Virginia Legislature Seeks Cause of Action for Trafficking Victims

The following blog post is written by Michael Aiello, whom the Center for Global Justice funded to be an International Justice Mission intern in Thailand.  Michael is also a legal graduate assistant and student staff member at CGJ.  Read his other blog posts here >

Last year Virginia took a big step forward to protect victims of human trafficking by passing a standalone sex trafficking statute, VA Code § 18.2‑357.1. However, that was only the first step. The law only applies to criminal cases. It did not create a civil remedy for victims to sue their perpetrator for damages in civil court.

Sex trafficking victims absolutely need to have the ability to sue their perpetrators for damages because it allows them and their families to be made whole and regain the dignity that was stolen from them. Virginia’s legislature is currently discussing such a law, SB 133 and HB 681.

Federal law serves as a model. Under 18 U.S.C. § 1595, victims of human trafficking have ten years to bring a civil action against their perpetrator.

If you want to get involved, please call your state representative and tell them that you support a civil remedy for victims of human trafficking that has at least a seven-year statute of limitations.

Why I Chose Regent Law and the Center for Global Justice

The following blog post is written by Michael Aiello, whom the Center for Global Justice funded to be an International Justice Mission intern in Thailand.  Michael is also a legal graduate assistant and student staff member at CGJ.

Michael in Thailand during his 2014 Internship

It is rare that an individual can identify a day, a moment, or a single sentence that oriented his life’s trajectory. However, that is exactly what happened to me.

I just completed my bachelor’s degree and wrote two senior theses on human trafficking. I received an internship with International Justice Mission, who is a leader on combating human trafficking around the world. IJM has a robust mentorship program, so I asked one of their VPs for some career advice.

He told me, “If you want to make a real difference in the lives of the oppressed, you need to use the law.”

In other words, he told me that I should go to law school to gain the legal skills necessary to become an advocate for the oppressed. I was already thinking about going to law school. So I went back to my desk and googled, “law school & ‘human trafficking.’” The second hit was for Regent Law’s Center for Global Justice.

I couldn’t believe my eyes. I found exactly what I was looking for: a law school with expertise on using the rule of law to combat human trafficking. Therefore, I decided to find out more about Regent Law and the Center.

I learned that Regent is one of a few law schools that offers a class on human trafficking. In addition, the Center offers two ways to gain tangible skills. First, their student staff works on meaningful projects during the school year by providing free legal support to various organizations such as Alliance Defending Freedom, Advocates International, Shared Hope International, and other quality organizations. Second, the Center provides grants to students so they can complete summer internships with these organizations and gain skills on the front lines.

Since joining the student staff, I have written many legal memos and briefs. For example, I wrote a memo on how Oregon could amend their hearsay laws to make prosecuting human traffickers more efficient; I compiled and annotated all of Thailand's laws on child sexual assault; and I am currently writing a brief on how municipalities can regulate a sexually-oriented business using time, place, manner restrictions under the First Amendment. The Center also provided me with two summer grants that allowed me to intern with IJM in Thailand and intern with a local prosecution office.

It is amazing how one piece of advice can change your entire life. In my case a single sentence led me to Regent Law and the Center for Global Justice. Now I am gaining the legal skills necessary to be an advocate for the oppressed.

Learn more about the Center for Global Justice >

Student Staff Update: Michael Aiello

Michael is a legal graduate assistant and student staff member for the Center for Global Justice, Human Rights, and the Rule of Law. 

A sexually oriented business, e.g. an adult movie theater, porn shop, etc., opens in your town. Yourself and other citizens are concerned about the undesirable secondary effects it will have on your community such as increasing crime rates, reduction in the town’s retail trail, lowering property values, and reducing the quality of neighborhoods and urban life. This leads you to ask, “what can be done?”

Wouldn’t it be nice if there was a manual explaining how a local community can legally regulate a sexually oriented business? You’re in luck, there is! The Community Defense Counsel and Alliance Defending Freedom originally created the manual titled, Protecting Communities from Sexually Oriented Businesses.

