1 00:00:05,200 --> 00:00:07,840 Speaker 1: Hey, this is Annie and Samantha and welcome to Steph. 2 00:00:07,880 --> 00:00:18,960 Speaker 1: I never told your protection of iHeart radio any I. 3 00:00:19,200 --> 00:00:21,560 Speaker 1: I still I know. We've been working from home for 4 00:00:21,600 --> 00:00:25,000 Speaker 1: like two years almost, I think, but I still can't 5 00:00:25,040 --> 00:00:29,440 Speaker 1: get it together. As you just witnessed, You're about it 6 00:00:29,480 --> 00:00:31,600 Speaker 1: in the intro, and I'm trying to like get to 7 00:00:31,640 --> 00:00:35,440 Speaker 1: the desk because I realized how far away I am, um, 8 00:00:35,520 --> 00:00:39,680 Speaker 1: and because I'm wearing a comfy everything is extra bulky. 9 00:00:39,760 --> 00:00:42,400 Speaker 1: I have not got three things already in the past 10 00:00:42,760 --> 00:00:45,480 Speaker 1: hour and a half. And for one of those hours, 11 00:00:45,479 --> 00:00:48,200 Speaker 1: I was just sitting at this table, so at my desk. 12 00:00:49,240 --> 00:00:55,000 Speaker 1: Yes again, but I love it. I live in mine. 13 00:00:55,160 --> 00:00:58,320 Speaker 1: I literally it's like my little housing outside. If I 14 00:00:58,400 --> 00:01:01,160 Speaker 1: was a turtle, this would be my shale. Uh And 15 00:01:01,200 --> 00:01:04,760 Speaker 1: I like I am a turtle. But all that to say, 16 00:01:05,200 --> 00:01:08,000 Speaker 1: I thought that was funny. There you go, y'all, behind 17 00:01:08,000 --> 00:01:11,000 Speaker 1: the scenes of how clumsy I am and trying to 18 00:01:11,000 --> 00:01:15,160 Speaker 1: prep for recording even but that's not what we're talking about. No. 19 00:01:15,560 --> 00:01:19,240 Speaker 1: Welcome to another episode of Women Around the World, where 20 00:01:19,240 --> 00:01:22,320 Speaker 1: we talk about the amazing women around the world who 21 00:01:22,360 --> 00:01:25,000 Speaker 1: advocate and fight for the rights and protection of others 22 00:01:25,240 --> 00:01:27,840 Speaker 1: and we want to give them praise and flowers today 23 00:01:27,880 --> 00:01:30,520 Speaker 1: while they're still with us. Uh. And this is kind 24 00:01:30,520 --> 00:01:33,120 Speaker 1: of what we wanted to do with this specific segment, 25 00:01:33,640 --> 00:01:38,640 Speaker 1: just as a reminder. And today we are celebrating blessing 26 00:01:38,920 --> 00:01:42,160 Speaker 1: okay dan uh And I'm so sorry if I said 27 00:01:42,200 --> 00:01:45,240 Speaker 1: that name wrong. Uh. We tried really hard to find 28 00:01:45,280 --> 00:01:48,800 Speaker 1: the pronunciation and I could not find it. So we 29 00:01:48,800 --> 00:01:54,240 Speaker 1: went with what one of the pronunciation site said and 30 00:01:54,320 --> 00:01:56,720 Speaker 1: had a good up vote. So if you all know 31 00:01:57,080 --> 00:02:01,000 Speaker 1: we did this wrong, yeah, give us a note. But 32 00:02:01,400 --> 00:02:04,480 Speaker 1: she is a survivor who continues to promote awareness and 33 00:02:04,560 --> 00:02:09,080 Speaker 1: advocacy for human trafficking victims around the world. January, by 34 00:02:09,080 --> 00:02:12,920 Speaker 1: the way, is actually National Human Trafficking Prevention Month in 35 00:02:12,960 --> 00:02:15,160 Speaker 1: the US, and we did want to talk a bit 36 00:02:15,440 --> 00:02:17,920 Speaker 1: about those who have been affected and are working to 37 00:02:18,440 --> 00:02:22,080 Speaker 1: end it. And before we talk about her experience and 38 00:02:22,160 --> 00:02:24,800 Speaker 1: her incredible work, we do want to take a second 39 00:02:24,800 --> 00:02:28,320 Speaker 1: to remind everyone about the facts of human trafficking and 40 00:02:28,360 --> 00:02:31,400 Speaker 1: make sure we're talking about this issue in a constructive 41 00:02:31,639 --> 00:02:35,200 Speaker 1: and factual manner. Yes, and this is something we have 42 00:02:35,280 --> 00:02:38,080 Speaker 1: talked about a lot on the show. We talked about 43 00:02:38,080 --> 00:02:41,040 Speaker 1: it with bridget Um, but for the our purposes. Now, 44 00:02:41,320 --> 00:02:44,320 