Mayor's Task Force on Human Trafficking - June 25, 2014 - Meeting Minutes
Mayor’s Task Force on Anti-Human Trafficking Meeting Minutes
Wednesday, June 25, 2014 1:30pm- 3:30 pm City Hall, Room 305
1 Dr. Carlton B Goodlett Place, San Francisco, CA 94102
Attendees:
Paniz Bagheri, SAGE; Patrick Buckalew, Huckleberry Youth Programs; Mollie Brown, Huckleberry Youth Programs; Frances Byrne, Freedom House; Irene Casanova, Larkin Street; Tonya Chaffee, CASARC/SFGH;
Tyson Collier, USAO; Annemarie Conroy, USDOJ/USAO; Julius DeGuia, SFDA; Celia Flinn, Department on the Status of Women; Johanna Gendelman, FCS; Pratima Gupta, St. James Infirmary; Carletta Jackson-Lane, Sojourner Truth Foster Family Service Agency; Minouche Kandel, Department on the Status of Women; Valerie Lopez, SF City Attorney’s Office; Donna Mandel, OLSE; Joseph McFadden SFPD; Emily Murase, DOSW; Stephanie Nguyen, Department on the Status of Women; Diana Oliva-Aroche, Mayor’s Office; Elizabeth Pederson, SF City Attorney’s Office; Carolyn Reyes, Family Builders; Hediana Utarti, Asian Women’s Shelter; Ana Villagran, SF Juvenile Probation; Trenia Wearing, SFPD; Christina Wa, SF City Attorney’s Office
The meeting was called to order by Minouche Kandel at 1:35pm.
Attendees introduced themselves and approved the agenda [Casanova/Brown/all]
Minutes from Wednesday, April 23 were approved [Oliva-Aroche/Casanova/all]
Distribution of final data collection tool
Stephanie Nguyen explained the changes made to the final data collection tool including the addition of neighborhoods. The updated collection tool will include more categories for gender including a transgender male to female and a transgender female to male. There was consensus that the tool would be used in the upcoming fiscal year, rather than trying to gather data from the last fiscal year.
The group discussed using suspected as a category for filling out many of the demographics on the data collection tool. Many trafficked victims do not disclose much personal information, so usually they internally track in order to flag suspected trafficked people or domestic violence cases, and continually educate them on resources and ask questions. For purposes of federal data, we could not use “suspected” victims but need to have accurate data. The majority of the group agreed suspected data should be collected separately (8). The rest of the group abstained from voting.
It was determined that “known” victim information would be from self-disclosure or evidence from law enforcement, and the information given would depend on who is reporting.
No identifying information will be included in the data form; organizations would simply lump numbers at the end of six months, not providing any identifying information.
The group discussed the issue of whether the term “sexually trafficked” includes people who formerly had been sexually trafficked or just people who are currently being sexually trafficked. A “history of child sex” column will be added to the data collection tool. Ms. Bagheri stated that if the trafficking happened within San Francisco borders, they will still qualify for services and should therefore be counted. She stated that victims should also designate if they are currently being trafficked but by putting previously it will show how we would act in treatment. She stated that their data is not separated out and she sees no value in separating out the people who are receiving services now because of historical events from those receiving services who are currently being trafficked. The group decided those with a history of sex trafficking should be counted in order to produce accurate numbers for funding of who groups need to service.
There were also approved suggestions to add: sexual orientation to demographic info; mental health services as a category of services; and to add Portola, Tenderloin and Midtown Terrace to the neighborhood options. There was clarification that the “neighborhood” category designates where the person was found for example, SFPD brings youth who was picked up at SOMA, the neighborhood would be SOMA; this is to find out where the trafficking is happening
Because some agencies are confused about what to fill out, Ms. Kandel stated that the groups should aim high and try to fill out as many things as possible. It is ok to leave cells blank. The organizations collecting data should make sure they have a system that tracks the data needed for the collection tool and the data will be collected by the Department every six months. The organizations should start collecting as of July 1, 2014 and the Department will ask for the data in January 2015.
