Anti-Trafficking Symposium in Los Angeles

C.A.S.T. LA facilitated an Anti-Trafficking Symposium, in conjuction with Thai CDC on 7/23/10 at California Endowment. This survivor was both honored ahd humbled to meet survivors and leaders from CAST, Free the Slaves, KIWA (Koreatown Immigrant Workers Alliance), PWC (Philipino Workers' Center), CHIRLA (Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights of LA), and the Thai CDC. Survivors included women enslaved as long as 17 years. Among those sharing their experience: Rotchana Cheunchujit, liberated in the El Monte raid 15 years ago and Maria Suarez, migrant worker's rights educator who was enslaved during a time when victims were treated as criminals.

Maria spent years wondering "if GOD forgot about me".

Rotchana described living and working environment and psychological conditioning to distrust everyone. She spoke no English then; they were told it is dangerous in America...the blacks will kill you and the Mexicans will rape you. She and her fellow workers were so fearful their liberators had to use an axe to enter the property to free them!

Henry Ong, Executive Director of the Thai CDC wrote the play "FABRIC" performing thru 8/8 at The Company of Angels on Spring Street in LA, depicting the pre-dawn raid on 8-2-95 of the El Monte sweat shops.

Clients served by C.A.S.T.La (Coalition Against Slavery and Trafficking) have largely been of Latino or Asian decent, many from the Philipines and Guatamala, their labor exploited as domestics, agriculture or production workers. While typically our first thoughts may be of women enslaved as commercial sex workers, it is important to recognize with high demand for cheap labor, not only do foreigners fall prey...thousands of American citizens are trafficked domestically and abroad as well. The common underpinning element: First step is psychological conditioning...very similar to that used by an abuser to keep his/her victim silent.

Thank you for taking the time to read, become aware and show you care. You are precious! I love and appreciate each one of you. Be safe, and stay blessed.

Visit www.castla.org for additional information about trafficking. If you suspect human trafficking or seek information on volunteering, call 888-539-2373 (key.2.freedom).