Human Trafficking Documentary toAir November 2 at NCC: Public Welcome

Pennsylvania Superior Court President Judge Jack Panella, author of Crimes of Sexual Violence, is deeply concerned about the expansion of human-trafficking, both here in Pennsylvania and throughout the country. He told me an instructive film, HOPE – Stories of Survival, will be screened on November 2, 5 pm, at Northampton Community College's Lipkin Theatre. It's a documentary is about survivors of human trafficking who guide us through some of their darkest memories of fear of exploitation and provide HOPE for others through their ability to overcome obstacles with the support and effort of those around them. Following this event will be a discussion panel moderated by Attorney Shea Rhodes. This film is free and open to the public.

Followingthe filmthere will be a panel discussion.

One of the strangest places where human trafficking is exploding is, believeit or not, inside local malls with family restrooms. A young girl will be trafficked to a customer inside the confines of a mall because pimps believe there is less likelihood of outright violence.

If you arrive a little early, you can see a phoito exhibit prepared by survivors of human-tafficking.

Note: Because of the sensitivenature of this topic, no comments willbe allowed.

By 4-3 Vote, Bethlehem City Council Shoots Down Agreement With Feds Aimed at Human Trafficking

On a national level, Republicans hate law enforcement. They want to disband the FBI and complain about the Department of Justice. On a local level, it's Democrats who hate law enforcement, at least in Allentown, If a citizen initiative there succeeds, police will be stopped from responding to many 9-1-1 calls. This animus must be contagious. Last night, Bethlehem City Council voted 4-3 to nix an agreement with the feds that would provide more resources to police in the fight against human trafficking. What bothered Hillary Kwiatek, Kiera Wilhelm, Paige Van Wirt and Rachel Leon was that the agreement is with ICE. Neither Bethlehem Police Chief Kott nor Mayor Willie Reynolds was able to budge them. 

Van Wirt said "the jeopardy of abuse is greater than the certainty of benefit." She added that, in some cities, police will hold undocumented immigrants who come forward with claims of human trafficking and turn them over to ICE. Kiera Wilhem said her concern can be summed up in one word - ICE. 

Kott explained that a detective would be assigned to human trafficking on an as-needed basis. In the event of a child exploitation investigation, he or she would have county-wide jurisdiction. It would also enable federal charges against a trafficker. She added her department would be transparent and get out ahead of any concerns from undocumented immigrants who might hesitate to come forward. She added that Bethlehem police would refuse to engage in enforcement if immigration laws. 

Grace Crampsie Smith, who voted for the proposed arrangement, said that DA Terry Houck assured her the program has nothing to do with immigration enforcement. It has everything to do with protecting women and children who are being exploited by predators. Also voting Yes were Michael Colon and Wandalyn Enix. 

I find it sad that four elected female members would use fear of one dirty word - ICE - to vote against a program recommended by Bethlehem's police chief to protect exploited women and children. 

Under the Trafficking Victims Protection Act, a federal law passed in 2000, victims of human trafficking are entitled to powerful legal protections, including immigration-related benefits, after ICE has become aware of their presence in the United States.