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Human Trafficking Has Potential to Be Big Problem in Guam

Withholding food, passports and any financial means of escape. Beating, kicking and dragging a woman through broken glass, forcing them to have sex with men against their will or face physical punishment.

Those are just a few of the things the U.S. Attorney's Office alleges In Han Cha, Song Ja Cha, the owners of the Blues House Lounge in Upper Tumon, and their two employees, Freda Eseun and Saknin Weria did to the Chuukese women they brought to Guam.
  
According to the U.S. Department of Justice, there's an estimated 600,000 to 800,000 men, women and children being trafficked internationally each year. The USDOJ also said the problem is one that's growing.

While the statistics are high around the world, Guam hasn't had a problem until recently, according to U.S. Attorney Lenny Rapadas. Rapadas said this was the first case of human trafficking since he took his position and can't recall any other cases before that.

Rapadas said it's hard to say if the problem is growing, but there is potential for it. "From zero to one that's pretty significant," Rapadas said. "With the military build up and the possible federalization of the (Commonwealth of the Northern Marianas), Guam is in a position right now where it can become a problem."

Rapadas said he thinks if human trafficking continues to be a problem in the region, it could have a detrimental effect on Guam.

"The effect that it could have on a community, I would think, would be devastating that you have these people having human beings demeaned in this way and for their own profit and their own gain. I would think that it would lower the society," Rapadas said.

While this is the first case of its kind in recent memory on Guam, the CNMI has seen a few. Rapadas said there were two trials connected to human trafficking in the CNMI over the past year and he was traveling to Saipan to get the word out and, hopefully, make the community more aware.

"We should care even if one person is trafficked. It's one human being dominating another human being to do something they don't want to do," he said. "It strips the human dignity of person and demeans them beyond belief."

Rapadas is hoping to curb the problem before it gets out of hand on Guam.

"With the indictment and getting this case out there more people will become aware and maybe spark more investigations," the U.S. Attorney said. "We need the community to be involved the law enforcement can't do everything." Rapadas encouraged anyone with information on possible human trafficking to contact law enforcement.

A training was held recently for law enforcement officers and non-government organzations. The training included topics such as identification of human trafficking victims and interviewing techniques in a culturally appropriate manner. Participants also talked about the formation of a human trafficking task force for Guam.

Regretful
Former Chuuk State Gov. Ansito Walter said he was very regretful the situation occurred not only because of the Chuukese victims, but for the two women indicted. "I regret that it happens. I believe, as a former leader of Chuuk, they should be responsible for what they do," Walter said. "As a leader I would like to apologize to the people (of Guam)."

Walter said he hopes that residents do not view all Chuukese nationals through the actions of a few. "I know this will be making a negative impact on the Chuukese. But they are also businessmen and teaching and working in the community," Walter said.

The former governor hoped residents would also support the victims in this trying time.

"I don't believe that's why they came from the islands. We have dreams for our daughters and sons. We dream they'll come to America for a better life," Walter said. "I hope we can help them so they can get the skills and education to do great things for the island of Guam."

How to cope
Walter hopes the victims will be able to move on, and the Attorney General's Office has the same hope. Assistant Attorney General Basil O'Mallan, of the office's Family Violence and Sex Crimes Unit, works often with victims of sexual assault and sees what they go through.

O'Mallan described what it's like for victims of sex trafficking because they have an extra layer of fear because they are in an unfamiliar place.

"What happens is they get here and they don't have family here and they don't have friends. The only people they know is the person who brought them here under false pretenses, their coworkers and customers. None of those three groups are there to help them so they're trapped," O'Mallan said. "They don't understand the American legal system and they're usually intimidated with law enforcement so they don't trust law enforcement."

O'Mallan said victims of sexual assault often have to repeat their story often, but the AG's Office has victim advocates by their side every step of the way. O'Mallan said it's just one of the services they provide to help victims through a difficult time.

"We provide services for them to make sure they have a place to stay that's safe, they're kept safe, there's food to eat, and we provide whatever other services they need, especially counseling," O'Mallan said.

Adapted from: Stephanie Godlewski, "Human trafficking has potential to be big problem," Pacific Daily News.  22 March 2008.