Deb Ellinger, founder/executive director of non-profit organization, Elli’s House.
Photo courtesy of Elli’s House
Gov. Gretchen Whitmer proclaimed January 2021 as Human Trafficking Awareness Month in Michigan and the move became an ever-present reminder that a form of modern-day slavery still exists in the state and around the world.
In 2019 in the state alone there were a staggering 22,326 victims and survivors of human trafficking. Organizations across the state are working daily to enhance awareness and increase prevention efforts.
“Human trafficking happens to children, women and men every day in our country and around the world,” as Governor Whitmer stated in the proclamation. “It is often a hidden crime that can take different forms including sex trafficking, forced labor and almost always involves the exploitation of our most vulnerable. I hope this month serves as a reminder and opportunity for each of us to learn about prevention efforts and ways to support survivors and their families. If you see something, speak up and contact the National Human Trafficking Hotline at 888-373-7888. Your call could save a life.”
Human trafficking is a crime under federal and international law – it’s also a crime in most states of U.S. Human trafficking is defined by the Trafficking Protocol as “the recruitment, transport, transfer, harboring or receipt of a person by such means as threat or use of force or other forms of coercion, of abduction, of fraud or deception for the purpose of exploitation.”
Human trafficking includes three main elements:
1) The action of trafficking or recruiting, transporting, transferring, harboring or keeping receipt of individuals.
2) The form of trafficking could include threat of or use of force, deception, coercion, abuse of power or position of vulnerability.
3) The purpose of trafficking is always resulting in exploitation. According to Trafficking Protocol article 3, “exploitation shall include, at a minimum, the exploitation of the prostitution of others or other forms of sexual exploitation, forced labor or services, slavery or practices similar to slavery, servitude or the removal of organs.”
The Michigan Human Trafficking Commission works in collaboration with agencies, organizations and individuals across the state to address issues arising from human trafficking. The work of the commission is to coordinate and integrate a multi-faceted, statewide solution that includes health care providers, social workers, child advocacy groups, law enforcement, faith-based organizations, legislators and the judiciary system.
The Commission is made up of 14 members appointed by the Governor and works to address human trafficking in Michigan by reviewing existing laws and proposing changes, raising public awareness of the issue and providing information and training to officials among other tasks.
Human trafficking survivor Nicole Denson (name was changed to protect her identity) spoke to FOX 2 Detroit about how she became a victim at 16 years of age while at the Northland Mall 21 years ago.
Growing up on Detroit’s west side she faced emotional and mental challenges that left her “numb,” especially after her father passed.
She wound up in a relationship with a man that led her on under false pretenses.
“He was very charming, he was charismatic. He really seemed like he wanted to get to know me,” she said. “It wasn’t like anything that would give a red flag like you’ve seen in the movies. It wasn’t like the movie ‘Taken’ which is like a movie that people think of [when they think of human trafficking]. It actually happened very gradually and very slow.”
Nicole said that one of the “lowest points” of her experience with being human trafficked was when she was driven to his friend’s house and she didn’t know that there would be a camera there.
“At the age of 16 I was sexually assaulted via camera,” Nicole said, adding that eventually he eased his grip over her and she was freed.
Deb Ellinger, founder/executive director of non-profit organization Elli’s House, serves homeless and runaway women involved in human trafficking in the city of Detroit.
Founded in 2017 by native the Detroiter, Ellinger spoke to the Michigan Chronicle about her work with human trafficking in metro Detroit.
“Our program is comprised of two different components: street outreach and residential program. Our street outreach program serves women on the streets on the east side of Detroit with food, hygiene, clothes and, sometimes, transportation to appointments and drug treatment programs,” she said, adding that most victims are females, between the ages of 18-40, from many different types of backgrounds. “Some come from close families and others from foster care. Some grew up in the city and others are from the suburbs. We have been on the streets since 2016 and have … [heard] many stories and sharing lots of tears.”
Ellinger said out of all those stories it all stands out to her a commonality.
“Every woman [that has been human trafficked] feels unworthy of anything other than street life,” she said.
It is fitting then that Ellinger’s email signature contains this Proverbs 31: 9 Bible verse: “Speak up and judge fairly; defend the rights of the poor and needy.”
In her noble work, she has found some challenges that she keeps pushing through.
“Most do not feel they are victims or realize they are being exploited and taken advantage of,” Ellinger said. “Many feel they made a choice and that choice landed them in the situation. This is one of the biggest lies they believe.”
Karen G. Moore, executive director of Sanctum House, a sanctuary for women survivors of Human Trafficking, told the Michigan Chronicle that the long-term residential program for adult women victims of human trafficking has been open almost four years.
“Prior to opening, we built every process, procedure, form … from scratch. We benchmarked the few programs like this that there are in the country and developed what we feel is the best with comprehensive and integrated services,” Moore said.
From providing mental healthcare — including psychiatric, physical healthcare, legal support to substance abuse recovery, life skills training, education and employment opportunities — the Sanctum House is staffed 24/7 to meet the growing needs.
“Our women come from all over the country. Many are local but there are so few programs like this that we get calls from around the country. The woman that joined us a couple weeks ago was flown in from Missouri,” Moore said, adding that the survivors are housed for about two years to fully recover from their trauma and substance abuse. “They all tell their stories when they are ready.”
Anyone that is in a vulnerable chapter of their life is a potential victim, Moore said.
“Recruiters know who to look for and they are patient and smart. Our women come from every race, religion and socio-economic background.
Sanctum House, which has served women from ages 18 to 61, said that their specific program and service providers specialize in support of those that have been sexually exploited.
“Some of our women have come from exclusive neighborhoods in Ann Arbor, attended West Bloomfield High School and [some are] from the lower-income areas. It knows no bounds,” she said. “It is all about greed and supply and demand. If the demand is there, the supply will appear … It is under-reported and under the radar.”
Contact the National Human Trafficking Hotline at 888-373-7888 for more information.