5 of 52 ROTARY YOUTH HUMAN TRAFFICKING AWARENESS PROGRAM Page 6 of 52 YO U T H HUMAN TRAFFICKING AWA R E N E SS PROGRAM WITH A21 + ROTARY ACTION GROUP AGAINST SLAVERY ROTARY Page 7 of 52 CONTENTSINTRODUCTION 03 Table of Contents 04 Copyright, Disclaimer, & Content Note 05 Reporting Procedure & Protocol 09 Program Overview 11 A21 Overview 12 Rotary and RAGAS Overview CONTENT 14 Human Trafficking Overview 27 Take Action RESOURCES 32 Resource Overview APPENDIX 41 Survey 42 Additional Resources for Research EXTENSION 34 Major Projects ROTARY YOUTH HUMAN TRAFFICKING AWARENESS PROGRAM // 3 Page 8 of 52 COPYRIGHT © A21 USA, Inc. 2024. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without the prior permission of A21 USA, Inc. Requests for permission should be emailed to info@A21.org; subject: copyright permission. DISCLAIMER All of the names and stories in this resource are fictitious. The names in each case do not personify or represent any specific individual. The regions in each case do not depict any form of human trafficking exclusively in those regions. CONTENT NOTE This program contains material that could be triggering for some who have experienced abuse and trauma. Some may be reminded of past or current abuse and wish to disclose this to a friend or safe, trusted adult, or some may have an emotional or physical response. See the next section to learn about reporting procedures and protocol. A QUICK NOTE ROTARY YOUTH HUMAN TRAFFICKING AWARENESS PROGRAM // 4 Page 9 of 52 REPORTING PROTOCOL & PROCEDURE Page 10 of 52 REPORTING PROTOCOL (US): As an individual caller, you may hesitate to call with only a little information. You may think it won’t result in anything or help in any way. But you don’t know how many other callers have reported the same location, situation, or individual. A few calls about one street, address, or activity can urge law enforcement to investigate it. Your call may be what was needed to solve a case in progress. It is important to remember that if you see a potential situation of trafficking, you should not intervene in any way. This may put you or the potential victim in harm’s way, so the best thing you can do is call the human trafficking hotline or 911 if it is an emergency. The national human trafficking hotline is simple to use, safe to call, and effective at saving lives. Hotlines play an integral role in breaking the cycle of trafficking. Should you witness or suspect human trafficking, your willingness to call the hotline on behalf of another is probably one of the greatest actions you could take in the fight to end human trafficking. Here are some tips to help you make an effective report: ›Be as specific as possible! ›Do you know the exact time, date, and location of what you observed? ›Do you have any identifying information like names or nicknames? ›Does anyone involved have tattoos or piercings? Or anything that could serve as an identifiable trait? ›Did you see any vehicle information, license plate numbers, or hotel room numbers? ›Do you have the web address, screen names, or email addresses if you saw something concerning online? Make a report, but please, if the victim appears to be in immediate danger, call 911! REPORTING PROCEDURE (US): For emergency services, call 911 For suspected trafficking of an adult, contact the National Human Trafficking Hotline operated by the Polaris Project. Trained call specialists are available 24/7 to provide local resources for victims or survivors of human trafficking. ›Call 1-888-373-7888 ›Text 233733 ›Submit a tip online through the anonymous online reporting form ROTARY YOUTH HUMAN TRAFFICKING AWARENESS PROGRAM // 6 Page 11 of 52 PRO TIP: Save the hotline number in your phone for easy access to call quickly if you suspect trafficking! For suspected trafficking of a minor, contact the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC). The hotline is available 24/7 to connect you to the resources you need. ›Call 1-800-THE-LOST (1-800-843-5678) ›Report child sexual exploitation online at CyberTipline.org Additional resources: ›Domestic Violence: Call the National Domestic Violence 24-hour Hotline at 1-800-799-SAFE (7233) ›Sexual Abuse: Call the Rape, Abuse and Incest National Network (RAINN) 24-hour Hotline at 1-800- 656-4673 ›Suicide: Call the 24-hour National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 988 ›Dating Violence: Call the National Teen Dating Abuse 24-hour Helpline at 1-866-331-9474 ›Runaway and Homeless Youth: Call the 24-hour National Runaway Safeline at 1-800-RUNAWAY (786-2929) PRO TIP: You can call your local law enforcement non-emergency number, in addition to a hotline number, to speed up communication. To find your local law enforcement non-emergency number, look up [your city] non-emergency number. ROTARY YOUTH HUMAN TRAFFICKING AWARENESS PROGRAM // 7 Page 12 of 52 HOTLINESEmergency Services Call 911 National Human Trafficking Hotline Call 1-888-373-7888 Text 233733 National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) Call 1-800-THE-LOST (1-800-843-5678) Report child sexual exploitation online at CyberTipline.org National Domestic Violence 24-hour Hotline Call 1-800-799-SAFE (7233) Rape, Abuse and Incest National Network (RAINN) 24-hour Hotline Call 1-800-656-4673 24-hour National Suicide Prevention Lifeline Call 988 National Teen Dating Abuse 24-hour Helpline Call 1-866-331-9474 24-hour National Runaway Safeline Call 1-800-RUNAWAY (786-2929) ROTARY YOUTH HUMAN TRAFFICKING AWARENESS PROGRAM // 8 Page 13 of 52 PROGRAM OVERVIEW The Rotary Youth Human Trafficking Awareness Program is a comprehensive awareness program designed to teach youth about exploitation and human trafficking and how to take action against it. Page 14 of 52 WHAT ARE THE GOALS? 1. Educate youth on human trafficking. 2. Empower youth to take action against human trafficking in their community. 