The Idaho Anti-Trafficking Coalition hosted the Human Trafficking 101 event Monday discussing the basics of human trafficking at the Menard Law Building.
The coalition’s Executive Director Jennifer Zielinski and Program Manager Kevin Zielinski presented on human trafficking — particularly in Idaho — for National Slavery and Human Trafficking Awareness Month.
Two years ago, the coalition began as a grassroots movement, aiming to advocate for the issue on a legislative level. The organization now mainly focuses on sex trafficking.
Trafficking victims often do not self-identify themselves and with Idaho’s lack of formal identification for trafficking victims, it makes the issue more difficult to address.
There are few arrests for trafficking taking place and Jennifer Zielinski said when victims are found they are often charged with prostitution while their buyers go free.
Richard Pathomsiri | Argonaut
“Because of our laws…(victims) are always out in the position of being seen as committing a crime,” Jennifer Zielinski said.
The coalition is aiming to change that with the proposed act to amend Chapter 8, Title 7 of Idaho Code to include a new Section 7-806. This addition would allow victims to change their names without having to publicly publish the change, as is currently required within the state.
The act would also allow victims to avoid contact with those they testify against.
These measures are meant to protect victims of stalking, human trafficking and assaultive crimes who are often still at risk of being found by the perpetrators.
Richard Pathomsiri | Argonaut
Under Idaho’s current prostitution and solicitation laws, the first two charges are misdemeanors, the third charge then being a felony.
Jennifer and Kevin Zielinski both attributed Idaho’s lack of action towards addressing trafficking and criminalization of victims as a part of the state’s culture.
“We have a backwards way of viewing victims,” Jennifer Zielinski said. “It’s about shifting that stigma.”
The coalition recommends the following for students interested in addressing the issue:
- Build knowledge through academic tools
- Connect with local agencies
- Start conversations to raise awareness
- Advocate for laws that support victims
To report potential human trafficking, the coalition urges people to contact the National Human Trafficking Hotline at 1-888-373-7888.
Haadiya Tariq can be reached at [email protected]