Currently, the Center for Global Justice, Human Rights, and the Rule of Law is working with The National Center on SexualExploitation (NCOSE) to update this manual. NCOSE’s mission is to oppose sexual exploitation and defending human dignity. Their areas of focus include combating sex trafficking, abating the harmful effects of pornography, and regulating sexually oriented businesses.

The manual outlines multiple approaches on how to regulate a sexually oriented business. My team specifically is researching time, place, manner restrictions, a sub-category of Free Speech rights. All of which can be used by a local government and people to protect their community.

Center for Global Justice Student Staff Members Attend Coalition to End Sexual Exploitation Summit

On September 10-12, 2015, six of our student staff members had the opportunity to attend the 2nd Annual Coalition To End Sexual Exploitation 2015 Summit.

Two student staff members shared some of their thoughts following the conference:

Pornography 

Pornography. Some people believe it is taboo. Others say it is part of our culture and accept it. And others say it is a public health crisis that has gripped America. The latter position was advocated at the Coalition To End Sexual Exploitation 2015 Summit. Leaders from around the world met in Orlando, Florida, to discuss, learn, and combat the harmful effects of pornography in our society. Did you know that 8% of America’s youth have been exposed to porn by the age of 9, and by 13, 77% of our youth have been exposed? The psychological scars that pornography leaves on our children run just as deep as any physical scars from drug addiction. Pornography's devastating effects have changed our society’s view of intimacy, have destroyed marriages, and have contributed to human trafficking. Do you still think it is taboo, or are you ready to stand up and say no to porn?

Prostitution and Trafficking

A number of  organizations  are pushing for the legalization of prostitution. These organizations  repeatedly ignore that the legalization of prostitution makes it easier for sex traffickers to traffic women and children.  Traffickers bring women to places where prostitution is legal and outsiders think, “well, she chose to get into that line of work.” However, even if the woman was not trafficked, no woman “chooses” to be a prostitute. No little girl dreams of being used for sex and/or abused as an adult. Also, legalizing prostitution allows men to play out their abusive fantasies (many of which are learned by watching pornography) without being punished, and this simply  because the woman was paid.

Other organizations, such as Operation Underground,  rescue women and children in countries where prostitution is legal. Remember, just because prostitution is legal doesn’t mean that it is a victimless crime. Women and children are constantly being trafficked and forced into prostitution, and unfortunately, many of these victims are not seen as victims simply because prostitution is legal. 

Importance of Language 

John. A “John” is what we call a man who buys sex. Calling these men “John(s)” makes them more personable – John becomes someone you might know. John could be your brother, neighbor, or even your pastor. Therefore, when “John” buys sex, his crime becomes more easily forgivable. Instead of thinking about the disgusting crime this man has committed we ask, “what about his family?” 

Many of the speakers at the summit spoke of the importance of language. We were advised to stop using the term “child pornography” and call it what it really is — child-sex-abuse material. People who buy sex should not be referred to as “Johns” but as “buyers”. Let us make a decision to stop softening the blow and call things and people exactly what they are! Word choices reflect changes in cultural values; and our laws are a reflection society’s values. Let’s be intentional about the language we use.

Videos from the summit can be found at http://endsexualexploitation.org

Thanks to student staff members Natasha Delille and Michael Aiello for sharing their thoughts!

Center Intern Update: Michael Aiello

What a fast summer. I can’t believe it is already over. My internship taught me practical things on being a lawyer while at the same time allowing me to serve my community. Monday through Wednesday morning I was always in court.  I even got to go in a few Thursdays and Fridays.

I prosecuted a wide variety of cases ranging from domestic violence to gun charges. Public service is a labor of love, and I know that I was able to help victims of violence, protect our community, and provide children the services they need to become productive members of society.