3. Equip youth with practical ways to get involved in the fight against human trafficking. WHO IS IT FOR? Youth ages 11-18 years old. It can be facilitated with any size group or done individually. HOW LONG IS THE PROGRAM? This program was created to be flexible and can be tailored to the needs of an individual or youth group/ program. There are two main parts: the human trafficking overview and the take action portion, with an extension of major projects. For the human trafficking overview, allot 30 minutes to one hour to read through the introductory material or teach it to a group. For those who want to get involved but only have a short time to commit, there is a take-action portion with steps anyone can do at any time at various periods. Major projects are included in the extension for those who want to commit weeks or months to a project aimed at stopping human trafficking. HOW IS IT STRUCTURED? Main program: The main program consists of learning about human trafficking and taking action in your community. Extension: Builds upon the main program and consists of major service projects that will be more time- consuming. Appendix: A list of resources to help further your education on trafficking or to research the issue in depth, with copies of all resources listed in the resource overview. WHAT ARE THE DELIVERY METHODS? Ideally, the program would be delivered in a group setting so youth have a group to learn, discuss, and get involved with; however, the program can be facilitated in various ways. Individually: A youth wanting to learn more and get involved would be able to follow this program. In a group with a facilitator: This could look like a group with an adult sponsor facilitating, or it could be the same group having one of the youth facilitating. ROTARY YOUTH HUMAN TRAFFICKING AWARENESS PROGRAM // 10 Page 15 of 52 A21 OVERVIEW WHO WE ARE A21 is a global anti-human trafficking organization dedicated to ending human trafficking through proven solutions from around the world. While there are millions enslaved in the world today, A21 continues to focus on the one—the one man, the one woman, and the one child trapped in slavery. Our holistic approach to abolishing modern-day slavery is to reduce vulnerability, assist victims, and empower survivors. Through partnerships and the efforts of supporters all over the globe, A21 believes slavery can be prevented, victims can be identified and assisted, perpetrators can be brought to justice, and millions of survivors can step into a life of independence. For more information, visit: A21.org. OUR MISSION To abolish modern-day slavery everywhere, forever. OUR BEGINNINGS A21 began in 2008, and since then, we have established field offices, community centers, child advocacy centers, and administrative bases globally. Each office is unique in its strategy and operational approach. For a complete list of A21 locations, visit A21.org/wherewework. ROTARY YOUTH HUMAN TRAFFICKING AWARENESS PROGRAM // 11 Page 16 of 52 WHO WE ARE Rotary is a global network of 1.4 million neighbors, friends, leaders, and problem-solvers who see a world where people unite and take action to create lasting change – across the globe, in our communities, and in ourselves. OUR MISSION We provide service to others, promote integrity, and advance world understanding, goodwill, and peace through our fellowship of business, professional, and community leaders. OUR VISION Together, we see a world where people unite and take action to create lasting change — across the globe, in our communities, and in ourselves. ROTARY YOUTH HUMAN TRAFFICKING AWARENESS PROGRAM // 12 ROTARY OVERVIEW Page 17 of 52 WHO WE ARE The Rotary Action Group Against Slavery (RAGAS) is committed to connecting, empowering, and equipping Rotarians to engage their communities to eradicate all forms of Modern Slavery/Human Trafficking locally and around the globe. OUR MISSION Freedom is a basic human right. We believe that collectively, we have a shared responsibility to take action on our world’s most persistent issues because the world should be FREE of Modern Slavery/Human Trafficking. Without freedom, individuals and communities cannot achieve basic education, economic development, or peace. RAGAS Members, Clubs, and Districts work together to promote education, peace, freedom, and healing in the world. ROTARY YOUTH HUMAN TRAFFICKING AWARENESS PROGRAM // 13 RAGAS OVERVIEW DISCLAIMER This Rotary Action Group is not an agency of, or controlled by Rotary International. Page 18 of 52 HUMAN TRAFFICKING OVERVIEW Page 19 of 52 INTRODUCTION To begin, please scan the QR code to watch this short introduction video! DEFINITION Human trafficking is the illegal trade of human beings. It’s the recruitment, control, and use of people for their bodies and labor through force, fraud, and coercion. Children under the age of 18 in the United States do not have to be forced, frauded, or coerced into human trafficking for it to be a crime. GLOBAL FACTS AND STATISTICS Human trafficking is the fastest-growing organized crime, with an estimated US $236 billion in illicit profit for the traffickers and those who help facilitate the crime.1 There are an estimated 49.6 million people in modern slavery today.2 More than half of these 49.6 million people are women and girls. However, men and boys are increasingly becoming victims of trafficking.3 Roughly 1 in 4 human trafficking victims are children. 4 UNITED STATES FACTS AND STATISTICS In the United States, human trafficking has been reported in every state.5 American citizens are trafficked internally within the United States and abroad, and foreign national victims are also brought to the United States to be exploited.6 Foreign national victims of human trafficking also flee to the United States for refuge after being trafficked in their home country. Labor trafficking of foreign national victims affects agricultural, construction, massage, salon services, hospitality, manufacturing, and food processing industries. Labor trafficking victims may also be victims of sexual abuse in the US.7 1. International Labour Organization (2024). Profits and poverty: The economics of forced labour. pp. 13. Retrieved from https://www.ilo.org/publications/profits-and-poverty-economics-forced-labour-1 2. Global Slavery Index. (2022). Global Slavery Index Report 2022. pp. 2. Retrieved from https://cdn.walkfree.org/content/uploads/2022/09/12142341/GEMS-2022_Report_EN_V8.pdf 3. Ibid, 19. 4. Ibid, 22. 5. Polaris, Human Trafficking Hotline (U.S., 2022), http://humantraffickinghotline.org/states. 6. U.S. Department of State, Trafficking in Persons Report 22nd Ed., July 2022, https://www.state.gov/reports/2022-trafficking-in-persons-report/. 7. According to data from A21 and the U.S. Department of State, Trafficking in Persons Report 22nd Ed., July 2022, https://www.state.gov/reports/2022-trafficking-in-persons-report/. ROTARY YOUTH HUMAN TRAFFICKING AWARENESS PROGRAM // 15 Page 20 of 52 MAIN TYPES OF TRAFFICKING ROTARY YOUTH HUMAN TRAFFICKING AWARENESS PROGRAM // 16 8. Definitions taken from A21. 