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“CHILD TRAFFICKING ON ISLAND”

Dear Editor,

 

As a pediatric physician, I have been blessed to work with wonderful families and healthcare providers here in American Samoa. As a mother myself, I very much identify with the parents and families of sick children and consider it a tremendous privilege to be part of their lives and healthcare. American Samoa provides children with an ideal environment to thrive and grow; children are loved and nurtured by both immediate and extended family and are relatively free to “just be kids”. It has been such a joy to let my own children run and play without fearing for their safety.

 

However, while the vast majority of American Samoa’s children are loved and cared for, I am compelled to raise awareness of children living locally who are not so fortunate.

 

I recently encountered a sick child who was hospitalized for a critical illness. Initially, her caregivers falsely reported that my patient, who is not an American Samoan citizen, had only been in the territory for 3 months and was here for a visit. However, further investigation revealed that she had been in the territory for nearly a year.

 

In interviews with this child, it was discovered that while she used to attend school in her home country, she had not been enrolled during her year in American Samoa. Rather, she confided that she spent her days cleaning her caregiver’s house and then sold food items for her caregivers and their church until dark. The child told me that she missed her mother and siblings and would like to go back to school. It became very clear that this child had been trafficked to this territory illegally and exploited to work for her relatives. Sadly, she had also been deprived of an education.

 

According to the Department of Homeland security, millions of men, women, and children are trafficked in countries around the world, including the United States. Human trafficking is a hidden crime, as victims rarely come forward to seek help because of language barriers, fear of the traffickers, and/or fear of law enforcement. Traffickers look for people who are vulnerable for a variety of reasons, including economic hardship. Children are especially vulnerable to trafficking, particularly when they are separated from their immediate family.

 

My patient’s illness brought her situation to the attention of hospital staff, social workers and the Division of Child Protective Services. However, many other trafficked children living in American Samoa remain unnoticed. I have no doubt that many in the child’s church and community were aware of her situation, yet to my knowledge, no adult intervened on her behalf.

 

Psalms 82:3 issues a clear message for believers; “Defend the weak and the fatherless; uphold the cause of the poor and the oppressed.” As a pediatrician, I am obligated to safeguard the welfare of the children in my care. As a citizen of American Samoa, YOU are obligated to do the same.

 

Do you know of a child who is being exploited for labor in your village? Speak up and report your concerns to Child Protective Services (CPS) which can be done anonymously. Send the message that trafficking is NOT tolerated on this beautiful island, so that every little one can obtain an education and have the carefree childhood they deserve.

 

Tangra Broge, MD