On the Ground Post #2 – Human Trafficking Brought to Light
April 21, 2010
Mary George imagined she would be doing social work in a hospital environment while in school, but sitting across from her in the crowded offices of the non-profit Mosaic Family Services show that a different story unfolded.
“I interned with a police department in victims’ assistance and discovered a passion for domestic violence victims,” Mary explained.
After referring victims to organizations like Mosaic, she took a job as a case manager working with mostly refugees and immigrants who were victims of domestic violence or human trafficking. Mosaic Family Services is a nonprofit community-based organization that provides services free of charge to refugees and immigrants who are victims of human trafficking and domestic violence in North Texas. The mission of Mosaic Family Services is to support, educate, and empower individuals and families of the communities we serve. After nearly three years with Mosaic, the most difficult part for Mary is watching victims who choose to return to their abusive situations.
“I understand the reasons why women may tend to go back to their homes to some extent, but I worry about their safety,” Mary said. “I worry if before they decide to leave from our shelter or agency that they are fully aware and well informed with ample information and know all their options should they need to get out again.”
On the other end of the spectrum, Mary is encouraged when she sees clients who walked in with submissive postures and fear in their eyes transformed into someone standing proud, speaking with assurance and walking with confidence.
“You can literally notice the difference just looking at them – it’s often that significant of a change,” Mary said.
According to Mosaic Family Services, the organization’s mission is to support, educate and empower individuals and families of the community they serve. The organization was started in 1993 by Dr. Walter Nguyen who saw a need specifically for services for refugee and immigrant victims.
“We aim to educate them, to make them self-sufficient and to help them know what is available to them – whether that is services with the police, legal services, ESL classes, court hearings, a safe house such as our shelter, transitional housing, counseling, food stamps, Medicaid or knowledge about public transportation,” said Mary. “Many of the clients we serve are unaware about the services available to them and are undocumented. They’re afraid or brainwashed into thinking that if they go to the police for help then they will be deported, which is not the case. The police and organizations such as ours are here to help victims.”
Mosaic assists clients from diverse backgrounds who speak one or more of the 29 languages Mosaic serves. They serve human trafficking clients – both male and female – from all over the world, including Mexico, India, Sri Lanka, and Korea.
“They are lured here under false pretenses, lied to, abused and often brainwashed into thinking they are stuck in their situation without hope of freedom,” Mary said. “There are so many victims out there who don’t know who to go to or that help is available. I wish we could get a hold of each one of them and help them.”
In response the constant debate about assisting illegal immigrants in the United States, Mary responds, “Victims are victims and should be helped.”
Author’s note: While most of the stories and pictures of Mary’s direct work with clients have to remain unsaid and unseen for victims’ safety, the key thing I experienced from speaking with her is that these men and women aren’t stories on a blog or faces on posters at a church, they are real, un-famous, walking among us, and most importantly – they are hurting and need help.
Thnaks for the great interview and information about the great work Mosaic Family Services is doing with human trafficking and domestic violence victims. Please join our Facebook Fan Page.
This is simply amazing. keep up the awesome work. I wish there were more people out here like this.