9. A21 US Counter-Trafficking Toolkit Resource Guide. pp. 8. Child Sexual Expolitation A form of child abuse in which an adult or older adolescent uses a child for sexual stimulation. Forms of child sexual exploitation include but are not limited to engaging in sexual activities, child sex trafficking, the sale of a child, and online child sexual exploitation. While some forms may involve a commercial element to the exploitation, there is almost always some form of abuse of power or vulnerability. Perpetrators may use physical, emotional, or sexual abuse as a form of control.9 In the United States, any child under the age of 18 who engages in commercial sex (whether there was consent or not) is considered to be a victim of child sexual exploitation. Sex Trafficking When someone is forced, deceived, or coerced into performing a commercial sex act. Sex trafficking can include commercial sexual exploitation in sex tourism, pornography, and strip clubs.8 Page 21 of 52 ROTARY YOUTH HUMAN TRAFFICKING AWARENESS PROGRAM // 17 Forced labor When someone is forced to work in captivity for little or no pay. It does not depend on the type or sector of work but only on whether it was imposed on a person against their will through coercion. There must be both a lack of free and informed consent and coercion for a job to be considered forced labor.10 10. Global Slavery Index. (2022). Global Slavery Index Report 2022. pp. 4, 18, 20, 31, 36 Retrieved from https://cdn.walkfree.org/content/uploads/2022/09/12142341/GEMS-2022_Report_EN_V8.pdf 11. Definitions taken from A21. Involuntary Domestic Servitude When a person is forced to work and live in the same place for little or no pay. It consists of an individual working in a private residence, making inspection by authorities more difficult. Domestic workers often are not given the same basic benefits and protections that are ordinarily bestowed upon workers.11 Page 22 of 52 12. Definitions taken from A21. 13. Definitions taken from A21. 14. A21 US Counter-Trafficking Toolkit Resource Guide. pp. 8. Bonded labor (also known as debt bondage or peonage) A form of forced labor often made to look like an ordinary employment agreement. However, in the agreement, the worker starts with a debt to repay. This worker finds out later that the debt is impossible to repay, thus making their enslavement permanent. Workers may also inherit intergenerational or ancestral debt in more traditional systems of bonded labor.12 Child Soldiers The unlawful recruitment or use of children—through force, fraud, or coercion—as combatants or for labor or sexual exploitation by armed forces. Thousands of children are currently serving as child soldiers around the world. These children are commonly forced into sexual slavery, fighting on the front lines, participating in suicide missions, and acting as spies, messengers, or lookouts.13 RECRUITMENT METHODS14 False job advertisements/opportunities This recruitment method uses the false promise of a job to traffic people for both labor and sex. Labor trafficking is one of the most common outcomes. Some things to keep in mind to avoid false job advertisements are being aware of the legal minimum age for your area (this may vary depending on the industry), ensuring there is an employment contract in place, getting details of any travel arrangements, never giving your identification documents to anyone, notifying your family or friends of any employment travel, knowing your rights, and doing your research. Don’t be afraid to report a suspicious job advertisement or situation. The loverboy or Romeo trafficker These traffickers identify people with vulnerabilities and know exactly how to meet their needs. They take their victims through different phases: dating, grooming, and then turning out/breaking. ›In the dating phase, the trafficker pretends to be exactly what their victim longs for. Whether that’s promising them love, protection, a better life, etc., they know what to promise that meets exactly what the victim is looking for. ›Grooming can begin during the dating phase, and that phase can range from a few days to a few months or even years, depending on the individual the trafficker is attempting to recruit. ›During the dating phase, traffickers begin to push boundaries and say things that will make their victims feel comfortable and open to the idea of selling themselves. Sometimes, it is by telling them that they need more money to support their dreams, or sometimes, it’s letting them know that they don’t mind them being with other people. ROTARY YOUTH HUMAN TRAFFICKING AWARENESS PROGRAM // 18 Page 23 of 52 Familial trafficking This happens in some situations when family members themselves recruit and sell victims. This might be due to chronic poverty, financial hardship, or funding for an addiction to a substance. False relationships This can be when someone is recruited through perceived “friends” who befriended them solely to exploit them. It might be the case that someone the victim has known for some time offers an opportunity that the victim is willing to take without a thorough check due to the trust in the “friend.” ›The turning out/breaking is when a trafficker sells the person for the very first time. This is when they know they have full control over the victim. The promise of a better life This can look like someone being coerced or deceived into a situation of exploitation simply through the promise of a better standard of living or higher pay. The trafficker, who may be a stranger, acquaintance, or family member, usually promotes the fantasy of a lavish lifestyle, dream job, or opportunity that seems too good to be true. The victim, persuaded by this alluring picture, will agree to the opportunity based on this false promise. Abduction There is an often misconceived stereotype that those who are trafficked are abducted or kidnapped. While abduction into exploitation by a stranger can happen, it is much more likely that victims will be recruited through deception or coercion. INDICATORS15 It’s important to remember that no single indicator can confirm the existence of human trafficking, but several indicators combined suggest an increased likelihood of exploitation. General indicators of trafficking, potential victim(s) may: Lack information about where they are traveling, staying, or working. Have few personal belongings or be dressed inappropriately for the weather conditions. Travel alone and receive frequent calls or messages on their phone (from the trafficker), which causes visible anxiety. Appear aggressive or hesitant to talk with law enforcement; some victims may appear to be anxious or fearful. 