Lt. John Vanek of San Jose Human Trafficking Devision Defines Human Trafficking

"Labor plus cohersion or force, is what defines human trafficking crimes from other crimes, " Lt John Vanek says at the special training held on Mission street in San Francisco, California on Tuesday, July 27, 2010. "We have to charge what we can prove and that's not always easy."

It doesn't matter what kind of human trafficking it is, as long as the exploited person was exploited for their labor. That is what defines Human Trafficking from other crimes associated with pimping and pandering, kidnapping, sexual assault, and child abuse.

About 40 people showed up for this very valuable Human Trafficking training and the information was very useful. Alot of people are very confused on what the term Human Trafficking really means, especially when we are so passionate about certain types of human trafficking, like commercial sex trafficking of children, young women, and men.

Most of us understand in nature that this sort of slavery and abuse is the worst kind of violation to the mind, body, and soul. Prosecutors, federal and state, have difficult and different rules in which they have to abide by when prosecuting this crime, and the time these people get for the crime, doesn't seem to match. This is why they go for the different crimes, because they are easier to prove, and the criminal actually gets more time.

WHY is that? We ask in different ways.

"It's money." Lt. Vanek explains. "Every time a new law is made, there [the state] is a projection of funds that it is going to cost. Every time you vote for a new law. It costs money to implement that new law. It took a lot of effort to get the current human trafficking bill made into law to begin with. As a movement, we are on the right path."

So everything is not perfect he emphasises, but explains how training the police culture is top priority.

Jennifer Dozler and John Vanek work together to bring these cases together in the human trafficking unit in San Jose, California. The two of them were also the first to head a first of its kind in a Californian county, Santa Clara, An ending human trafficking awareness campaign was launced as well, with an 800 number on bus ads that ran through, 2007-2008.

It is called: Stop Human Trafficking

The 800 number has since been dismantled in favor of the federal 1-888-3737-888 number but, still it was a landmark move. John and Jennifer teach human trafficking awareness outside of their full time duties, on their off time from their downtown detectives work.

Now that sounds like commitement!

"Just because a case isn't charged with 'human trafficking,' doesn't mean that they weren't charged with something similar and that person will not get more time." Jennifer patiently explains to us. She also explains that human trafficking victims are eligible for services even if their case doesn't carry a human trafficking label which for those of us that believe in a victim first approach, breathed a collective sigh of relief. They also believe and train other counties, on the victim first approach, and were the first to come up with a police, "protocal," in California.

So now all the hooplah about the human trafficking bill and it's intricities is a little bit easier to understand. "The nuances of a five year old bill has barely taken root, but the movement is growing by leaps and bounds" Lt. Vanek tells us enthusiastically." "And in five years from now, we will have made even further ground."

We as a society must stand up against injustice. Even though we have people in law enforcement and in our justice system who are breaking the law and victimizing the very people they are supposed to help, Lt John Vanek assures me that in Santa Clara county, if the officer wears a badge, there is 350% chance he will be caught and convicted. "The reason why these men got into law enforcement to begin with is to help people." He finished after my drop bomb question was asked.

I'm not sure if that makes me feel better or not considering where I come from and what I have seen and heard but, knowing that there are kids being pimped out downtown San Jose on 3rd, 4th and 5th streets, and on social networking sites like Craigslist and My Redbook, I atleast can do my own creative sluething in order to help them as much as I can.

Now I can finally say, I have met the famous Lt. John Vanek, the director of the human trafficking department in San Jose, and can tell you he seems to be a very nice man.

I liked him and his wife's name is Dawn, [smile] just like me. What can I say? I like that.

After all, my books are about fighting child sex trafficking in San Jose, California and Lt. Vanek's job is highlighted in the First Free At Last book, by Jake's dad, but I am not too sure how closely they resemble one another.

I guess we will see as time goes on.

For now I am happy with my explaination e-mail from Lt. John Vanek that he sent me after I commented passionatly on his blog and after two years of trying to meet him, he turns out to seem to be, one of the good guyes.

I can only pray that is so...

Until next time...

Dawn E. Worswick

www.dawneworswick.com