Twenty Days of Interns: Michael Aiello

This summer, 20 Center for Global Justice, Human Rights, and the Rule of Law interns are spread across four states and ten countries, going not only with the Gospel, but also with legal training and a passion to see the Lord’s justice carried out on a fallen earth.

Michael is interning with a Commonwealth Attorney's Office for a Juvenile and Domestic Relations Team. The office represents the Commonwealth in the prosecution of criminal defendants.

His team specifically focuses on cases involving juveniles, family matters, and domestic violence. Michael attended court regularly and drafted various legal memoranda. 

His internship helped him learn how to become an effective trial attorney, uphold the rule of law, and make a difference in his community.

Whether fighting sex trafficking in India and Indonesia, advocating against partial-birth abortion in Europe, advancing the rule of law in Uganda, or securing religious freedom in Bulgaria and South Africa, our interns are making a difference.

See where all of our interns are working here >

Donate to our Internship Grant Program >

Center Intern Update: Michael Aiello

What a great way to start the summer! I feel so very blessed to be interning in a Commonwealth Attorney's office. Within thirty minutes of my first day I was sitting second chair in court so that I can learn by observing.

Specifically, I'm interning with a Juvenile and Domestic Relations Team. We handle cases in Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court. In other words, we represent Virginia if a juvenile is the victim or criminal offender, or involves family members or domestic violence. I have already seen a wide variety of cases ranging from school food fights, to stolen cats, to malicious woundings.

Since starting I have observed court almost every single day, written three memos exploring various issues, and represented the Commonwealth in a disposition.

One of the most interesting things I've learned so far is that the juvenile system focuses on restorative as well as punitive justice. This means that juveniles are connected with services to help them overcome their difficulties so that they may become contributing members of society.

I am looking forward to what this summer has in store for me.

Read more intern stories >

Center for Global Justice Announces Appointed Summer 2015 Interns

Twenty students are set to intern this summer across the globe to aid legal organizations and other ministries in France, India, Israel, Canada, South Korea, Uganda, Bulgaria, Indonesia, Romania, Austria, South Africa, and throughout the United States. These students will work on urgent human rights issues, including combating sex trafficking, protecting orphans, advancing the rule of law in developing countries, and promoting religious freedom for the marginalized.

"The Center’s Internship Grant Program is our flagship program. Through this program, students’ lives are changed every summer as God confirms their callings to be human rights attorneys through tangibly demonstrating to each student the desperate need for top-notch Christian attorneys to advocate for the oppressed," said Ernie Walton, Administrative Director for the Center. "I am particularly excited for this summer because of the quality of the internship placements. Our students are going to receive excellent legal experience and make a huge impact while doing so." Several interns will serve in their native countries.

Here are the selected law students for summer 2015: 