15. A21 US Counter-Trafficking Toolkit. Recognizing Human Trafficking. pp. 8. ROTARY YOUTH HUMAN TRAFFICKING AWARENESS PROGRAM // 19 Page 24 of 52 Have minimal-to-no details about the working or living situation. Be accompanied by someone they do not seem to know or who is not a close friend or family member. Be controlled and/or are not in control of their identification documents. Seem unfamiliar with their surroundings or lost. Seem distrustful, fearful, or hostile. Be controlled, abused, or surveilled by their employer. Indicators of sex trafficking: The potential victim(s) use language that mimics familial relationships, such as referring to the trafficker as “husband” or “boyfriend” or other victims as “family.” This language is to enforce loyalty and prevent victims from leaving or speaking out. Adult domestic sex trafficking is reflective of domestic violence relationships. Many victims may be allowed to travel alone, but they must call or text frequently to check-in. They may have rules about who they can and cannot speak with while out. The potential victim(s) have tattoos or other marks indicating ownership by the trafficker (i.e., a boyfriend’s street name, crown, dollar signs, or pimp/prostitution-related language). The potential victim(s) are in possession of items or clothing that are commonly used for sexual purposes. If the potential victim(s) do not speak the local language, they may know a few words relating to the sex industry. The potential victim(s) have no money or personal finances and depend on someone else to pay for them. The potential victim(s) may have no identification or possess fraudulent documents, or someone else may be in possession of their identification documents. Indicators of forced labor and domestic servitude: The potential victim(s) live in unsuitable housing, such as outhouses, sheds, or agricultural/industrial buildings. The potential victim(s) have no access to their finances. They may have bank accounts opened in their name, which they do not have access to or control over. The potential victim(s) have no labor contract, or the contract may be unsuitable or illegal. The potential victim(s) depend on the employer for employment, transportation, housing, and meals. The potential victim(s) lack suitable training or professional qualifications. The potential victim(s) are forced to pay for work equipment, including tools or workwear. The potential victim(s) are forced to eat leftovers or insubstantial meals. The potential victim(s) are rarely/never allowed to leave the premises without the employer or supervision. ROTARY YOUTH HUMAN TRAFFICKING AWARENESS PROGRAM // 20 Page 25 of 52 Indicators of online child sexual exploitation: The child is socially and emotionally isolated from their friends/family. The child becomes withdrawn and/or exhibits secretive behavior. The child spends excessive amounts of time texting or chatting with someone online. The child’s behavior and school performance decline. The child is not in school or frequently skips school. The child has gifts that cannot be explained or accounted for. It’s important to note that the indicators stated above are not exhaustive and represent only a selection of possible indicators. Moreover, indicators on these lists will not all be present in each trafficking case. However, they serve as a representative sampling of the behavior types that signify the likelihood of exploitation. Even without these indicators, you can still make a report if you suspect exploitation. ROTARY YOUTH HUMAN TRAFFICKING AWARENESS PROGRAM // 21 Page 26 of 52 Vulnerability Human trafficking is a complex crime, and it looks different all over the world. But there is one thing that every victim of trafficking has in common: vulnerability. An individual becomes vulnerable to trafficking and exploitation when they are exposed to individual, socioeconomic, and familial risk factors. Some individual risk factors are age, gender, race and ethnicity, mental health, disabilities, sexual assault, substance abuse, gender identity, and sexual orientation. Some socioeconomic risk factors are homelessness, financial insecurity, access to education and healthcare, displacement, and unsafe migration. The main familial risk factors are abuse, neglect, and household dysfunction. These three categories hold various types of abuse, neglect, and household dysfunction, from physical abuse to emotional neglect to a divorce in the household. CYCLE OF TRAFFICKING Exploitation More than ever, human beings are exploited for their bodies and labor. Victimization occurs when someone is coerced, deceived, forced, or otherwise subject to an abuse of power. This exploitation can look like false job opportunities, a loverboy method, or being sold by a family member into labor or sex trafficking. In our world, there’s a demand for things like forced prostitution and labor, and humans, unlike a commodity, can be sold not once but time and time again. Re-Victimization This exploitation amplifies unresolved vulnerability, and without intervention, victims can be repeatedly revictimized. When a survivor exits a trafficking situation, the resulting trauma combined with the original unresolved risk factors perpetuates the likelihood of being re-exploited, and the cycle of trafficking continues. Re- victimization is an issue that a diverse range of survivors face regardless of factors such as gender, age, nationality, or exploitation type. Reports show that the circumstances an individual faces after their initial trafficking experience directly influence their vulnerability to re-victimization. Factors that have been found to facilitate re-trafficking are typically associated with the economic, social, and personal circumstances that the survivor faces. For example, original risk factors such as poverty, homelessness, lack of social support, and unemployment may increase the likelihood of re-victimization. ROTARY YOUTH HUMAN TRAFFICKING AWARENESS PROGRAM // 22 Page 27 of 52 SURVIVOR STORIES Even in the darkest moments, there is hope. A21 has seen firsthand survivors overcome trauma and live a life of freedom. These survivors’ stories bring awareness to what trafficking can and has looked like in an everyday setting. *The names of survivors have been changed for their protection. Page 28 of 52 ROTARY YOUTH HUMAN TRAFFICKING AWARENESS PROGRAM // 24 TIMOTHEE Growing up, Timothee always struggled to connect with people his age. While in school, he joined different clubs and tried to participate in multiple sports, and he never found one he felt comfortable in, let alone connected with. After multiple failed attempts, Timothee found himself after school turning on his live online game systems, trying to forget about the real world. In the games, he was able to be himself and easily connect with people without the pressure of seeing them face to face. One day, he met a girl he really liked online who played the same games as him. After talking for some time, she asked him to send revealing pictures of himself and she did the same. However, it wasn’t long after sending the pictures that the girl revealed herself to be a male in his 20s. He told Timothee that in order for him not to send the pictures to his school, he would need Timothee to start a webcamming account and send him all the funds. For a year, Timothee was forced to make money online and send it to this man fearing his pictures being leaked. After finally having enough, he told a friend at school who then told a teacher, and eventually, law enforcement became involved. Law enforcement connected Timothee to A21 for aftercare services and his caseworker was able to help him refocus on his goals and ambitions for the future. Since working with A21, Timothee has received counseling services and has been re-connected with his community at school. He’s