Megan Sanderson
For the New Era
Sold into the sex trade at 14 by her mother, “DJ” had been imprisoned for 22 years.
While bringing drugs concealed in her body from India into America, she was able to make her escape and start a new life for herself.
DJ, who uses those initials because, she says, pimps stole her identity, told her story to the Sweet Home High School student body and staff during an assembly on April 14 to raise awareness about human trafficking. The event was organized by the high school Amnesty International Club.
“It’s everyone, from 4 to 26 on. It’s all kinds of different slavery,” DJ said of the problem of human trafficking. She said pimps will take people and enslave them for sex, transporting drugs, or simple jobs like picking up fruits and veggies or working in a hotel with no benefits or pay.
Amnesty International Club members said they wanted to raise awareness that human trafficking does not just happen in Europe and about the current laws in Oregon dealing with human trafficking. Portland is the biggest city in the United States for human trafficking.
“This is a very important issue that’s often overlooked,” said club member Josie David. “It needs to be recognized.”
DJ has created a non-profit organization called “Angels in the Field” to aid victims of human trafficking by rescuing and restoring them. The organization works with police in investigating cases. DJ shares her story so people realize that human trafficking happens in America. People tend to turn a blind eye to human trafficking and not give attention to it.
“There’s more slavery now in the U.S than ever before,” club member Michelle Carper said.
After the assembly Amnesty International set up tables in the commons area of the high school with display boards and petition forms. The group encouraged people to sign the petition with intention to send the petition to the Oregon legislative to change the current laws, making the law stricter with harsher punishment.
A report card issued by Shared Hope International, an organization that monitors human trafficking, gave Oregon a “D” grade on its current laws, in which paid sex with a minor can result in a $10,000 fine for a first offense, $20,000 a second and $20,000, with 30 days in prison, for further offenses.
“People shouldn’t treat it as a joke,” student Kristen Peterson said, “It’s serious.”