NARRATOR: In recognition of National Human Trafficking Prevention Month, OVC presents: Sergio’s Story: A Journey Through (and Beyond) the Legal System.
This graphic novel describes the experience of a young boy who was a victim of labor trafficking and is part of a federal case. Many young people work part-time jobs. This is legal in the United States. But you have rights and there are many laws to help protect you and keep you safe while you work. For example, there are laws that specify the number of hours you can work, the amount of money you should be paid, and your right to stop working whenever you want.
All people that work in the United States, no matter how old they are or if they come from another country, are protected by these laws. And there are special labor laws for young people under the age of 18.
MS. FISHER: Hmm ... That's the second time this week he's fallen asleep in class. I wonder how he's doing?
[school bell rings]
MS. FISHER: Hey Sergio, Do you have a few minutes to talk?
SERGIO: Sure, Miss Fisher.
MS. FISHER: I noticed you haven't been in Class a lot lately, and sometimes you've been falling asleep ... Are you ok?
SERGIO: I'm so sorry, Miss Fisher. I'm just tired. It won't happen again.
MS. FISHER: It's okay, Sergio. You don't have to be sorry, I'm just worried about you.
SERGIO’S THOUGHTS: Gotta stop falling asleep in class or she might call auntie or uncle and I'll really get in trouble.
SERGIO’S FRIEND – GUY: Sergio! Hey, where you been, bro, it's been a minute!
SERGIO: Yeah, I've been busy. What are you guys up to?
SERGIO’S FRIEND – GIRL: We're hanging out now if you wanna come?
SERGIO: Thanks, but I've got practice now ... I've already missed a ton this month.
SERGIO’S FRIEND – GUY: Come after practice then.
SERGIO: Nah I can't, I gotta work tonight.
SERGIO’S FRIEND – GUY: Man, you're always working at that restaurant ...
... You practically live there!
SERGIO: If they only knew ...
COACH: Hey Sergio! it's been a while since I've seen you at practice. I was getting worried! How have you been?
SERGIO: Yeah sorry, coach, I've just been busy with some things. But can I join in today?
COACH: Of course! The guys are just about to start some laps, so you can go join them.
[Sounds of player's running on the court. Coach blows his whistle]
... Sergio, can I see you for a minute?
SERGIO: Yeah, what's up, coach?
COACH: I just wanted to see how you're doing. Is everything ok?
...You've missed a lot of practice and games lately, and you weren't playing like yourself today.
SERGIO: Yeah I'm ok, just tired. I've been busy with work and things lately.
COACH: Are you still working at the restaurant, with your auntie and uncle?
SERGIO: Yeah, it's been crazy busy lately.
COACH: How many days do you work there?
SERGIO: Pretty much every day.
COACH: Ahh, that sounds intense. Do you get any downtime to do your own thing?
SERGIO: Kind of.
COACH: That must be hard, working all the time and trying to balance school and practice?
SERGIO: ... I guess.
COACH: No wonder you're so tired!
SERGIO: Yeah, but I've gotta work, though. My auntie and uncle helped me out and I gotta help my family back home.
COACH: I get that. Can you take a break, though, or maybe work fewer days?
SERGIO: No.
COACH: It just sounds like you're working a lot, maybe too much? and I hope you're getting paid for all this work?
SERGIO: Yeah, kind of. But I gotta go now, coach - my uncle will be mad if I'm late for work.
COACH: Sergio, Hey! Wait up!
SERGIO: Oh, hey coach ...
COACH: I'm glad I caught you. Do you have a few minutes to talk before class starts?
SERGIO: Uhh, ok.
COACH: We missed you again at practice yesterday, and I didn't see you at school the past couple of days ...
... is everything ok?
SERGIO: Yeah, I was just working. Sorry I missed practice again.
COACH: That's ok, I figured you might've been working. Ms. Fisher was asking about you as well. We're just worried. Well, about your work, we didn't get to finish our last conversation. Do you mind if I ask you a few more questions?
SERGIO: ... Ok, I guess.
COACH: You mentioned that you 'kind of' get paid for all the work you do ... what did you mean by that?
SERGIO: Well I do get paid, but the money goes back to my auntie and uncle 'cause I owe them ...
COACH: So you owe your auntie and uncle? For what?
SERGIO: Well they helped me come over here, and they let me stay with them and their family ...
... and eat their food. So I owe them for all of that.
COACH: Ok, but does that mean you can’t stop working, or you won't get any money until you finish paying them what you owe?
SERGIO: Yeah, kind of.
COACH: And how long will that be?
SERGIO: I don't know.
COACH: That doesn't sound right, Sergio. You should be able to keep the money that you earn. You know there are labor laws in this country, right? And what does your family back home think?
SERGIO: I don't know, I haven't spoken to them in a while.
COACH: Does your auntie and uncle ever say that they'll do things to your family back home, if you don't work? Or do they hurt you?
SERGIO: Why are you asking me all these questions, man? I don't wanna talk about it!
Hey coach, can I come in? I'm sorry about before, I didn't mean to yell. I -
COACH: Yes, please come in. And I'm the one who's sorry ...
... I didn't mean to upset you or give you a hard time. I was just trying to understand what's going on.
SERGIO: Yeah, I know. But there's nothing you can do. There's nothing anyone can do.
COACH: I know it might feel that way, Sergio, but believe me, things can get better. Your situation sounds tough. I want to make sure you’re ok and not being taken advantage of. Can we go talk to the school counselor? I’m no expert in these things. But he might be able to link us with some services that can help.
ADVOCATE: So how have you been, Sergio? You look well.
SERGIO: I'm ok. I finally got to talk to my family back home, which was nice.
ADVOCATE: Oh, that's great! I know your caseworker was trying to help you get in contact with them for a while. How are they?
SERGIO: They're ok. They're really sad and angry about what happened to me. They really worry about me, though, especially my mom. She's worried that I'm out here alone, with no money or family. But I told her that my caseworker helped me to apply for some benefits ...
ADVOCATE: Are you okay, Sergio, I know that it was a lot. How are you feeling?
SERGIO: I don't know. Confused.
ADVOCATE: Sure, I can understand that.
SERGIO: I'm still getting my head around what happened in this whole labor trafficking thing. I never heard of it before, and everything is completely different now.
ADVOCATE: It's completely understandable to have all these strong and mixed-up feelings. You've been through a lot, but please remember that none of this is your fault and you are not responsible for what your auntie and uncle did. I'm proud of you, Sergio, for being so strong and resilient. I know things haven't been easy and it's hard to know who to trust and what to do. But please try to remember that no matter what happens with your case, you are not alone. We are all here to support you in whatever ways we can. And you will get through this.