• Michael Aiello will work at Hampton Commonwealth Attorney’s Office in Virginia on the Juvenile Team, focusing on prosecuting cases involving child victims.
• Andrea Atkinson will work with the National District Attorney’s Association in Virginia in their Center for the Prosecution of Child Abuse.
• Maitte Barrientos will work at Las Americas Immigrant Advocacy Center in Texas on immigration and human trafficking issues.
• Julianna Battenfield with work with Advocates International in South Africa, focusing on promoting religious freedom for marginalized Christians.
• Joshua Charles will work with Jerusalem Institute of Justice, cultivating and defending the rule of law in the Palestinian territories.
• Natasha Delille will work with Regent Law alumnus Evan Henck (’07) at Freedom Firm, an organization in India that rescues sex trafficking victims, prosecutes traffickers, and provides aftercare for those rescued. She will do a second internship with Alliance Defending Freedom’s Vienna office, fighting for religious freedom and the protection of unborn children.
• Marie Dienhart will work with the Alabama Attorney General’s Office in their capital litigation division.
• Ryan Dobbs will work with Jerusalem Institute of Justice, focusing on defending the rights of Christians, combating sex trafficking, and other human rights issues. 
• Pamela Dodge will work with International Justice Mission (IJM) in India on combating human trafficking in Mumbai.
• Palmer & Christy Hurst will work at the European Center for Law and Justice in Strasbourg, France; they will focus on various issues, including promoting religious freedom for Christians.
• Joseph Kohm III will work with Regent Law alum Pat Talbot (’93), who is a faculty member of Universitas Pelita Harapan, a Christian law school in Indonesia that focuses on fighting sex and labor trafficking, protecting believers from persecution, and other Rule of Law issues.
• Chelsea Mack will work with Land and Equity Movement, Uganda, a movement which aims to unite the efforts of everyone with a contribution to offer to make land work for the poor.
• Courtney Marasigan will work with the Directorate of Public Prosecutions, International Crimes Division, in Uganda
• Olufemi Odukoya will work with Regent University’s Center for Entrepreneurship to develop an investment fund in Rwanda that will allow micro-finance loans for the poor.
• So Heon Park will work with Advocates for Public Interest Law (APIL) in Seoul, South Korea, on behalf of refugees and trafficking victims.
• Jessica Rigsbee will work at the European Center for Law and Justice on international religious freedom and other human rights issues in Strasbourg, France.
• Kate Sawyer will work with the Congressional Coalition on Adoption Institute in Washington, D.C., promoting sound policy relating to adoption.
• Kraig Smikel will be interning in Bulgaria with Advocates International, an international network of Christian attorneys who work on protecting life, promoting religious freedom for the persecuted church, and advancing the rule of law.
• Daniel Tirle, a native of Romania, will return to his home country to work at the People to People Foundation to assist orphans access basic social services.

We want to offer a special thanks to those who have given to the Internship Grant Program. Through your sacrificial giving, these students receive great legal experience and provide valuable support to these organizations, all without having to take on additional debt.  Several interns are still in need of funding.  If you would like to give to help cover the costs of these life-changing internships, please click here.

View the Intern Prayer Sheet:

Center for Global Justice Intern - Michael Aiello

Michael Aiello, 2L 

International Justice Mission, Thailand

Another couple of weeks have come and gone. I have done some pretty crazy things (riding an ostrich for one), and I can't believe my time here is already halfway over.

A couple weekends ago the other interns and I went to a full day cooking class! It is really popular among foreigners and I can see why. The organization, Asia Scenic, picked us up and brought us to their city location where we chose our menu. I chose to cook pad thai, spring rolls, khao soi, tom yam, and mango sticky rice (I posted the recipe on the previous blog). They then brought us to a traditional market in Mae Rim to purchase some of the ingredients. I never knew there were so many different kinds of rice! Afterwards we drove to their organic farm. Situated in the front part of their property was the outdoor cooking pavilion. There were a couple of large dining tables, food prepping tables, and two cooking stations with seven stoves each. Everything was well organized and very clean. At the end of the day we all received a cook book in addition to some pretty good food. If anyone wants a recipe let me know!

Church life! Although less than 1% of Thailand's population is Christian (the vast majority, 95ish%, is Buddhist), Northern Thailand has a vibrant church life. I've only been to two different churches, but the first one, the local Acts Church, left such a good impression on me that I'm calling it my church home for the summer. The congregation is predominately Thai, but there are enough ex-pats to warrant a simultaneous English broadcast. It is actually pretty cool. During the service, a guy sits in the back of the church and translates the sermon which is then broadcasted via a small radio transmitter. They hand out radios and headphones for people to tune in. Worship is sung in Thai and the lyrics are projected in both Thai and English. The service is two hours. The first 45 minutes is a western-style worship. Next comes announcements & testimonies. Then all the children go up front for a blessing before being dismissed for Sunday school. The pastor then leads us in Bible reading and delivers his sermon. So far he has been spot on. I really feel the spirit moving there. People sing with their arms raised and some of the children even dance in the aisles!

