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The 5 Misconceptions About Human Trafficking

What should I do in the event I become a trafficking victim?

At Anti-Predator Project we are often asked how to avoid becoming a human trafficking victim or what can I do to protect my children from becoming victims?

Obviously preventing yourself or your loved ones from becoming victims in the first place is the best approach to take. However, there are times when bad decisions or mistakes are made and you find yourself in a bad situation. If that happens and you find yourself in a bad situation here’s what you need to do in order to get out of it.

1.Realize you’re in a bad situation – You need to know you’re in a bad place. As we have said in previous articles if something does not feel right then it probably is not. If you do not have control of your personal documents like your ID or birth certificate that is not normal. If you are being forced to stay somewhere or do something you do not want to do that is not normal. If you are being beaten or threatened with bodily harm that is not normal. While this may seem like common sense, when you are actually in the situation many people cannot see that they are in a bad situation and things that are obviously not normal to the rest of us become normal.

2. Ask for help – While this may seem like an obvious next step; when you are caught in a bad situation whether it is a trafficking ring, a drug addiction, or something else asking for help is not always easy. The good news is that human trafficking is getting a lot of attention around the country right now and that has led to almost every community developing resources for human trafficking victims. The resources available to victims come in the form of case management services, assistance from faith based organizations, and assistance from law enforcement agencies. If you are in a bad situation reach out to someone! It may seem scary at first but remember if you don’t ask for help no one will know you need it.

3. Take advantage of services – Once you have taken the steps to get out of your situation take some time for yourself. Being involved in trafficking is a traumatic experience that will leave scars both mentally and physically. Reach out to the services in your community, talk to someone, stay positive, and remember healing takes time.

Natanalie Perez- Help Her Family Get Answers

Natanalie Perez “Naty” is a victim of human trafficking and disappeared on June 2012 in Miami, FL. This is her birthday week and for this occasion we wanted to raise awareness on her story.

Anti-Predator Project, a non-profit investigation agency, has been working relentlessly on Naty’s case and is in need of assistance to bring her family answers.

Unfortunately, Naty’s case is far from being isolated but touches millions of young women worldwide. Every year, over 800,000 victims are trafficked across international borders and from 100,000 to 300,000 children in the U.S.

Miami, where Natanalie went missing, is the second city in human trafficking in the U.S. If you have any information regarding Natanalie please contact Anti-Predator Project 305 609 1918 or info@antipredatorproject.com

Thank you for your love and support to Natanalie, we will keep communicating updates on her case.

To watch the video on Natanalie’s story click here

Natanalie Perez- In which circumstances did she go missing?

Natanalie Perez or “Naty” to her family and friends was raised in Sebring Florida where she was an “all American girl.” She was active in her church and school and wanted nothing more than to get out of her sleepy central Florida town and pursue her dreams of getting into the music industry.

In January of 2012, Naty thought that she was going to have that opportunity. Someone she thought was a friend offered her everything she could ever ask for. Naty was promised an opportunity to meet high powered executives in the music world, and get into the music industry. She quickly packed up and moved to south Florida with her dreams in sight.

Upon arrival in Miami Naty was not greeted by record executives that wanted to hear her sing or take her for drinks at the finest establishments on South Beach. Instead she was taken to a house where she was gang raped, beaten, stripped of all her identification, and sold to the highest bidder. Naty spent the next several months getting beaten, bought, sold, and raped until she went missing on June 1, 2012.

Anti-Predator Project is seeking any information anyone may have regarding the disappearance of Natanalie Perez. Please help Natanalie’s family get some answers. If you have any information that could help please contact the Anti-Predator Project 24 hour line at 305-609-1918 or leave us an email at info@antipredatorproject.org.

A Letter From Natanalie Perez’s Parents to Anti-Predator Project- Natanalie Is Still Missing and APP Investigators Are Working On Her Case To Find Answers

Dear Anti-Predator Project,

“ I wanted to personally and in the behalf of my family say thank you. As of June 1^st it has been 3 years my niece/daughter has been missing. Natanalie Marie Perez our family jewel has been taken from us… Yet, you and your team have brought us hope. The Anti-Predator Project team has gone above and beyond the call of duty to make sure justice is done in Naty’s case. You all have dedicated many hours, energy and for that we will be forever grateful. “

“ It is so encouraging to know that there is someone out there that cares and understands somewhat our pain and devastation. You are always available and always seem to find encouraging and meaningful words that keep our hope alive. “

“ You have promised not to give up on this case and we are witnesses of your hard work and determination to find answers… You and your team have become angels sent from God to fight and stand against this horrific crime called human trafficking.

Anti-Predator Project is seeking any information anyone may have regarding the disappearance of Natanalie Perez. Please help Natanalie’s family get some answers. If you have any information that could help please contact the Anti-Predator Project 24 hour line at 305-609-1918 or leave us an email at info@antipredatorproject.org.

Anti-Predator Project Is Seeking Assistance In Natanalie Perez Case

Anti-Predator Project, a 501(c) 3 non-profit organization, is seeking assistance in the case of Natanalie Perez.

In January of 2012, Natanalie decided to leave her home in the small town of Sebring Florida to pursue a life in the big city of Miami. Unfortunately upon arriving in Miami Natanalie became a victim of human trafficking and was forced to work as a prostitute in several locations around Miami-Dade.

In late May of 2012, Natanalie placed a call to her family and stated that she may be pregnant and would like to come home. Natanalie disappeared on June 1, 2012 and has not been seen or heard from since.