been able to process what happened to him and is working with a team of individuals who are meeting Timothee where he is in his journey to healing. Page 29 of 52 ROTARY YOUTH HUMAN TRAFFICKING AWARENESS PROGRAM // 25 LUCIANA Luciana’s parents left Central America for the United States in search of a life for their family that would provide them with their basic human rights and removes the fear that came with leaving their house each day. Hoping she would join them once they were settled, she remained behind with her grandparents. At 14, her grandparents hired a coyote to reunite her with her parents. She began her journey and after months of walking and not knowing where the next stopping place would be, they arrived at a farm thinking this was a place to rest along the way. The red flags were not immediately visible. There Luciana was forced to work excessive hours, never receiving payment as promised. Time in the fields was hot and filled with peril, from wild animals to the daily elements. At night, she barely slept, jumping at any noise she heard. She was told each day that she would be leaving soon and that they would continue their original journey. Two years passed from when she left home till the coyote delivered her across the southern border of the United States. Upon her crossing, Luciana was identified as a victim of trafficking. She was reunited with her parents and connected with A21 for services. Since joining the Aftercare program, she is working towards her official residence documents and accessing benefits. She has been proactive and following up on the plans she and her caseworker set. Luciana and her parents have visited the Freedom Center where they have access to the grab-n-go room filled with free necessities and have found a place where they can be themselves and process the last several years. She is looking forward to starting school again and dreams of becoming a pediatric doctor! Page 30 of 52 ROTARY YOUTH HUMAN TRAFFICKING AWARENESS PROGRAM // 26 ADALINE After experiencing years of verbal, emotional, and sexual abuse by her family, Adaline was convinced that if she spoke about the abuse, no one would believe her. When she was able to escape home and leave for college, she thought she had finally found freedom. Adaline met a guy in one of her classes who seemed fun and took a genuine interest in getting to know her. Their friendship quickly developed into a romantic relationship and he was quick to say “I love you”. She easily returned those words because, while she may not have known what real love looked like, she knew she had never experienced the emotions she was feeling before. Her boyfriend took her as his date to parties most weekends, proudly flaunting his “beautiful girl” which made her feel more valued than she ever had. Adaline felt like she was living the life she had always dreamt of as she was enjoying her classes, her freedom from her home life, and experiencing the joys of being in love. To help pay for her education, Adaline started looking for employment opportunities. Her boyfriend, who had always highly praised her for her looks, convinced her to attend an audition for a modeling job his friend was hosting. Flattered by his affection and wanting to please him, she agreed to go. He took a few pictures of her as a “portfolio” for the audition and said he would send them to his friend. She thought it was strange when he dropped her off at a hotel for the audition the next day but assumed she was just ignorant of how the modeling agency works. Unfortunately for Adaline, the “audition” was a date and she was sexually assaulted by the man who met her in the room. Hurt and confused, Adaline tried to confront her boyfriend when he picked her up but he suddenly became very cold and distant from her. He told her that if she loves him, she would continue doing this to be able to afford their dream life after college. She never touched any of the money she earned on these “dates” because her boyfriend said he would continue to take care of everything for her. Some of her friends tried to tell her that the dynamics of their relationship were concerning but he convinced her that they were just jealous so eventually, she cut them off. Adaline’s mental health rapidly declined. She dropped out of school and moved in with her boyfriend off campus. He arranged dates every day since she wasn’t in class anymore and needed to make extra money to make up for the expense of living with him. It wasn’t until he became physically abusive that Adaline began looking for a way out of the relationship. Recognizing that maybe her friends had been right, she reached out to one to set up a time to talk when her boyfriend wouldn’t be home. Her friend helped her find the courage to call the police. Once law enforcement got involved, her boyfriend was arrested and Adaline was referred to A21 for services. Since Adaline started working with A21, her caseworker and the team helped support her with the legal case against her boyfriend, assisted her with emergency housing, and helped connect her with resources to find independence. From there, her caseworker helped her find resources to finish her degree and find a job that paid a liveable wage. She is now working towards finding long-term, independent housing and is in counseling to address her mental health challenges and shift her view on what healthy relationships should look like. Page 31 of 52 TAKE ACTION Page 32 of 52 Understand situations of trafficking and be equipped to take appropriate action. When you know what human trafficking looks like, how victims are recruited, and the warning signs of exploitation, you can identify and report suspicious situations. EDUCATE YOURSELF Global Broadcast Watch the A21 Global Broadcasts that cover various topics relating to human trafficking. You can watch by yourself or host a watch party by inviting friends and family. After you watch the Global Broadcast, start conversations with your family and friends by discussing what you learned. Learn more about our broadcasts below: Watch the Global Broadcast featuring Petya’s story, identification training, and more here. Watch the Global Broadcast on the cycle of victimization, recruitment methods, and more here. Watch the Global Broadcast on understanding human trafficking, hotline training, effective reporting, and more here. Can You See Me? (CYSM) Go to A21.org/cysm and explore the different videos to learn about human trafficking. While you watch, pay attention to the different indicators of trafficking. TIP: write the indicators you see as you watch, then compare your lists with friends or family! ROTARY YOUTH HUMAN TRAFFICKING AWARENESS PROGRAM // 28 E-Courses Take our Human Trafficking E-Course, designed to teach what human trafficking looks like, how it can be recognized and reported, and what steps can