 

One of my side missions this summer is to discover the best coffee in town. My rules are simple. Drink it black and form an opinion. The best tasting coffee does not need to be masked behind sugar, cream, or artificial flavors. Its attributes must stand out on their own and be a pleasure to drink. So far I have been amazed by the coffee here.

Coffee is probably not the first thing that comes to mind when you think about Thailand, but it is the life blood of the north. I am not exaggerating when I say there is a cafe on almost every block. They are almost always privately owned and have a unique flare. One of my favorite coffee atmospheres is a cafe called Into the Woods. Any musical fan will absolutely love it. The entire place is based off the Stephen Sondheim's production that mashed together all the classic western fairy tales.

If you are looking for the best tasting coffee, may I recommend either Hillkoff or Akah Ama. Both are produced by hill tribes and are completely organic. If you find yourself at Hillkoff, I recommend the Homlamai and Black Thai. Homlamai is a bold and complex yet surprisingly smooth peaberry. Black Thai is an expert balance of sweet, acidic, and bitter tastes with an initial subtle sour kiss. Akah Ama offers a wide variety of roasts and you cannot go wrong with any of them. That being said, my favorite thus far is grown by one of my coworkers! His family grows about 1,300 kilos of organic Arabica beans. Nothing complements doing law research quite as nicely as a fresh and great tasting cup of coffee.

Speaking of research I'm about neck deep in it now. I'm currently summarizing the Thai Penal Code on child sexual assault and hill tribe citizenship rights. I also got to attend a NGO meeting hosted by the US. Consulate Office that focused on the Trafficking in Persons Report. Some of you may know that Thailand was just downgraded to tier three—the lowest grade—by the U.S. State Department. That being said, I have to say the NGO community here is very professional and works well together.

Completely changing the topic and foregoing an elegant transitional sentence...I rode an ostrich last weekend. Yep! No joke. Don't believe me, take a look at the picture. Try to photoshop that. There is an ostrich farm in Chiang Rai. They have a variety of animals and attractions, but the main event are the ostriches. For 150 Baht you can hop on an ostrich for about 5 minutes. In order to stay on you have to squeeze with your legs and hold on to its wings. My ostrich, KC, was a wee bit on the crazy side. She liked to run around in a circle and then come to an abrupt halt in front of the on lookers. Either she was trying to get me to fall flat on my 

face or just liked to be photographed. I think it was a little bit of both.

Center for Global Justice Intern - Michael Aiello

Michael Aiello, 2L

International Justice Mission, Thailand

Another week has gone by and more adventures than I can possibly recount.

I just had one of the most meaningful days of my life. Please forgive me for the lack of detail & ambiguity, but I was lucky enough to accompany our team during a rescue operation. It certainly had its surprises, but at the end of the day I’m calling it a success! IJM is truly doing good here and I feel completely blessed to be part of it.

So how does one cap off a successful day of justice? By feeding a baby tiger of course! After the operation, I met up with the other interns (who are absolutely amazing) to go on a night safari. The highlight and main attraction was the tiger show. There were seven tigers. Each had their own tricks ranging from jumping through hoops to dancing gangnam style.

Things are starting to pick up at the office. I have been working on a quarterly report for HQ, case summaries of all our child sexual assault cases, and preparing a report on Thai child sexual assault law. It may not be the best conversation starter, but I’m learning “heaps” as my new Aussie friend would say. If you’re interested, google “Thai penal code” and go to Book II; Title IX; Section 276-287.

I’ve also learned some more about Thai culture. One of the most intriguing things to me is that Thais don’t say bless you after someone sneezes. (Yes I know... random). However, there is a meaning behind each sneeze. One sneeze means someone is gossiping about you. Two sneezes means someone misses you. Three sneezes means someone in the room didn’t shower and that somebody is probably you. (Though I think the staff may have been pulling my leg on the third sneeze’s meaning).