Speaker 1: we wanted to just go over some quick miss. Human 45 00:02:44,360 --> 00:02:47,200 Speaker 1: trafficking is an ongoing issue and it is something that 46 00:02:47,200 --> 00:02:50,880 Speaker 1: should be talked about, but when misinformation and conspiracy theories 47 00:02:50,919 --> 00:02:54,520 Speaker 1: are used in this conversation, it harms the victims and 48 00:02:54,560 --> 00:02:59,040 Speaker 1: those trying to work to end these atrocities. So some 49 00:02:59,160 --> 00:03:03,160 Speaker 1: myths to dispel miss. Number one, victims are kidnapped by 50 00:03:03,360 --> 00:03:07,920 Speaker 1: unknown assailants. Um No. Typically victims know their perpetrators, whether 51 00:03:07,960 --> 00:03:11,639 Speaker 1: it's through friendships, romantic relationships, and even family members. With 52 00:03:11,840 --> 00:03:15,919 Speaker 1: number two, all commercial sex is human trafficking, as Polaris 53 00:03:15,960 --> 00:03:19,640 Speaker 1: Projects states, commercial sex involving an adult is human trafficking 54 00:03:19,639 --> 00:03:23,480 Speaker 1: if the person providing commercial sex is doing so against 55 00:03:23,560 --> 00:03:27,480 Speaker 1: their will as a result of force, fraud, our coercion right. 56 00:03:27,520 --> 00:03:30,720 Speaker 1: And also to put to note, any person having sex 57 00:03:30,800 --> 00:03:33,680 Speaker 1: under the age of eighteen, they are miners and that 58 00:03:33,840 --> 00:03:37,320 Speaker 1: is not ever consensual period, So that is always forced. 59 00:03:37,400 --> 00:03:40,880 Speaker 1: If that's a question for anyone. Myth number three, uh, 60 00:03:40,880 --> 00:03:45,000 Speaker 1: and yeah, we just took a few, but anyway, trafficking 61 00:03:45,120 --> 00:03:48,760 Speaker 1: is usually a violent crime. Again from the Polaris Project, 62 00:03:48,800 --> 00:03:52,360 Speaker 1: they state the most pervasive myth about human trafficking is 63 00:03:52,400 --> 00:03:55,720 Speaker 1: that it often involves kidnapping or physically forcing someone into 64 00:03:55,720 --> 00:04:00,480 Speaker 1: a situation. In reality, most traffickers use psychological meat such 65 00:04:00,520 --> 00:04:05,320 Speaker 1: as tricking, defrauding, manipulating, or threatening victims into commercial sex 66 00:04:05,640 --> 00:04:09,720 Speaker 1: or exploitative labor. So yeah, yes, so those are Those 67 00:04:09,760 --> 00:04:12,280 Speaker 1: are three myths. There are many many more and there 68 00:04:12,440 --> 00:04:15,280 Speaker 1: is much more information out there for those who may 69 00:04:15,280 --> 00:04:18,960 Speaker 1: be interested at yes player's project dot org. But also 70 00:04:19,000 --> 00:04:21,760 Speaker 1: as a reminder, many of the victims and survivors are 71 00:04:21,800 --> 00:04:25,640 Speaker 1: more vulnerable and are placed at higher risk um, such 72 00:04:25,640 --> 00:04:29,280 Speaker 1: as those involved in child welfare systems, runaway are homeless 73 00:04:29,279 --> 00:04:33,359 Speaker 1: folks um maybe in a migrant or relocation situation, and 74 00:04:33,440 --> 00:04:38,880 Speaker 1: other at risk populations. All right with that the way? Um? Yes? 75 00:04:39,480 --> 00:04:42,880 Speaker 1: Back to blessing Okaydon a Nigerian graduate with a degree 76 00:04:42,920 --> 00:04:45,280 Speaker 1: in computer science who was ready to start her career 77 00:04:45,560 --> 00:04:49,000 Speaker 1: and was looking for her dream job at the time 78 00:04:49,000 --> 00:04:51,600 Speaker 1: when she met someone who promised her an opportunity in 79 00:04:51,680 --> 00:04:54,440 Speaker 1: Italy within the tech world. Um. And then when she 80 00:04:54,520 --> 00:04:56,400 Speaker 1: arrived in Spain on her way to Italy, she found 81 00:04:56,400 --> 00:04:59,000 Speaker 1: out that she had been manipulated by someone who lied 82 00:04:59,040 --> 00:05:01,360 Speaker 1: to force her to work off a debt she hadn't 83 00:05:01,520 --> 00:05:05,240 Speaker 1: agreed to write. She was soon forced into prostitution and 84 00:05:05,279 --> 00:05:07,560 Speaker 1: though she was