Happy National Human Trafficking Awareness Day!

Ambassador John Cotton Richmond

Prior to the Institute, Ambassador Richmond served, for more than ten years, as a federal prosecutor in the U.S. Department of Justice’s Human Trafficking Prosecution Unit where he was named one of the “Federal Prosecutors of the Year” by the Federal Law Enforcement Foundation. He investigated and prosecuted numerous victim-centered labor and sex trafficking cases throughout the United States.

Ambassador Richmond’s work to combat human trafficking has earned numerous honors, including: the David Allred Award for Exceptional Contributions to Civil Rights, twice earning the Department of Homeland Security’s Outstanding Investigative Accomplishments in a Human Trafficking Award, as well as twice receiving the Department of Justice’s Special Commendation Award.

Key Points

We cannot take the trafficker out of the conversation. When we do this we are treating human trafficking as if it’s a naturally occurring phenomenon we can’t do much about. This leads to some level of blame being placed on the victim.

When we change from passive language to active language when describing human trafficking, we are holding the trafficker responsible and keep them a part of the conversation.

Collect data on prevention efforts can be very difficult because one is trying to prove that by their action something didn’t happen. However, in order to grow and mature as a movement, we need to start putting systems in place to measure our efforts.

As we move forward in this movement, it is important we open spaces for survivors to take leadership roles, and guide us with the experiences that they’ve had.

Labor trafficking can be very difficult to identify when left to law enforcement alone. Ambassador Richmond proposes strategies that would utilize administrative forces to help identify cases and. funnel them to law enforcement.

Covid-19 has caused a lot of chaos and put a lot of people in a vulnerable situation. The question we need to ask ourselves is not where are we going in this situation, but how do we adapt to these changing circumstances?

There is a place for everyone at the table of conversation. It’s alright for all of us to be different and focus on different aspects of this issue because when we come together and collaborate, it allows us to tackle the issue as a whole.

Resources

EHT Episode 240 – Public-Private Partnership Advisory Council

EHT Episode 239 – The Rise of Prevention and the Role of the Faith-Based Community

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Transcript

Dave [00:00:00] You’re listening to the Ending Human Trafficking podcast; this is episode 241 Ambassador-at-large John Cotton Richmond: Looking Forward.

Production Credits [00:00:10] Produced by Innovate Learning, Maximizing Human Potential.

Dave [00:00:30] Welcome to the Ending Human Trafficking podcast. My name is Dave Stachowiak.

Sandie [00:00:35] And my name is Sandie Morgan.

Dave [00:00:37] And this is the show where we empower you to study the issues, be a voice, and make a difference in ending human trafficking. Sandie, today we have with us a returning guest who has been just a tremendous leader in this space throughout his career. I’m so glad to welcome back to the show, John Cotton Richmond. He is the United States ambassador-at-large to Monitor and Combat Trafficking in Persons and leads the Department’s Office to Monitor and Combat Trafficking in Persons. Ambassador Richmond comes to the highest position in the federal government dedicated to combat human trafficking, after a distinguished career in the global battle for freedom. He co-founded the Human Trafficking Institute that exists to decimate modern slavery at its source by empowering police and prosecutors to use victim-centered and trauma-informed methods to hold traffickers accountable and ensure survivors are treated with respect and care. Prior to the institute, Ambassador Richmond served for more than 10 years as a federal prosecutor in the US Department of Justice’s Office for Human Trafficking Prosecution Unit, where he was named one of the “Federal Prosecutors of the Year” by the Federal Law Enforcement Foundation. He investigated and prosecuted numerous victim-centered labor and sex trafficking cases throughout the United States. Mr. Ambassador, welcome back to the show.

Ambassador Richmond [00:01:58] It’s great to be back with you today.

Sandie [00:02:00] I remember when we first met at the human trafficking summit at the Underground Railroad Museum in Cincinnati, Ohio.

Ambassador Richmond [00:02:09] I remember that as well. It was a great conference. It was great to hear so many different perspectives, including yours. And it’s been fun to watch your career prog...