Language time. Thai has been rather difficult to learn. Obviously it is not a Germanic language, so my English and German don’t help. Thai is a tonal language, which means that words pronounce with a different tone have completely different meanings. For example “ma” can mean dog, horse, or come depending on your tone. I’m slowly learning words, but I’ve found many local people here know some English. It makes my life easier, but it definitely is not helping my Thai language skills. In spite of my lack of vocab, I’m elated to report one thing I’ve learned. Lawyer...”law-yer” in Thai means very handsome. Isn’t that appropriate?

On Friday we went to an American restaurant near the old city called Dukes. The ribs and cornbread were great. Not as good as my parents, but it was nice getting some good old Southern cooking. I also found a German restaurant nearby that I am excited to try. It is owned by an old couple. The husband is German and wife is Thai. Should make for a great meal! Kinda on that topic, shout out to USA and Germany advancing at the World Cup!

After dinner I explored the famous night bazar. It was huge, I must have been there for a couple of hours and didn’t see everything. This one was a lot bigger than the old city’s market with more permanent shops. It has everything you could possibly want to procure: paintings, traditional clothing, knockoff purses, nicknacks, etc. I found the vendors to be a little more aggressive in soliciting customers, but they are willing to negotiate price. I was able to bring the price of an oil painting down from 700 to 400 Bahts. I honestly have no idea if that was a good deal but I will humor myself and say it was!

As promised here is the recipe for the mango sticky rice! Khaw Neaw Ma Maung. I am happy to show anyone how to make it.

Ingredients:

•   1 cup sticky rice soaked in lukewarm water for 5-24 hours.

•   1 cup of coconut cream--may need more according to taste (not coconut milk which is ½ coconut cream and ½ water).

•   2 tbsp of palm sugar--may need more according to taste (other sweeteners work fine).

•   2 tbsp of salt (I personally like more).

•   30 Clitoria ternated flowers--for dyeing the sticky rice blue (food dye works as well).

•   1 cup water if you make your own dye.

Steps:

•   Soak sticky rice for 5-24 hours in lukewarm water. (Five being the absolute minimum).

•   Rinse rice 2 or 3 times to clean it.

•   Drain rice and steam for 20 minutes in whatever way is easiest for you. Traditionally its done over a pot in a bamboo basket with a lid on top. The rice should be fully cooked now and should stick together.

•   The next step can be done two different ways (1) fast or (2) slow

(1)  Fast:

•   Place 1 cup of coconut cream in sauce pan. Warm the cream on low to medium heat. Don’t boil it!

•   Once warm add rice. Stir gently.

•   Add 2 tbsp of palm sugar. Taste. It should be overly sweet, because the salt tones down the sweetness.

•   Add 2 pinches of salt. (I personally like both the sweet and salty flavors to be bold).

•   Bring the heat up to medium-high and stir like there is no tomorrow. The rice will quickly absorb the coconut cream and you don’t want to burn it on the bottom of the sauce pan.

•   Once all the coconut cream has been absorbed, remove from heat and put it into your serving bowl. Let it cool off.

 (2) Slow:

•   No heat

•   Place sticky rice in bowl.

•   Mix in 1 cup coconut cream.

•   Mix in 2 tbsp of palm sugar. Needs to be overly sweet.

•   Mix in two pinches of salt

•   Let it stand for 30+ minutes so the sticky rice absorbs all the coconut milk.

•   Optional step--dye

•   Traditionally you can make a blue dye with about 30 Clitoria Ternated flowers (wiki it) and 1 cup of water. Rub/press the flower into the water to make the dye. Then poor as much as you like on to the sticky rice after you add the salt. Mix well.

•   Or you can use food dye.

•   Get your mango and slice up as much as you want.

•   Right before you serve the sticky rice poor some coconut cream over it.

•   Enjoy!

If you enjoy this recipe it is from Asia Scenic. Here is a link to their website: http://www.asiascenic.com. If you are ever in Thailand, this is a must do!

P.s. Answer: the red egg shape thing from last post is a local fruit called Rambutan and is quite delicious!