Annemarie Conroy stated that other counties do not collect data like this, so it is good for San Francisco to create best practice. It is good to have numbers for state and federal assistance aligning with the city to be at forefront of how to characterize what is happening, and with this data, organizations can work on prevention and treatment.
There was a suggestion that there be a session on educating agencies that are collecting data about the form, or a flyer that explains what the purpose is. Joseph McFadden suggested a training and a “cheat sheet” of how to collect data would be helpful. Ms. Kandel suggested incorporating why data is being collected and clear instructions on how to fill out each particular column be added to the collection tool.
Emily Murase stated that some of this will be learning by doing. She suggested a check-in during later meetings and maybe technical assistance to be provided agency by agency. She believes that a one size fits all training will not work.
Update on SB 1193 Efforts
Report on Outcome of April 5, 2014 Cross Bay Community Day of Action: A write-up and tally of what businesses had human trafficking posters up when they were surveyed on April was created by the Department. The vast majority of places did not have posters up; out of 138 open businesses, only 14 had it already up, 28 allowed volunteers to put it up, 41 said they would put it up later, and the rest said other. Twenty-one percent were in compliance, 79% were not. Volunteers visited 13 neighborhoods on day of action; there is follow up to be done. The Department of Public Health is putting the poster up during massage inspections and bars.
It was a learning exercise since the Department had invested a lot of money in the mailing, which turned out to not be the way to go, as most businesses never put up the posters that were sent to them.
Ms. Conroy suggested that someone should reach out to the Golden Gate Restaurant Association.
Update on Child Sex Trafficking Committee
The child sex trafficking subcommittee’s recommendation to fund 24 hour emergency response was not successful in getting it into mayor’s budget. SAGE has submitted a proposal with Seneca to get funding from DPH. There will also potentially be state funding down the road as part of Sacramento budget, increasing $5 million next year and $14 million the year after that and part of it will be used for services.
The subcommittee is still coming up with protocol for the city of how to respond to sexually trafficked youth. There is an argument over whether the only way to protect youth is arrest them to keep them safe or if it is important to never treat children as criminals and avoid using juvenile justice system.
Health and Human Services has allocated funds to work with domestic trafficking victims, and specifically for child welfare institutions to work with systems.
Ms. Bagheri stated that SAGE is applying for that grant, and therefore will need to comply with decriminalization of minors in accordance with the state law.
The subcommittee is very far from having a draft of proper protocol but does have a page of common values and a mission. The subcommittee will be having a process conversation at the next meeting.
Dr. Murase asked what sort of existing protocols exist in other counties and states. Ms. Kandel mentioned the Alameda county and Washington state protocols. Ms. Conroy brought up the new San Mateo county protocol and will send the language of it to Ms. Kandel.
It was suggested we look at the NYC protocols.
Planning for Super Bowl 2016
The Bay Area is hosting Super Bowl 2016. This will be an opportunity to educate about trafficking, with many tourists in town. The Bay Area Compact is attempting to combat human trafficking by having cities agree to participate in annual training, identify vulnerable populations, and develop policy. This is one possible action to pass a resolution like this. Dr. Murase stated that this resolution is a good tool, and to change the language to reflect mayor’s task force. In New York, groups brought “The GIFT” project to Times Square. This is a public installation that looks like a giant gift box, and when you walk inside there are horrifying pictures of human trafficking. The point is that many people brought to country under false pretenses. The National Council of Jewish Women along with other groups is attempting to bring the GIFT exhibit here, since the Super Bowl is a great opportunity to educate.
The group decided that it needed to put together training goals and ways to reach out to the hospitality industry, the police, and Golden Gate restaurants, using before the Super Bowl as a goal for the time by which hospitality workers should be well trained. Training should include recognize trafficking and reporting it, especially in local hotels, who should be required to sign a code of conduct. Ms. Mandel stated that she would talk to the Hotel union. There was also a suggestion to reach out to Uber and Lyft, and all taxi companies, as well as key players and well-connected people in bar and restaurant scenes.
Training airports was discussed. Through Jackie Speier’s efforts, all 3 Bay Area airport staff have been trained. State law also requires airports to put up the trafficking poster.
