HUMAN TRAFFICKING - JOANNE TREMELLING

Posted by Phil Danz 
 

Joanne Tremeling

Joanne Tremelling has come to us today to talk about shocking happenings called “Human Trafficking”, particularly “sex trafficking” of minor children that has spread around the world and is prevalent in the Sacramento Region. She is a member of the Soroptimist Club of Folsom/ El Dorado Hills and the Stop Trafficking Task Force Coordinator overseeing approximately 60 clubs in the Sierra Nevada Region.
Joanne said the “sex trafficking of children” is not in your backyard- it’s in your front yard.
There are approximately 130 kids being followed by the Sacramento County Probation Department who have been rescued by law enforcement. The average age of the children trafficked is 12-14 for girls and 11-13 for boys. They are kidnapped, drugged and put into prostitution. Incarceration is not the answer.
These children are victims. Many of the children that are trafficked are runaways from Foster Care. Many go unreported as missing.
The perpetrators come on as a romantic or a bully. The romantic promises things to the child, the bully will threaten harm to the child or the child’s family.
The longevity of children trafficked is from 3-7 years. They die from Aids, being HIV positive, sexually transmitted diseases or a general malaise. Neglected children are the most vulnerable.
Joanne talked about a court hearing recently on 14 girls where only 3 parents showed up.
Soroptimist Clubs are supplying clothing, hygiene products, backpacks and gift cards to the children who have been rescued. The Linnus Project has provided afghans and quilts. Notes have been added to the backpacks saying “someone cares”.
In a sweep last summer across several states, the buyers of these kids were found to be 40% college educated and approximately 50% married.
It is useful for the girls in recovery to go to the schools and talk to the students about their experience.
Tell people in your life about this phenomenon. If you see a child that you suspect is being trafficked, call 911 and ask for a welfare check on a minor child.
Because of Sacramento County’s freeway system, Sacramento has become a hub for trafficking.
Placements for these kids are a challenge.
There is a shift taking place for the kids rescued from law enforcement to Health and Human Services.
They need protection, but also therapy services.
Perpetrators are now going to prison.  Some of the grant money coming to the states from the Federal Government may use “Wounded Warriors “to monitor the programs.
 A grateful President Ed Bunting mentioned that “in honor of her presentation”, a book will be donated to the Carmichael Library.
 
 
 
A FEW MORE PICS OF THE MEETING
   
President Ed Bunting, Joanne & Terrance Tremelling, Guests  Ken Saunders, and Jason Reid