afraid and certain of the new country 85 00:05:07,800 --> 00:05:09,400 Speaker 1: and there are so many things that she was not 86 00:05:09,480 --> 00:05:12,479 Speaker 1: sure what was happening. A few days later she went 87 00:05:12,520 --> 00:05:14,279 Speaker 1: to the police for help, so she had the courage 88 00:05:14,320 --> 00:05:17,719 Speaker 1: to actually leave UM and report it UM and after 89 00:05:17,800 --> 00:05:20,520 Speaker 1: a waiting while to find someone to translate for her 90 00:05:20,600 --> 00:05:23,400 Speaker 1: because obviously there was a lack of communication skills, neither 91 00:05:23,440 --> 00:05:26,320 Speaker 1: one of those books the language in order to communicate, 92 00:05:26,600 --> 00:05:29,240 Speaker 1: she was able to be relocated to a shelter in 93 00:05:29,839 --> 00:05:32,560 Speaker 1: Caserta called Casa Ruth. This is the shelter she was 94 00:05:32,600 --> 00:05:36,720 Speaker 1: placed at, which specifically helps trafficking victims UM and survivors, 95 00:05:36,720 --> 00:05:39,560 Speaker 1: and it was founded by Sister Rita Guietta uh And 96 00:05:39,600 --> 00:05:42,000 Speaker 1: the shelter has been a resource and home for survivors 97 00:05:42,000 --> 00:05:45,640 Speaker 1: for over twenty years and Blessing has been an advocate 98 00:05:45,640 --> 00:05:48,240 Speaker 1: with a shelter since then. To bring awareness for so 99 00:05:48,279 --> 00:05:51,800 Speaker 1: many unsuspecting people, She's been traveling around the world speaking 100 00:05:51,800 --> 00:05:55,000 Speaker 1: of her experience and advocating for other survivors UM. She 101 00:05:55,040 --> 00:05:58,120 Speaker 1: has also continued working with her home country to educate 102 00:05:58,240 --> 00:06:01,800 Speaker 1: other women and at risk people with the tactics that 103 00:06:01,839 --> 00:06:04,880 Speaker 1: people may be using to manipulate and trick into similar 104 00:06:04,920 --> 00:06:08,120 Speaker 1: situations like what she went through. Yeah. Um, And she 105 00:06:08,200 --> 00:06:12,599 Speaker 1: helps survivors seeking to go back home. She has accompanied 106 00:06:12,760 --> 00:06:16,840 Speaker 1: survivors on their trip to return home through the Italian 107 00:06:16,920 --> 00:06:21,120 Speaker 1: organization of Slaves No More, which helps survivors reintegrate into society. 108 00:06:21,640 --> 00:06:23,960 Speaker 1: She spoke about her experience working with former victims with 109 00:06:24,000 --> 00:06:27,800 Speaker 1: these organizations, quote, we start building confidence, then many of 110 00:06:27,839 --> 00:06:31,240 Speaker 1: them start to open up, tell us everything, their fears, everything. 111 00:06:31,560 --> 00:06:34,440 Speaker 1: Then we start counseling. There are some who when we 112 00:06:34,480 --> 00:06:37,279 Speaker 1: approached them immediately tell us I want to quit this job. 113 00:06:37,320 --> 00:06:39,200 Speaker 1: I was not told about this. I just need somebody 114 00:06:39,240 --> 00:06:42,680 Speaker 1: to help me. Then we rescue them immediately, right. And 115 00:06:42,720 --> 00:06:45,120 Speaker 1: just a reminder of many of the things. One of 116 00:06:45,200 --> 00:06:48,840 Speaker 1: the conversations that we've had previously about trafficking and what 117 00:06:49,200 --> 00:06:52,520 Speaker 1: it looks like that oftentimes victims don't want to get 118 00:06:52,520 --> 00:06:54,160 Speaker 1: out of it, don't know how to get out of it, 119 00:06:54,400 --> 00:06:57,440 Speaker 1: and truly believe that this is their choice. And this 120 00:06:57,480 --> 00:06:59,520 Speaker 1: is what she specifically talked about, when they say, no, 121 00:06:59,760 --> 00:07:02,680 Speaker 1: this is this was not my choice, this was a 122 00:07:02,720 --> 00:07:05,000 Speaker 1: trick I didn't know. So just to put that out 123 00:07:05,040 --> 00:07:08,400 Speaker 1: there and in eighteen Blessing was awarded the State Department's 124 00:07:08,440 --> 00:07:11,400 Speaker 1: Hero of the Year Award for her quote commitment to 125 00:07:11,400 --> 00:07:14,480 Speaker 1: the fight against human trafficking, and she continues to work 126 00:07:14,760 --> 00:07:18,200 Speaker 1: to end human trafficking, challenging even the Pope um different 127 00:07:18,200 --> 00:07:21,920 Speaker 1: government officials in what they are doing to help combat trafficking. 