http://www.newsday.com

Report recommends new laws to combat human trafficking

By SUSAN HAIGH
AP Political Writer

January 23, 2006, 3:52 PM EST

HARTFORD, Conn. -- Following isolated reports of human trafficking in Connecticut, a task force is expected this week to recommend legislation making the practice a crime.

The Connecticut Interagency Task Force on Trafficking in Persons intends to increase public awareness and educate law enforcement and domestic violence advocates about how to recognize a trafficked victim, typically an immigrant who has been tricked and ultimately forced into the sex trade or low-skilled, manual labor.

"I really look at this as pro-active legislation," said state Sen. Andrea Stillman, D-Waterford, who began working on the issue three years ago. "We need to have some laws in place. And most important, we need to train and educate our police on both the local and state level as to how to recognize it and what to do about it."

The task force, which Stillman heads, is scheduled to unveil its report at a news conference at the state Legislative Office Building on Wednesday. The legislative session begins Feb. 8.

The report comes after a Connecticut businessman pleaded not guilty in federal court last week to charges of illegally recruiting Portuguese immigrants to work excessively long hours for low wages in his Dunkin' Donuts restaurants and home.

Jose Calhelha, 46, was charged with illegally transporting and harboring illegal aliens. He faces up to 70 years in prison and fines of up to $1.75 million if convicted.

The task force is recommending that Connecticut establish a crime for those who commit human trafficking. The 18-month-old group also wants the General Assembly to extend its mandate and allow the task force to continue meeting on trafficking issues.

The group also wants more funding for agencies that help victims and training for police, Stillman said.

In December, the U.S. Department of Justice awarded the Bridgeport-based nonprofit International Institute of Connecticut a $500,000 grant to help victims of human trafficking. The agency will use the money to provide victims with clothing, shelter, education and other necessities.

Last July, the federal government awarded a $450,000 grant to a task force of local, state and federal law enforcement officials and government agencies and nonprofit organizations to identify and rescue trafficking victims.

Traffickers keep victims enslaved and honor-bound to satisfy debts, isolated from family and under threats of violence and deportation. Traffickers also confiscate passports and visas.

Between 600,000 and 800,000 people were trafficked across international borders last year, and an estimated 14,500 to 17,500 of them came to the United States, according to a report by the U.S. State Department in June.

Many of the immigrants are from Vietnam, Southeast Asia, India, Eastern Europe and Central and South America.