North Dakota Human Trafficking Law Offers "Safe Harbor" to Minors

Along with jobs and commerce, the Bakken oil fields have brought organized drug crime and human trafficking to a state poorly equipped to handle either. New legislation went into effect August 1 that promises to start addressing the problem of human trafficking, particularly individuals or businesses who coerce minors into performing criminal acts, such as prostitution and drug dealing.

This amendment to the Uniform Act on Prevention of and Remedies for Human Trafficking clarifies the laws on trafficking, forced labor and sexual servitude—including patronizing a victim of sexual servitude—and makes these crimes a felony. The legislation defines aggravating circumstances as recruiting or enticing victims from shelters for victims, youth, runaways, or the homeless.

On the other hand, new protections are enacted for victims of human trafficking, including establishing victim confidentiality and limiting how evidence concerning the reputation or past sexual behavior of victims can be used by the prosecution. Minors who are coerced into criminal activity now have immunity from prosecution for delinquency for such crimes as prostitution, possession of drugs or drug paraphernalia, bouncing checks, petty theft and forgery. Any minor engaged in commercial sexual activity is considered a victim in need of child services. Individuals convicted of the above crimes while minors are encouraged to petition the court to vacate the conviction and get their record expunged. Victims of human trafficking can also bring civil action against traffickers and those who engage in commercial sexual activity. Finally, victims of human trafficking are automatically eligible for benefits or services from the state, regardless of immigration status, and even adds directives for helping undocumented victims qualify for a visa.

As part of the package, the legislature appropriated $1.25 million to help human trafficking victims, with a priority of establishing centers for victims to find services. The legislation also established a commission, which will be headed by State Attorney General Wayne Stenehjam.



What does this mean for residents of Indian Country, especially Fort Berthold, home to the Mandan, Hidatsa and Arikara Nations, where police report a fourfold increase in human trafficking, as well as associated crimes like drug dealing? The reservation has no shelters or other services for victims of human trafficking, although human trafficking groups have been working diligently to raise awareness of the issue among tribal members. The US Attorney's Office reported that fully half of the victims in sex trafficking cases prosecuted by the office were American Indian women and girls. The 20-officer strong Fort Berthold police force is struggling to respond to the surge in crime, with help from the FBI but without help from the state, despite the substantial oil impact money paid by the oil and gas development corporations.

None of the $1.25 million appropriated is earmarked specifically for services to tribes, and while the bulk of it is intended to be spent on services and programs in western North Dakota, there is no assurance that the centers will be convenient for Native victims of trafficking. Not all the 19 members newly appointed to the commission have been announced but so far, no representative from any of North Dakota's tribes has been named.

Teens Getting High On "Weed Candy"

Medical and legal marijuana has led to a growth industry for THC-laden food products, including a range of candy bars, lollipops, gummy candies, chocolates and hard candies that have been finding their way into the hands—and mouths—of school children. Police from Florida to Oregon, through Texas and the Midwest, have been reporting the growing trend. States near Washington and Colorado have also been reporting a sharp increase in drug arrests that also net quantities of marijuana-laced candy. The candy sells on the street for as little as a dollar a piece, but also sells briskly at as much $10 a piece. Some of the candy is made for sale in legal dispensaries, and is packaged to look like common brands of candy.

Other areas are reporting the use of weed candy that is cooked up at home, out of simple ingredients like corn syrup and powdered drink mix. Some kids attempt to make it themselves, but others buy from dealers who make the candy with dangerously concentrated THC, synthetic THC or other unregulated ingredients. The odorless candy can pack a serious punch and seriously impair driving, not to mention ability to learn anything.

In an effort to combat the appeal of marijuana for kids, Georgia has banned the sale of marijuana-flavored candy to minors, but a national measure to ban marketing controlled substances to minors died in the Senate Judiciary Committee.

Parents and police are being advised that even if weed candy hasn't hit your area yet, it's a matter of time. Parents and school officials can watch for unwrapped candy, candy with strange brand names, and the classic signs of marijuana use like slurred words or slowed motor control. Parents can also monitor their kids' Internet history to see if they've been researching DIY recipes.

Minnesota Tribes Battling Flood of Heroin

Read the whole story at Indian Country Today Media Network. The news from the Minnesota tribes is grim, but there are solutions to be found in education and community coalitions that battle this problem, starting with preventing and treating prescription painkiller addiction.  Besides destroying the user's life and health, heroin use results in increased crime, HIV and hepatitis infections, and children living in filthy and dangerous environments. Tribes are working with county, state and federal officials to turn this around, but they also need help from all concerned community members, from caregivers to teachers and from health care workers to law enforcement officers and Tribal courts.

The Growing Problem of Cyber Bullying

Thanks to Allison Morris of Online College for developing this graphic on cyber-bullying. As access to technology increases, so do opportunities for abuse. Parents, teachers and other adults need to be aware of this trend and to check in with kids to find out whether they are getting bullied online. Click on the graphic below to view it in a new window.

Source: OnlineCollege.org

Oglala Lakota Business Students Fight Youth Suicide

This Friday, if you're near Kyle, SD, visit the gym at the Piya Wiconi Oglala Lakota College campus from 4 pm - 7 pm. Students in the Introduction to Business class at the college are exhibiting pictures taken by elementary school and middle school students about "what hope looks like." The students distributed over 200 disposable cameras as part of this effort to combat the local epidemic of youth suicide, which is among the highest worldwide.

Ending Bullying in Our Schools

The White House has endorsed the Student Non-Discrimination Act (SNDA) and the Safe Schools Improvement Act (SSIA) as an important step to prevent bullying in schools. The Student Non-Discrimination Act would prohibit discrimination in public schools against any student on the basis of actual or perceived sexual orientation and gender identity.  And the Safe Schools Improvement Act would require school districts to adopt codes of conduct specifically prohibiting bullying and harassment, including on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, and religion. The President, Vice President, Cabinet Secretaries and White House staff have also recorded videos on bullying prevention for the It Gets Better project.

Protecting Children Against Abuse in Indian Country

How do we know when a child is the victim of physical or emotional abuse?
What are the signs and what do we do next?
What are the signs of a child living in an endangered environment?

If you are a parent or service provider with children in Indian County, join Indian Country Training's master instructor, Steven Juneau, for an engaging and informative webinar on how we can protect our children against abuse.

Register now while they still have spaces!