128 00:07:22,280 --> 00:07:25,360 Speaker 1: She recently appeared with the U. S. Embassy in to 129 00:07:25,440 --> 00:07:27,720 Speaker 1: address how to fight human slavery as one of the 130 00:07:27,720 --> 00:07:31,400 Speaker 1: heroes of the program, and she continues her ever to 131 00:07:31,440 --> 00:07:35,880 Speaker 1: protect potential victims, survivors and current victims. And just in 132 00:07:35,920 --> 00:07:38,200 Speaker 1: case you wanted to know more about her story and 133 00:07:38,320 --> 00:07:40,680 Speaker 1: or just what she has done, she's also released a 134 00:07:40,720 --> 00:07:43,920 Speaker 1: book I think it came out in about her experience, 135 00:07:43,960 --> 00:07:46,840 Speaker 1: titled The Courage of Freedom A Woman Escaped the Hell 136 00:07:46,880 --> 00:07:49,680 Speaker 1: of Trafficking. So I think that's the translated version of 137 00:07:49,680 --> 00:07:51,880 Speaker 1: the title. But if you want to hear more of 138 00:07:51,880 --> 00:07:55,120 Speaker 1: her stories and what she has experienced as a it's 139 00:07:55,160 --> 00:07:59,080 Speaker 1: available for reading. I think I founded on Amazon as well. 140 00:07:59,480 --> 00:08:02,520 Speaker 1: But yeah, her story is incredible and her fight obviously 141 00:08:02,640 --> 00:08:04,840 Speaker 1: is incredible, and we do want to talk about the 142 00:08:04,880 --> 00:08:07,680 Speaker 1: fact that the situation does happen, and happens a lot, 143 00:08:07,800 --> 00:08:10,520 Speaker 1: and it's still prevalent to the days. Is happening in 144 00:08:10,560 --> 00:08:13,880 Speaker 1: the US. It happens everywhere, and it's something that we 145 00:08:13,920 --> 00:08:18,120 Speaker 1: should recognize and work to come back. Yeah, yeah, absolutely, 146 00:08:18,160 --> 00:08:21,640 Speaker 1: I'm glad that there are folks like this doing this 147 00:08:21,680 --> 00:08:26,040 Speaker 1: work and bringing attention to trying to correct these myths 148 00:08:26,080 --> 00:08:30,160 Speaker 1: that have been so pervasive. And yeah, I think we should. 149 00:08:30,680 --> 00:08:32,760 Speaker 1: We really need to find somewhere we can post a 150 00:08:32,840 --> 00:08:36,160 Speaker 1: list of our books. Yeah, we should, from book clubs 151 00:08:36,240 --> 00:08:39,000 Speaker 1: and also the books from people we talk about in 152 00:08:39,120 --> 00:08:41,920 Speaker 1: Women around the world. There's so much. There is so 153 00:08:42,000 --> 00:08:44,560 Speaker 1: much or documentary or that. Yeah, we have to have 154 00:08:44,600 --> 00:08:47,199 Speaker 1: a festival of it something. Oh my gosh, I'd be 155 00:08:47,280 --> 00:08:51,720 Speaker 1: so cool. It's Minty Fest. Okay, that's for another day 156 00:08:51,800 --> 00:08:56,839 Speaker 1: to figure out ideas thinking about it. Yes, if you 157 00:08:56,920 --> 00:08:59,480 Speaker 1: got any ideas about that, who we should feature, what 158 00:08:59,520 --> 00:09:02,000 Speaker 1: we should be teacher. As always, we would love to 159 00:09:02,000 --> 00:09:04,400 Speaker 1: hear from you. You can emails at Stuff Media, mom 160 00:09:04,440 --> 00:09:06,640 Speaker 1: Stuff at iHeart media dot com. You can find us 161 00:09:06,640 --> 00:09:09,000 Speaker 1: on Twitter at mom Stuff Podcast or on Instagram at 162 00:09:09,000 --> 00:09:10,880 Speaker 1: Stuff One Never Told You. Thanks as always to our 163 00:09:10,880 --> 00:09:14,520 Speaker 1: super producer Christina, Thank you, and thanks to you for listening. 164 00:09:14,679 --> 00:09:16,559 Speaker 1: Steffone Ever Told You as production of iHeart Radio. For 165 00:09:16,640 --> 00:09:18,679 Speaker 1: more podcast on My Heart Radio, visit I Heard You 166 00:09:18,720 --> 00:09:21,240 Speaker 1: app Apple podcast, or wherever you listen to your favorite ships.