There was discussion of some sort of PSA, and discussion of the “Not on Our Turf” campaign done by New Jersey high school students. MUNI buses were also cited as a very visual way to disseminate information.
The group agreed to create a committee to work on Super Bowl activities, and a sign-up sheet was passed around. Ms. Jackson-Lane will coordinate first meeting. The expected outcome of this subcommittee is a two page action plan on what needs to be organized, and strategies/best practices to give to other partners who may not be at meeting. It was suggested that the subcommittee coordinate with Bay Area Anti-trafficking Coalition and Marti Parker from the FBI. Ms. Oliva-Aroche suggested a social service continuum, what we need to do to prepare, points of contact along with important details with deliberate intention and action pieces outlined so that it is clear. The subcommittee will come up with a focused message in order to produce a real outcome. The group also discussed who else should be invite to be part of this conversation including labor and adult trafficking FBI members, Tipping Point (Daniel Lurie), people from hospitality industry, the Department of Labor, Twitter, Clear channel, and college radio shows of local universities (SF State)
Update on SF Demand Project
The San Francisco Police Department, SAGE, the District Attorney, DOSW and Zellerbach Foundation are collaborating to look at demand for trafficked people, with funding from the Hunt Foundation. After outreach to sex worker rights groups, to make sure programs would not cause harm to sex workers (voluntary or non-voluntary), the group is focusing on demand for minors and from violent predators. Part of this program is the development of middle school curriculum of prevention and a public education campaign coming on board in the fall. There is no funding that comes for implementation, only for staff and coordination. The Hunt foundation is offering small grants to implement immediate innovative projects, such as a Bad Date line, which would provide information of known predators to sex workers. The timeline for the project is 18 months and the curriculum development will be happening in the next 12 months.
There was discussion of linking program with Beacons at middle school level and wellness centers at the high school level. The importance of engaging students at the youngest age was raised, as they are being targeted in elementary school. It was pointed out that it is hard to get tough issues like these into the public school curriculum. In the San Diego unified school systems, after officials noticed a high absentee rate, they added victim-focused trafficking into the curriculum.
Love Never Fails, which provides anti trafficking training in middle schools in Oakland, will be piloting in SFUSD high schools this fall.
Next Steps
The next meeting will be 8/27/14 from 1:30-3:30 pm in City Hall, Room 305. The following items were suggested for the agenda:
- Check in on data collection
- Super Bowl subcommittee update
- Ken Epstein will present on DPH update on RFQ process
- Ask Noelle Simmons (HSA) to give update on the new state CSEC funding
Department Updates & Announcements
Ms. Brown announced a 6 week parenting class now offered in Spanish Parents for adolescent parents at CARC at 44 Gough. This class is free, open for everyone, and will start July 10.
Ms. Casanova reported that she gave input on Federal and State regulations for programs serving homeless youth / runaways, and recommended training on trafficking/how to identify victims for staff of those programs.
Ms. Jackson-Lane reported that Sojourner Truth is working on restorative justice and conflict resolution with high truancy level at risk girls.
Dr. Murase reported that the Department on the Status of Women attended a massage parlor inspection with the building inspector, San Francisco Fire Department, Department on Public Health and San Francisco Police Department. They investigated three facilities. One woman decided to leave after speaking with inspector. Dr. Murase identified that there are no wrap around services and there needs to be a 24-hour response and social services funding. She stated that though the police officers were dedicated and well meaning, the language barrier proved issue and using a cell phone to translate is not effective.
Dr. Murase stated that lately many women have been spotted at Bart and MUNI stations downtown holding babies and young girls and begging. The police are looking for information of who is dropping them off and who is picking them up, to see if they are possibly being forced to do this.
Dr. Murase also announced that SFCAHT is planning a labor trafficking conference on December 3.
Ms. Kandel reported on meetings the Department has hosted on sex worker and trafficking issues. Out of these meetings has emerged an effort to create a climate where sex workers feel safe reporting violence to law enforcement, for example by ensuring that sex workers who report violence will not be prosecuted for their sex work. Another suggestion was that law enforcement could generate trust with massage parlor workers by distributing flyers with information on predators to show the workers that law enforcement cares about their safety.
The meeting was adjourned at 3:17.
