I believe that our strongest ability to deal with problematic facilities/camps involves the human trafficking statutes mentioned previously. The definitions are clear, the law is clear, and the methodology which we can implement in pursuing this avenue is clear. Best of all, this can be implemented within the United States and abroad. Any facility that can be tied to trafficking of persons is now fair game, as are the escorts doing the trafficking.
This avenue is simple to understand, and the level of evidence we need to go this route seems simple. The fact that the burden of proof is lessened due to the fact that we are dealing with victims who were legally minors at the time of the offense only makes this method all the better to pursue. We simply need to connect the process with the goal; the means is irrelevant unless we are dealing with parents pressing the “fraud” button on a facility (which, hopefully, will occur). As previously stated, this may be the equivalent of a “nuclear option” – we push the button and many problematic facilities are wiped off the map.
In addition, the moment charges of such an egregious nature as human trafficking are leveled against any corporation or facility, the public relations of the corporation or facility that is charged will go out the window indefinitely. This alone may result in critical damage being inflicted upon an abusive facility and/or escort service even if the charges are dropped for some unforeseen reason.
Secondly, I believe that we can easily meet the criteria that the Convention on the Rights of a Child (CRC) requires in order to apply immense pressure on all relevant foreign sovereignties that allow for American-run, abusive facilities on their soil.
Although this does not help us with problematic facilities here at home, this is international, binding law for the sane countries of the world (leaving us and Somalia locked up in the same padded-cell together). If it is not enforced and allegations are left uninvestigated, this provides grounds for international and UN condemnation and possible intervention.
Regardless of intervention, violating such a law – a law aimed at protecting children – and being called on the carpet for it will not serve as a nation’s greatest fifteen minutes of fame. Most countries will likely want to address the problem internally without the international community being a part of a humiliating solution.
Third, I believe that crimes against humanity charges filed with the ICC or UN Security Council are an excellent method of closing foreign facilities, bringing those who need to face justice to justice, and making the whole atrocious situation very visible in front of the entire world. This is, in all estimation, the optimal situation and optimal solution for the problem as a whole.
This may be easier to do than one would initially think. We need to, at the least, show that the problem is widespread, is state tolerated/sponsored, involves acts defined in statute as crimes against humanity, and show it is part of an “attack”. Please review the section on the ICC for further details as to what we need.
I believe we should pursue all three options concurrently; additional options may be pursued as well, but the additional evidentiary requirements and manpower needed must be taken into consideration. Each of these three recommended options stands a significant chance of providing us with positive results; pursuing all three will require more work, but it increases our chances of success.
Any and all testimonies that we gather documenting abuse need not be rewritten three times to ensure that they meet the evidentiary requirements of all three options (see following section – in some cases, they will not meet the requirements of all three, and that is acceptable). Accounts can be reviewed by those authorized to review them (in order to maintain the privacy of those providing the account) and copies made and filed under each option that they apply to.
However, before we proceed with any of these actions, we should make sure we have the manpower, the ability to gather the needed sums of individual testimony, and the logistics needed to actually account for and perform all the needed tasks simultaneously. All of these logistical issues must be addressed before we proceed with any action.
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