April 12, 2016 meeting
Posted by Katie Rohman
on Apr 12, 2016
Human trafficking exists everywhere
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Speaker: Anna Brewer, Omaha Women's Fund
Former FBI agent Anna Brewer, who retired last year and serves as a consultant for the Omaha Women's Fund, spoke about her career in undercover investigations. She mostly investigated crimes against children. In 2009, she moved to Omaha with her husband, who was also an FBI agent. She was the only FBI agent in Omaha dedicated solely to human trafficking.
Human trafficking is the second-fastest growing criminal industry in the world, Brewer said. The "risk benefit" is better than drug dealing, she said.
Locally, big events like the Berkshire-Hathaway annual meeting and the College World Series in Omaha net numerous sex trafficking-related arrests.
"If we do not have the demand and we do not have the buyers, we do not have the sellers," Brewer said.
Brewer provided startling data about sex trafficking:
• In 2015, 1 in 5 missing children were likely sex trafficking victims.
• 1 in 3 runaways will be approached within 72 hours by sex traffickers. That time may be shorter in Omaha due to the cold weather.
• 47% of sex trafficking victims are under age 24.
• Backpage.com, a website similar to Craigslist that is commonly used for sex trafficking, estimates 100 people were for sale in the Omaha area on April 12 (20 people were posted for sale on the site on May 3 alone).
• 959 individuals were posted on Backpage.com since November.
Signs of possible sex trafficking, according to Brewer:
• Unusual tattoos (dollar sign, bar code, pimp's name)
• Large amounts of cash
• Several cell phones, but no control over them
• No ID, or someone is holding his or her ID
If you suspect someone is a victim of human trafficking, text "233733" to the National Human Trafficking Resource Center or call its toll-free, 24-hour hotline, 1-888-373-7888. If you or someone is in immediate danger, call 911.