be taken to help protect against online exploitation. We also have E-Courses for our Safe Relationship and Safe Employment guides, designed to help you stay safe against various recruitment methods. Go to A21.org/e-course to take them! Action Hub Join the A21 Action Hub. This is a great place to start. You can access resources, receive training, and connect with people like you in communities worldwide. Through the Action Hub, you can join a Facebook group to connect with A21 staff and other supporters. Go to A21.org/takeaction to get started! Research New Topics A great way to educate yourself is by researching new topics related to human trafficking. A common topic is fair labor and trade practice: https://buysweatfree.org/ and https://fairtradecampaigns.org/ are great resources to learn more about this. Around holidays such as Valentine’s Day, you could learn more about forced labor in the chocolate industry through https://www.beslaveryfree.com/chocolate. Page 33 of 52 Engage your network to raise awareness of trafficking and advocate for change. By expanding awareness among your community, you educate and empower the people you engage with daily to prevent human trafficking from happening in the first place. MOBILIZE YOUR COMMUNITY Teach your peers Gather your peers and teach them what you have learned about human trafficking. You can keep it broad or narrow it down and focus on a specific topic. Use A21 educational resources, discussion guides, and more to help as you train your peers! Educate your family You can also take steps to educate your family by giving them the A21 parent guides and safety guides. This may look different than educating your peers, but by arming your family with resources, they too can learn about the issue of human trafficking! ROTARY YOUTH HUMAN TRAFFICKING AWARENESS PROGRAM // 29 Social Media Engage with A21 on social media by following @A21 on Instagram. This is often the first place we’ll share updates, survivor stories, and any campaigns we do. Read and share the latest news from our social media to raise awareness in your community. While this is our global platform, A21 has offices around the world, and we have additional Instagram accounts for the countries we operate in. Our local teams run these accounts, and they are a great way to be involved if you are interested in certain countries. Another way to engage people through social media is by using our social media toolkit. Go to A21.org/ media to download graphics that you can post directly from your phone. Engage with RAGAS on Social Media by following @rotary_antislavery on Instagram, @RAGASCentral on X/ Twitter, Rotary Action Group Against Slavery on Facebook, and @ragas5076 on YouTube. Share the Interact projects or take action steps you have done on social media with #RAGASHero to be featured by RAGAS. Walk For Freedom Walk for Freedom is A21’s largest yearly event, and we would love to have you walk with us each October. Join thousands of people around the world as we rally to raise awareness about human trafficking in over 500 cities around the world. To learn more or register, go to A21.org/walk. My Freedom Day My Freedom Day is a day-long student-driven event to raise awareness of modern-day slavery. The main goal of this international campaign started by CNN is to raise awareness about human trafficking. A21 and RAGAS takes part every year by having events with local partners worldwide, and you can, too. Go to a21.org/myfreedomday to learn more or visit www.ragas.online/resources to have your Interact Club participate! Hey! Do you want to go raise awareness for human trafficking? Yeah! Let’s do it! Page 34 of 52 Can You See Me? (CYSM) While you can educate yourself through CYSM, it is also a great way to spread awareness and mobilize your community. This can look like putting up CYSM posters and indicator sheets around your school or neighborhood. You could also take it a step further and ask local organizations if they would post CYSM on billboards, TV ads, movie trailers, and more. Hang Posters Put up Human Trafficking awareness posters around your school, neighborhood, and other places you frequently visit (e.g., grocery stores, coffee shops, fast food restaurants, etc.)! ROTARY YOUTH HUMAN TRAFFICKING AWARENESS PROGRAM // 30 Hold a Candlelight Vigil A candlelight vigil is a great way to raise awareness for human trafficking and something RAGAS has done often. Work with your school and your sponsor Rotary Club, to arrange this. Create a Video November is World Interact Month, so it hosts a video contest. Create a video on human trafficking awareness and the projects you are working on to submit. Community Awareness Campaign Work with your sponsor Rotary Club, to create a community awareness campaign. This could be a school assembly to raise awareness with peers or another event in the community. Participate in Wear Blue Day On January 11 every year, the DHS Blue Campaign hosts Wear Blue Day. This is a day where everyone is encouraged to wear blue to raise awareness of human trafficking. You can do this yourself and encourage fellow students, friends, and family to take part. Visit https://www.dhs.gov/blue-campaign to learn more. Page 35 of 52 Help fund proven solutions around the world, start a fundraising campaign with family and friends, or shop our A21 merch, where every purchase contributes to freedom for another life. FUND A GLOBAL SOLUTION Fundraise Fund a global solution by starting hosting a fundraising event! This could look like a bake sale, a car wash, a raffle with donated items, hosting a 5K, or anything you can think of (for more ideas visit https://ragas. online/). After hosting the fundraiser, you can go to A21.org/fundraise to donate, or you can go to A21. org/shopNC or A21.org/shopDFW to purchase items that will directly help or be given to survivors at A21 Freedom Centers in the US. You can also donate to local organizations fighting human trafficking or use the funds for Interact anti-human trafficking projects. You can donate to RAGAS at www.ragas.online/donate to help in Rotary’s education and prevention work. Shop Shop A21 merchandise at A21.org/shop. At our shop, you can be sure that all our products are ethically sourced. We place a high value on fair wages and working conditions for everyone creating our products. Wearing A21 merch is also a great way to raise awareness by starting conversations. Shop for RAGAS merchandise at http://www.1905gear.com/ ROTARY YOUTH HUMAN TRAFFICKING AWARENESS PROGRAM // 31 Page 36 of 52 RESOURCE OVERVIEW Page 37 of 52 RESOURCE LIST: Digital Safety Guide This guide provides insight into digital safety for students, exposes tactics used by traffickers to recruit victims online, and highlights the differences between safe and unsafe communication. Safe Relationship Guide This guide provides insight into how