The dangers of human trafficking discussed at Millbrook talk

MILLBROOK — People often associate human trafficking with sex, drugs and large cities, but Courtney Albert, founder and president of Give Way to Freedom, knows there’s more to it than that. At a Wednesday, April 24, Rotary Club talk, Albert spoke about trafficking,  her organization and how it helps victims through counseling. She told the audience that it’s not always about sex, it’s also about getting free or cheap labor in industries such as fishing, agriculture, hotel/restaurant facilities as well as many other job markets. Human trafficking can involve men, women and children; forced marriages are also a type of human trafficking.

Some victims go willingly, lured by people they trust but shouldn’t, and lies about jobs and living conditions. Once they arrive, they find there are no “good” jobs. Their passports, visas and other documents are taken from them. They end up in a strange land, often not knowing the language, some not even knowing exactly where they are.

Albert works closely with New York State’s Safe Harbor, which sends her referrals. The problem with youth being trafficked has been growing. In 2016, Albert had eight youth referrals; in 2017, there were 29 referrals; and in 2018 there were 42.

Give Way to Freedom began in Vermont in 2009, and still operates from there. It is a private foundation that offers training to others, but also does hands-on work with clients in need. It describes itself as an entity that creates and supports specific, targeted projects aimed at providing care and support to human trafficking survivors. The group educates the public, locally and internationally, about the problems of human trafficking and those who may be vulnerable.

According to the International Labor Organization (ILO), which released its second global estimate of forced labor in 2012, around the globe, 20.9 million victims of modern slavery existed at any given time. In 2005, the first estimate by the ILO had that number at 12.3 million.

Modern methodology has made data gathering more circumspect, but the numbers are growing. New victims are subjected to forced labor and sex trafficking, defined by exploitation and non movement. Roughly 55% of forced labor comprises girls and women; 98% of sex trafficking concerns women and girls. The largest number of victims come from Asia and the Pacific, but those from Africa, South and Central America and Eastern Europe are growing in number.

According to Albert, the recent global crisis has increased human trafficking around the world. Human trafficking is on par with the illegal arms industry as the second largest criminal industry in the word.

As president of the foundation and a licensed mental health counselor, Albert  is in tune with the perils of human trafficking and the crippling effect it has not only on victims, but also their families. While some of the victims have a certain amount of freedom to shop or do errands, very often threats and fear about the safety of loved ones will keep them captive.

Albert first became aware of the dangers of human trafficking while working as a psychotherapist for survivors of torture and trafficking. She has worked with the Helen Bamber Foundation in London. She has also practiced as a mental health counselor for domestic minors suffering from sex trafficking at the Children’s Home in Poughkeepsie, and has provided counseling at the Columbia County Mental Health Department. On the steering committee of the Dutchess County Task Force Against Human Trafficking, she also chairs the Coalition Against Sexual and Domestic Abuse (CASADA).

A mother of three, Albert lives in Millbrook and has a practice in Poughkeepsie.

She urges anyone who suspects human trafficking or wants to learn more about community survivor resources to contact the National Human Trafficking Resource Center at 888-373-7888 or text BEFREE anytime, day or night.

For more information, go to www.givewaytofreedom.org.