| The Salvation Army Stands Strong in Fight Against Human Trafficking |
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 It's hard to believe that in 21st Century America – in our own backyard – a wealthy Orange County family could "rent" a 13-year-old Egyptian girl and force her into domestic servitude. It's even harder to believe that the girl's parents sold their daughter for a mere $30. Yes, slavery is alive and flourishing in the United States and around the world.
Human trafficking is currently tied with arms dealing as the second largest criminal industry in the world after drug dealing. It is also, unfortunately, the fast growing criminal enterprise with an estimated 14,500 to 50,000 people bought and sold into the United States each year. Eighty percent of the cases in California occur in Los Angeles, San Diego or San Francisco, according to a 2005 report from the human rights center at UC Berkley. On Jan. 17, a group of approximately 300 people gathered in Hollywood to hear the girl’s story, learn about modern-day slavery and view the premier of Cargo: Innocence Lost. The documentary by award-winning director Michael Cory Davis reenacts the brutal violence and tactics forced onto victims as it showcases intense narratives from the nation’s top officials and abolitionists fighting back against human traffickers – including two from The Salvation Army. Dr. Michael Smith, Social Services Consultant for the Southern California Division, and Rohida Khan, based at Western Territorial Headquarters (THQ), were interviewed by the director last year and are featured in the film. In her role as the NETS (Network for Emergency Trafficking Services) director for The Salvation Army, Khan is working to increase the identification of trafficking victims, training service providers and law enforcement officials how to respond to cases, and helping to meet the needs of victims in the area.
Some who attended the film premier and panel discussion said they were surprised that their “favorite charity” is actively involved in the fight against human trafficking. “Since its inception, The Salvation Army has worked in communities around the world to address problems associated with exploited persons,” Smith explained. “The Salvation Army is known for its leadership position within the United States.” The Salvation Army is actively involved on two fronts: shaping public policy in Washington, D.C., as well as providing basic services and advocacy for victims. One of the most immediate needs of rescued trafficking victims is for safe housing. For this, federal law enforcement officials utilize local shelter resources. Given The Salvation Army’s vast network of shelters throughout the country, providing safe, short-term shelter services to victims is a critical role. The Salvation Army also provides food, transportation, language interpretation and case management services to trafficking victims. On Dec. 8, 2006, the U. S. Department of Justice recognized that leadership and awarded a $1 million grant to The Salvation Army and its partners for a new initiative to reduce and eliminate the commercial sexual exploitation of children (CSEC) in the United States. THQ’s Adam Freer is coordinating the program for The Salvation Army.
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Smith provides clinical and management consultative services to the non-LA metro Salvation Army Corps in the Southern California Division. He is working to increase public awareness of human trafficking, training staff on how to serve trafficking victims, and managing the delivery of services to rescued trafficking victims.