My Interview with Mary Schmidbauer from Second Chance

My interview was conducted via e-mail with Mary Schmidbauer from Second Chance, here in Toledo.  It took a few weeks to obtain the interview, which showed me just how busy, and how much effort and time advocates put into this issue of human trafficking advocacy.  After reading Mary’s responses to the questions, I was deeply moved, inspired, and humbled.  Advocates of human trafficking are real-life heroes dedicated to the rescue and rehabilitation of victims who have been subjected to the worst that life has to offer.  As Mary stated, “I am interested in working for things…not against them.”  Here are the rest of her responses.

1. When, why, and how did you get involved in the fight against human trafficking?

I have worked as a community organizer since 1991, in and throughout Toledo and Northern Ohio.  I did not seek out the fight against human trafficking, I have worked for the empowerment of people all of my adult life.  I have worked with/for/or on behalf of Second Chance since it was founded as a pilot project at the friendly center, by Dr. Celia Williamson, in 1993. 

 

Working beside people in the north Toledo area introduced me to the complexity of issues that face people, and that contribute to the vulnerabilities that create the possibility of victimization through a variety of forms of injustice... be it human trafficking, redlining, predatory lending, .... etc.

What is critical to recognize is that Human Trafficking is a symptom of a host of problems we as a community need to address.  This is a SYSTEMS failure issue.... If our global community were a computer, this would be a control/alt/Delete moment. 

 

Also, just a quirky note---I am interested in working for things... not against them.  If I define my advocacy as working against Human Trafficking (as an example)--- there must be human trafficking for me to advocate against. 

 

Therefore, I work for the empowerment of people, I work for a world that does not tolerate exploitation, in any form, I work for a world that is a wonderful place to live in....

 

2. Discuss what your agency does.

Second Chance was founded by Dr. Williamson as a project that worked with women who were being worked in North Toledo to improve their safety, reduce their risk and evaluate what they wanted, and develop a plan to get what they wanted out of life.

 

Today, the organization has broadened to serve not just women of the Northend, but people, (women and youth) who have been trafficked, recruited, exposed, exploited, etc.  and also to work with youth in Toledo who are struggling with homelessness, street living and runaway/risk behaviors that may make them vulnerable to exploitation or victimization.

 

3. What work have you done and currently do to address human trafficking?

Direct services with victims, survivors, and leaders, coalition building, public awareness/education events, prevention efforts, policy and legislation work to address the issue from a victim centered perspective, fundraising, grant writing, mentoring,

 

4. Where do you see the country or state making improvements in the area of human trafficking?

I think the level of awareness is a major success. it is important that people be educated about just how deeply exploitation and trafficking of others effects our lives.

 

Policy and legislative efforts have improved the opportunities for victims to receive services and treatment.

 

5. Where do you see continued barriers?

As I said initially, this is a SYSTEMS FAILURE ISSUE.  you can’t be an "abolitionist," but not care about child welfare reform, or wealth distribution, welfare reform, social security, national defense, immigration, homeland security... or ... health care.  I don't care what a person's  position on these issues are, I just think we all need to take our seat at the table and dig in ...to meaningful conversation about solving our problems.

 

Our media and culture continues to make room for exploitation, to justify it in ... some cases (college athletics, perhaps?); deny the extent of victimization, especially for young boys and men, (Penn state, Syracuse), and .... categorically stigmatize/blame those who are victimized.

 

6. If you were to give advice on what a beginning advocate could do to appropriately address trafficking, what would you advise?

I don't know that there is an "appropriate" way to address trafficking.

I do know people need to understand this is a symptom of a broader, larger issue. 

DO NOT start your own.... __________(home, coalition, agency, group, shelter, etc.)

RESEARCH what's going on in your community and HELP existing efforts. 

Get involved to change the community, to change the policy, to create the services.

SAVE YOURSELF FIRST. Stop all the ways you participate in your own exploitation and/or contribute to the exploitation of others....

Do Not get involved to "rescue" anyone, "save" anyone.... the simple truth is...  You _CAN'T_, and you'll only be disappointed.