traffickers foster romantic relationships as a tactic to recruit trafficking victims and highlights the differences between healthy and unhealthy relationships. ROTARY YOUTH HUMAN TRAFFICKING AWARENESS PROGRAM // 33 Safe Employment Guide This guide provides insight into how traffickers use false job opportunities to recruit trafficking victims and provides the warning signs to look for when seeking employment. CYSM Posters These posters provide information on different types of exploitation combined with indicators to help you learn about human trafficking and encourage you to call the hotline if you suspect it. CYSM Youth Guide on Online Child Exploitation This guide provides further insight into the importance of digital safety and how to protect yourself from online exploitation by giving safety tips, characteristics of suspicious people, and reporting information. SCAN QR CODE TO ACCESS SCAN QR CODE TO ACCESS SCAN QR CODE TO ACCESS SCAN QR CODE TO ACCESS SCAN QR CODE TO ACCESS To access different country and language versions of these resources, go to: A21.org/education Page 38 of 52 MAJOR PROJECT IDEAS Page 39 of 52 HOST A WALK FOR FREEDOM ROTARY YOUTH HUMAN TRAFFICKING AWARENESS PROGRAM // 35 Walk for Freedom (WFF) is an annual campaign and day of global awareness and local action in the fight against human trafficking where individuals engage their community through local walk events with the goal of raising awareness about human trafficking in their cities and collectively resulting in a ripple effect around the world. Since 2014, A21 has been hosting WFF all over the world with hundreds of hosts and thousands of participants; our reach grows every year. To apply to host a Walk For Freedom, you must be 18 or older. If you are 18 and want to host a walk, a parent or guardian must complete the application with their personal contact information. To host a WFF, you will have to apply once the applications open. The walk is hosted every October, and host applications are typically available in May leading up to the walk. To host, you must: ›APPLY - Submit your application. ›REVIEW - The A21 team will review your application ›INTERVIEW - If our team feels you are a great candidate, you will be invited to interview to host a walk. ›DECISION - Based on your application, event details, and interview, a decision will be made. Whether you are accepted or declined, you will receive an email from A21 completing the application process. For more information on host requirements and to apply, go to A21.org/host. Page 40 of 52 ROTARY YOUTH HUMAN TRAFFICKING AWARENESS PROGRAM // 36 Track legislation here. You can use the filters on the left-hand side to help you find the bill you’re looking for, or you can search at the top. Senate There are two Senators per state. Find your Senator here. ›Choose your state. ›It will then show the two Senators for your state with the address to send them mail. ›You can also click the ‘contact’ button for further contact information. House of Representatives Each state is split into districts, and each district has a Representative (the amount varies by state). Find your Representative here. ›You can find them listed by state and district, but if you want to find your Representative using your address, put your zip code in the box in the top right-hand corner. ›From there, it will either pull up your Representative based on your zip code or prompt you to enter your exact address if there are multiple possibilities for your Representative. ›To get more information on how to contact your Representative go to their website. BECOME AN ADVOCATE CONGRESS Page 41 of 52 Additional Details Every state and city will be different, so you will need to research to find out your local information Each state should have a website where you can see what is happening in the legislature. ›Search ‘[state name] legislature’ to find your state legislative information. ›Here, you can find the contact information for your local elected officials, along with bills and other legislative information. This is going to be your best place to find current legislation relating to human trafficking and the best place to contact local elected officials and petition them to create bills to prevent human trafficking. Ways to get legislation in your community Write your local elected officials Email your local elected officials Call your local elected officials Write a petition to send to your local elected officials ›How to: 1. Decide your audience (e.g., local elected officials) 2. Name your group 3. Describe what you want to be done (e.g., required human trafficking education in schools) 4. Give reasons why you think this should be implemented 5. Call to action (e.g., call on your audience by restating what they can do/implement) 6. A place for signatures of supporters ROTARY YOUTH HUMAN TRAFFICKING AWARENESS PROGRAM // 37 Page 42 of 52 SPONSOR A SCHOOL ASSEMBLY Host an assembly on human trafficking where you educate your peers on the issue and have a panel of community advocates who answer student questions and preselected questions on human trafficking and ways we can see it ended. ROTARY YOUTH HUMAN TRAFFICKING AWARENESS PROGRAM // 38 TIPS:16 Brainstorm: Think through different ideas for your assembly and what would be most impactful for other students. Form a planning committee: Decide the roles and responsibilities of each person who is going to be planning the assembly. Keep a checklist: Organize your tasks and what needs to be done to ensure the assembly happens. Keeping a checklist helps you know what has been done and gives a visual representation of the progress made. ›Decide who will attend the assembly: Will it be open to the whole school? Will it be a selected group? Will it be a specific age range (e.g., seniors only, freshman and sophomores only, etc.)? Do all teachers need to attend? Will you invite parents and outside attendees? ›Choose a date: Pick a date for your assembly that does not conflict with other significant school events. ›Choose a host: Decide who will host the assembly (Will it be staff? A student? An outside entity?). ›Decide if you need any audio-visual equipment: Do you want to have a video? A Powerpoint? Any photos? Microphones? ›Choose your assembly space: For example, the school gym or an outdoor area. ›Handouts: Decide if you want to have any printed materials to hand out to attendees (e.g., pamphlets, awareness materials, etc.). Get buy-in: Meet with relevant school officials to get not only approval but also their buy-in. Explain the importance of learning about human trafficking so you can prevent it. Submit your assembly for approval: Ensure you get the assembly approved by the relevant school authorities! Finalize the details: 1-3 weeks before the assembly, set a time to finalize all the details for the event. 