Day 24: The Freedom Cyclers

An awesome group of students from the University of Tennessee decided to bike across America raising awareness about Human Trafficking along the way. On June 11, 2014, the group of 4, calling themselves "The Freedom Cyclers" started in Los Angeles, California, and will complete their journey on July 25, 2014 in Savannah, Georgia. Total Mileage = 3, 249.

Wishing them safe travels for the remainder of their trip and a 'Thank You' for the effort to combat human trafficking.  

Day 23: Big BOOM Trafficking

Where there is oil, there is money, and men. Where there are men, money, and little to do within the new found oil community, you will find those getting into trouble and those trying to stay out of trouble. Oh, and there is a high probability that prostitution is occurring, and "where there is prostitution, there is trafficking."  A small town in North Dakota is quickly finding out the pros and cons of black gold. The pros being low rates of unemployment and the cons being human trafficking. 

As I have said before, and will continue to say, human trafficking is everywhere! 

Day 22: A Quote

I found myself researching organizations in the San Francisco Bay Area combating human trafficking, when I stumbled across an organization, National Council of Jewish Women (i will introduce next week). I saw a quote that caught my attention and I would like to share it today.

“Today’s slavery flourishes precisely because slaves are kept invisible, without the ability to make their voices heard. As the voices of the Israelites were heard by a compassionate God insisting on justice and human dignity in the world, so must we hear and take action. -Rabbis for Human Rights”

Be well, friends! 

Day 20: Friday Organization

It's Friday! Time to introduce an Organization working hard to combat Human Trafficking. 

Organization: Freedom Youth Project Foundation 

Freedom Youth Project aims to become a single-source of information, data and training available to any community or government effort to build a treatment center for victims of Domestic Minor Sex-Trafficking. The organization works with students and others to educate the community about human trafficking. 

Happy Friday! 

 

Day 19: Arrests in Renton, WA

On July 9-10, 2014, the Renton Police arrested 11 men for exploitation of a minor during a sting operation. The men arrested ranged from ages 20-45. I write about this arrest because this police department wanted to find if human trafficking was occurring in their city, and indeed, it is. They now know that it is taking place and are planning to take further steps to combat human trafficking. We need more cities to get on board! Contact your local government official and find out what your city is doing to combat human trafficking. 

FYI: Renton is located Southeast of Seattle, Washington. :-)

Day 18: A is for Automatic. B is for Bottom Girl

Everyone knows the alphabet. Sometimes the alphabet can be told through song. Sometimes you look for each letter on license plates. Today, I found myself telling a group of lovely mini-humans "A is for Apple, B is for Bear, C is for Cat," and so forth. I found myself contemplating what the Alphabet would sound like if Sex Trafficking Terminology were used. I came home and made a list and thought I would share it. Some of the terminology you will know and some you will not; I will discuss them in other posts. 

Here were go!

A. Automatic     B. Bottom Girl or Brothel     C. Caught a Case     D. Daddy

E. Escort           F. Floozy                              G. Gorilla Pimp         H. Hooker or Hoe

I. ?                    J. Johns                                K. Kiddie Stroll          L. Lot Lizzard

M. Madame     N. ?                                       O. Out of Pocket       P. Pimp or Prostitute

Q. Quota          R. Rodeo Pimp                     S. Seasoning            T. Turn Out 

U. ?                  V. Vamp                               W. Whore                  X. ?

Y. ?                  Z. ?  

Day 17: It's not all depressing!

Yesterday I talked about how many view human trafficking as a depressing topic. Today, I would like to talk about some of the great things taking place to combat and educate the public about human trafficking. 

Research: More and more people are starting to research human trafficking, the causes of HT, the economics of HT, the solutions, and etc.

Training: Individuals, law enforcement, non-profits, teachers, and more are getting trained in how to identify , prevent, and help human trafficking survivors. 

Recovery and Restoration: Shelters and facilities are identifying trafficking survivors and resources are being given to the individuals. 

These are only some of the great things taking place! 

 

 

Day 16: Yes, Human Trafficking is Depressing

Often, I get asked the question, "what do you do?" My immediate response used to be 1 of 3 standard answers: (1) I'm a Doctoral Student (recently graduated so can't say this anymore), (2) I coach girls basketball (the girls are now in 8th grade and do not require my coaching anymore), and (3) I work at a Tax and Accounting Firm (still do, but contract work).

If I replied to the question with number 2 or 3, the conversation normally went down a rainbow-filled kind of happy path, that led to discussion about sports, children, taxes, or some other non-depressing topic. However, if I replied to an individual using answer number 1, 60% of the time, the conversation went something like this:

"What are you studying?"- Management of Homeland Security with an emphasis in Human Trafficking.

"Wow- Homeland Security. What do you mean human trafficking? Like, the stuff you hear about happening overseas?" - Yes and No. I specifically focus on domestic minor human trafficking. Meaning children under the age of 18. Children from America, being sold in America. 

***At this point, most conversations went 1 of 3 ways: (1) I can't believe that happens here. - Convo over; (2) That's depressing; I don't want to hear about that.- Convo over; or (3) Wait, you mean this is happening in America? What do you mean?- Convo continues. 

After being shut down in conversation, I have since learned to filter what comes out of my mouth and to get to know the individual a little before 'going down the dark and depressing conversational path.'  At the same time, I need to remember that while human trafficking can be depressing . . . it's happening and people need to realize life isn't always filled with dancing unicorns and rainbows. It may be a depressing topic, but someone has to talk about it. 

 

Day 15: #bringbackourgirls

Yesterday evening a friend texted me and asked me what the #bringbackourgirls campaign was about? What happened to the girls? Why the girls were taken and did any of them escape?

All good questions! I only knew the answer to some of the questions, which led to researching the topic further. Below you will find the answers the questions.

1. What is the Bring Back Our Girls Campaign. 

     On 4/15/14, Boko Haram, a Muslim Extremist group, kidnapped a little over 300 girls from a      

     school in Nigeria. The girls ranged from 15 to 18 years of age. The Bring Back Our Girls

     Campaign was started for many reasons, one of which is to put pressure on the Nigerian 

     Government to locate the girls and return them to their families. 

2. What happened to the girls? 

     The girls were kidnapped from their school. There are reports that the girls have been

     moved to other countries and/or are being sold to the soldiers. 

3. Why were the girls taken?

     Boko Haram is anti-Westernization and does not believe in educating females. 

4. Have any of the girls escaped?

     Reportedly 53 girls escaped, but 223 are still missing.