Natanalie’s case remains open and is currently being investigated by Anti-Predator Project. Anti-Predator Project is located in Miami, Florida and offers free investigative services to families in need through the United States.

Anti-Predator Project is seeking any information anyone may have regarding the disappearance of Natanalie Perez. Please help Natanalie’s family get some answers. If you have any information that could help please contact the Anti-Predator Project 24 hour line at 305-609-1918 or leave us an email at info@antipredatorproject.org.

If you would like to make a donation in Natanalie’s name to help solve her case and help those affected by human trafficking please visit our website antipredatorproject.org. For any fundraising opportunities please contact our Philanthropy Officer Dr. Brown at s.brown@antipredatorproject.org and for all media inquiries contact media@antipredatorproject.org.

What are the 5 main traits that traffickers look for when choosing a victim?

APP Private Investigators Answer Questions From The Public Tonight on #PIMONDAY

1- We have all watched TV shows on ID or other channels related to investigations, crime and law enforcement of some kind. What would you say about these shows? Do they relate at all in the way investigators solve a case?

Having watched several different reality shows on Discovery ID, I would say that they do a much better job of portraying how an investigation is run than the network television shows. On the reality shows they often display facts of the case and accurate timelines for the closure of a case. Whereas network television often makes investigations look like they can be closed in an hour with the use of imaginary computer databases that do not exist and access to information that no one including law enforcement would be able to get without a court order.

2- Please elaborate on 4 elements that could potentially differentiate these TV shows from real life investigations.

As stated in the previous question I feel that reality shows do a good job of portraying how things accurately play out during an investigation. They often include taped statements from law enforcement investigators and private investigators  who have worked on these cases and have nothing to gain by giving false statements as their credibility would be destroyed. Also as previously stated, network television shows often give a very inaccurate portrayal of how investigations are worked and how quickly they are closed. For example, the very popular crime drama Criminal Minds often features the elite team of criminal profilers from the FBI contacting their crack technical analyst Penelope Garcia who is able to magically get them information about suspects. This information is often key in closing these investigations but in reality this information is often information that would be completely unobtainable without a court order. This gives the illusion that investigators have access to information that in reality they often do not. These shows often give the illusion that very complex investigations can be closed in a very short amount of time when this is not the case. While network television is very entertaining, it simply does not accurately portray how investigations are worked or closed.

#PIMONDAY: Tweet a question to our investigative staff @AntiPredatorOrg and they will tweet back within a few minutes! All questions regarding investigations, articles and missing persons cases are welcomed.

APP Private Investigators Answer Questions From The Public On Investigations, Weapon Training and Solving a Case On #PIMONDAY

#PIMONDAY is here ! Read the answers from our investigators on questions from the public and tweet your own this evening @AntiPredatorOrg

1- As an investigator, you wear a weapon correct? Why type of training do investigators receive that enables them to carry a weapon on the job? 

That is correct, every investigator at APP carries a weapon while working in the field. Not all private investigators carry weapons while they work but given the types of cases we work and people we deal with while out in the field we feel that it is necessary. All investigators at APP are licensed in their respective states to carry firearms legally and in order to do so they must provide proof of training and or qualifications. While we do not provide in house training for our investigators at APP; our investigators come from backgrounds such as law enforcement and military where they have recieved prior training.

2- Why do APP investigators choose to work for APP instead of law enforcement? What is the difference between working for APP vs law enforcement?

While many of our investigators are prior law enforcement that got out of the field for various reasons such as retirement, starting their own business, or just simply wanting to do something else we also have investigators that have never been law enforcement. In my case, I chose to get involved with APP instead of law enforcment because I believe in our mission here. While I greatly respect the work that police officers do every day in this country I felt my calling was to be here at APP. I believe that no matter what kind of job you have, it needs to be something your passionate about whether it’s sales, civil service, or owning your own business. Remember what you do every day is important as you are trading a day of your life for it.

There are obviously several differences between working for a law enforcement agency vs a private agency like APP. Obviously we do not have law enforcement powers which is a good thing and a bad thing at the same time. It’s a bad thing simply because it often means that we have to jump through extra hoops to get some information because we do not have the powers to obtain search warrants or subpoenas and yes it is very frustraing that we cannot make arrests. On the other side of that not being law enforcement also works to our advantage in some situations. For example, there are poeple on the streets that will talk to us and give us information that they would never give law enforcment. We also have a whole lot less red tape to cut through in emergency situations as we are not bound to pick up the phone and ask for permission to cross jurisdictions. If we are licensed in that area which chances are we probably have at least one license holder we just simply respond. While we are not law enforcement; because we are a licensed agency we still have to gather any and all evidence in a legal and ethical manner just as law enforcement does to ensure it is admissible in court and we still have to testify just as law enforcement would.

3- You mentioned that your best moments are to tell families good news, how often does it happen? How often does a private investigator solve a case?

The best part of working for APP is giving families positive news. Unfortunately, it does not happen often here at APP. Most of the cases we get are very cold so the chances of closing them at all are not good to begin with but when they do close it’s usually not with a positive result such as a live body. It’s hard for me to give you a direct answer on how often it happens at APP as we have only been in existence a short time. In regards to how often a private investigators solves cases there is really no concrete answer for that one either. Private investigators just like law enforcement investigators work cases as hard as they can and follow the evidence wherever it goes. However, unfortunately there are some cases that cannot be closed.

#PIMONDAY: Tweet a question to our investigative staff @AntiPredatorOrg and they will tweet back within a few minutes! All questions regarding investigations, articles and missing persons cases are welcomed.