14. Erin. Let’s Cultivate Greatness. How to plan an awesome school assembly using these 5 steps. July 2021. https://letscultivategreatness.com/how-to-plan-an-awesome-school-assembly-using-these-5-steps/ Page 43 of 52 ROTARY YOUTH HUMAN TRAFFICKING AWARENESS PROGRAM // 39 ADDITIONAL IDEAS Volunteer with A21 Volunteers must… ›Be over 18 ›Be a US citizen or prove they have the appropriate VISA to volunteer within the US ›Be able to volunteer the whole intake term For more information, a list of locations, and to apply, visit A21.org/volunteer! Local community partnership Connect with anti-human trafficking nonprofits in your area to volunteer, help with service projects, and more! To find local nonprofits, try searching ‘Anti-Human Trafficking Nonprofits near me.’ ›Once you have a list of results, you can begin going through them to find the right fit for you or your group. Page 44 of 52 APPENDIX Page 45 of 52 CLOSING SURVEY ROTARY YOUTH HUMAN TRAFFICKING AWARENESS PROGRAM // 41 Thank you for completing the Rotary Youth Human Trafficking Awareness Program! Please scan the QR code below to complete a short survey based on your experience. We appreciate any and all feedback. Page 46 of 52 RESOURCESROTARY YOUTH HUMAN TRAFFICKING AWARENESS PROGRAM // 42 Resources for Additional Research on Human Trafficking The Trafficking in Persons (TIP) Report is the U.S. Government’s principal diplomatic tool to engage foreign governments on human trafficking. It is also the world’s most comprehensive resource for governmental anti-trafficking efforts. It reflects the U.S. Government’s commitment to global leadership on this key human rights and law enforcement issue. The report is released annually in June or July and can be found at https://www.state.gov/trafficking-in-persons-report. The Global Report on Trafficking in Persons is The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) report that provides the global community with a better understanding of current patterns and trends of human trafficking. The report is released every two years and can be found at https://www.unodc.org/unodc/data-and-analysis/glotip.html. The Global Estimates of Modern Slavery Report is the result of a collaborative effort between the International Labour Organization (ILO) and Walk Free in partnership with the International Organization for Migration (IOM). This report provides a picture of the scale and depth of modern slavery by focusing on two main issues, forced labor and forced marriage, and includes breakdowns by region, age group, and gender. There are currently two iterations of the report (2017 and 2022), and the most recent can be found at https://www.walkfree.org/ reports/global-estimates-of-modern-slavery-2022/. For statistics on the National Human Trafficking Hotline, you can visit https://humantraffickinghotline.org/en/statistics. For general information on human trafficking, visit: ›The United States Department of State at https://www.state.gov/ humantrafficking-about-human-trafficking/ ›The United Nations at https://www.unodc.org/unodc/en/human- trafficking/human-trafficking.html ›The International Labour Organization (ILO) at https://www.ilo. ›org/global/topics/forced-labour/lang--en/index.htm Page 47 of 52 Page 48 of 52 Page 1 of 2 Subject: Youth Questionnaire Report Number: CS CS-24-067 Department: Corporate Services Department Submitted by: Hillary Miller, Records and Legislative Coordinator Meeting Type: Advisory Committee Meeting Meeting Date: Wednesday, June 5, 2024 RECOMMENDATION A. THAT report CS 24-067 Youth Questionnaire be received as information. BACKGROUND At their last meeting on May 1, 2024, the Youth Advisory Council created the following categories to use in the creation of the their youth questionnaire:  Recreation, Sports, and Programs and Clubs  Youth Spaces  Arts and Culture  Shopping  Wellness  Barriers Using these categories as a starting point, the Youth Advisory Council endeavors to come up with questions to fit into these categories to create a youth questionnaire. DISCUSSION One of the Youth Advisory Council’s initiatives is to provide a questionnaire to youth in high schools to determine youth needs in the community. Mark Renaud, Executive Director of the Tillsonburg Business Improvement Area (BIA) drafted a sample Youth Questionnaire, attached as Appendix A, with questions about youth desires in the downtown area. Inspired by this questionnaire, the Youth Advisory Council is desirous of creating a questionnaire to determine youth needs that encompasses more facets of youth life in Tillsonburg. Using the categories and BIA questionnaire as a starting point, members of the Youth Advisory Council can create questions they wish to use on the questionnaire. The goal is to create the questionnaire and have it circulated in the Fall of 2024. Page 49 of 52 CS -24-067 Youth Questionnaire Page 2 of 2 CONSULTATION Mark Renaud, Executive Director of the Tillsonburg Business Improvement Area FINANCIAL IMPACT/FUNDING SOURCE N/A CORPORATE GOALS ☒ Lifestyle and amenities ☐ Customer service, communication and engagement ☐ Business attraction, retention and expansion ☐ Community growth ☐ Connectivity and transportation ☐ Not Applicable Goal – Within the community, Tillsonburg will strive to offer residents the amenities, services and attractions they require to enjoy balanced lifestyles. Strategic Direction – Maintain and enhance programs and facilities to support an active, engaged youth population. Priority Project – N/A ATTACHMENTS Appendix A – Tillsonburg Business Improvement Areas Youth Feedback Form Page 50 of 52 Youth Feedback Form 1.Do you go out of town for entertainment regularly? 1 2 Yes No 1.What improvements would you like to see for the town and downtown? 1.Do you feel that there are enough opportunities for youth involvement in local decision making? Explain. What challenges as a youth do you face in our town/downtown?1.Do you go out of town to eat regularly? 1 2 Yes No 1.Do you see yourself staying in Tillsonburg to work and live? 1 2 Yes No 1.Do you feel the transit and transportation options available in town meet your needs? 1 2 1.Do you have your driver’s license? 1 2 Yes No 1.Date of Birth: 1.Do you go out of town to shop regularly? 1 2 Yes No What are your hobbies? Yes No 1.If yes, why? Page 1 Page 51 of 52 Thank you for taking the time to provide your valuable feedback. Your input is crucial in shaping the future of the Town of Tillsonburg. BE THE CHANGE YOU WANT YOU TO SEE 1.What stores, shops and restaurants would you like to see in Tillsonburg?2. Would you attend college or university locally if there was a campus in Tillsonburg? Why or why not? 1.Open feedback - is there anything else you would like to share with us? 1.What venues or facilities would you like to see in the downtown? What activities are missing in Tillsonburg? Youth Feedback Form Page 2 Page 52 of 52