The Paso del Norte Center of Hope, located in El Paso, Texas, is working to combat human trafficking in the border region. The center has seen an average of 45 to 50 human trafficking cases per month this year, with a total of 211 cases reported last year.
Understanding Human Trafficking
Executive Director Nicole Schiff emphasizes the importance of distinguishing between human smuggling and human trafficking. “Human trafficking is a crime against a person; it’s a person who’s been victimized by another person,” she explained. Schiff notes that human smuggling can sometimes lead to trafficking, as vulnerable individuals may be exploited by their smugglers.
The center has assisted victims from various countries, including Cuba and Venezuela, who were promised jobs or other forms of assistance but were instead forced into exploitative situations. The average age of the center’s clients is 14, and the majority of cases involve young people being exploited online.
Support and Services
The Paso del Norte Center of Hope provides support and services to victims of human trafficking, including referrals for legal services. The center has three full-time case managers dedicated to working with young people, and they have seen a significant increase in online exploitation cases since the COVID-19 pandemic began.
Original reporting: El Paso News (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
