Latest news with #HumanTraffickingAwarenessMonth
Yahoo
31-01-2025
- Yahoo
Texas lawmakers urged to ramp up laws to fight human trafficking
The Brief January is Human Trafficking Awareness Month Advocates for victims gathered at the state capitol They are asking lawmakers to pass major reforms AUSTIN, Texas - January is Human Trafficking Awareness Month. Advocates for victims gathered Thursday at the state capitol. They are urging lawmakers to pass major reforms. The backstory The State of Texas launched a comprehensive drive to eliminate human trafficking 20 years ago. Since then, many bills have been passed to crack down on the problem. But lawmakers were told this fight is far from over during a rally held on the south steps of the Texas Capitol Thursday. In 2023, more than 2,300 people from Texas contacted the National Human Trafficking Hotline. What they're saying In a prepared statement, Bob Sanborn, president and CEO of Children at Risk, noted the work accomplished in previous Legislative Sessions. "Our state has made great strides in strengthening zero tolerance for human trafficking, but there is still work to do," stated Sanborn in a news release. The rally at the Texas Capitol involved members of organizations and agencies that advocate for victims of human trafficking. Cosponsors of the event included: Allies Against Slavery Crime Stoppers Demand Disruption Dallas CASA Fort Bend County District Attorney's Office Gracious Hearts Houston 20 Lone Star Justice Alliance No Trafficking Zone North Texas Coalition Against Trafficking Project Protect Our Children Reflection Ministries Texas Family Leadership Council Texas Society of Medical Assistants Street Grace Traffick 911 Unbound Now The coalition is pushing several legislative priorities for the regular session. Key issues include: Screening and prevention for vulnerable youth Improving protections and support for survivors Training frontline workers to recognize human trafficking Reducing illicit massage businesses Improving laws that protect children and hold traffickers accountable The group also wants legislation to get local prosecutors to do more to shut down sex-exploitation businesses. "When we think about ending trafficking, there's so much that needs to be talked about. And one of the big things is collaboration and collaboration with the legislative branch here in Austin and with all the great groups across the state of Texas that are focusing on ending trafficking now. Those that are really focused on making sure that every single victim, survivor of human trafficking is taken care of, that we are beginning to work at ending demand in our state," said Sanborn during the rally. The number of businesses involved in illicit digital massaginghas more than doubled in Texas in the past six years, according to information released by Sanborn. The Source Information from interviews conducted by FOX 7 Austin's Rudy Koski
Yahoo
30-01-2025
- Yahoo
Milwaukee human trafficking; detectives hope to raise awareness
The Brief Two detectives part of MPD's Human Trafficking Unit within the Sensitive Crimes Division have been working to stop the crimes. Human trafficking often goes unreported. January is Human Trafficking Awareness Month. MILWAUKEE - January is Human Trafficking Awareness Month and some of the detectives who work in the Milwaukee Police Department's specialized unit want to bring awareness and stop traffickers. What we know Two detectives part of MPD's Human Trafficking Unit within the Sensitive Crimes Division have been working to stop the crimes. Detectives Michael Walker and Anna Flores say oftentimes, traffickers prey on the vulnerable, offering help, but using violence to control. Human trafficking often goes unreported. There's no exact number of victims. SIGN UP TODAY: Get daily headlines, breaking news emails from FOX6 News Over the last two years, the MPD has investigated a combined 70 cases – three so far this year. What they're saying "It could be anybody. It's all over the place, in every neighborhood," Flores said. "They're being branded, they're being repeatedly beaten, they're being raped." "It occurs at gas stations, restaurants, at hotels," Walker said. "It's not necessarily what we see in mainstream movies where a white van pulls up and somebody's kidnapped and getting into sex trafficking." Dig deeper Maria Rozek is a trauma counselor and victim advocate within the unit. "This is not a new issue in our community, this has been going on for decades," Rozek said. "We, as a city, as a department are invested in trying to build safety within our community. The more we talk about a subject, it unravels." What we know Investigators say a lot of trafficking is happening to young people. FREE DOWNLOAD: Get breaking news alerts in the FOX LOCAL Mobile app for iOS or Android "A lot of it is taking place online," Flores said. "We do frequent websites to see if we can spot any known missing juveniles." Investigators are trying to bring awareness and encourage people to come forward. If you suspect human trafficking or are the victim, there are ways to get help. MPD said to contact them directly or call the National Human Trafficking Hotline at 1-888-373-7888, or the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children at 1-800-843-5678, or visit their CyberTipline website. The Source Milwaukee Police Department Human Trafficking Unit
Yahoo
30-01-2025
- Yahoo
Online toolkit set to help sex trafficking victims
Rapid City, S.D. (KELO) — January is Human Trafficking Awareness Month. The South Dakota Survivor Task Force has recently put out a toolkit online to provide a one-stop location for local, regional and national resources. Human trafficking survivors from across South Dakota have put their hearts into this toolkit to hopefully make a difference and save lives. 'And the toolkit identifies these different kinds of abuse, how people might respond to the abuse and how to navigate it afterward,' Task Force Member Jolene Geary said. It offers guidance and tips for other victims who are trying to survive. It also includes warning signs that could save a life. 'The victim will not be speaking for themselves but the individual holds a place of authority. Whether it's age or just a dominant role. And you can usually recognize that an individual that's being victimized will hold back, maybe not make eye contact,' Treasured Lives Executive Director/Survivor Kelly Patterson said. Kelly Patterson is a human trafficking survivor and author who speaks around the country. 'And a lot of people don't imagine that happens here and so my biggest passion about the whole thing is educating the public to understand it does happen here, it's been happening here for a very long time,' Patterson said. Rhoden joins KELOLAND News for first sit-down interview In recent years, social media has brought more attention to the reality of these situations. 'Because of social media, people who are younger are becoming more aware of these social injustices, these social issues. And they do want to get involved, they do want to see people heal, they want to see people freed,' Task Force Member/Survivor Gina Dvorak said. Former CIA Special Operations Officer and actor Bazzel Baz has been working to rescue children for more than 30 years. In that time, his team has helped rescue more than 500 children. 'A moral issue in our country and that should be approached with dignity and compassion simply because children are the most innocent in our nation. I believe it's a national security issue too,' Association for the Recovery of Children Founder Bazzel Baz said. Not only can trafficking begin with a kidnapping, but it can also start with psychological means. The most common recruiters are Family Members or Caregivers, Intimate Partners, and Employers. 'And we need to be good leaders and good people that will say, this is not going to happen on my watch. You know if I've got 80 years here to live, then within 80 years I'm going to do my very best to save a child. Saving one child will not change the world, but for that one child their entire world will change,' Baz said. 'I think it's really important for family members and people who are support systems or people who are victims going through this. And so the toolkit is an online resource, so it's also really accessible to rural areas too,' Geary said. Law enforcement and the judicial system are also making a difference. The number of people convicted of human trafficking nearly doubled from 2012 to 2022. Survivors are hoping these toolkits send an important message. 'Pretty much everything that happens in trafficking is not your fault. You know, it's being under the control of someone else. And so that's always important for me to share is that those things don't define who you are as a human being and you can overcome incredible amounts of trauma and live a different life,' Dvorak said. Not only does this toolkit provide information on sex trafficking, it also has information on domestic violence, stalking, and more situations one might be fighting against. You can find the toolkit here. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
