Weekly Program - Human Trafficking

 
Human trafficking is not just a problem in Asian countries or just involving adult women.  It is most likely in your own community.
Did you know that there are more slaves today than ever before in history? These are 25 painfully disturbing facts about human trafficking.  This was published on June 4, 2014:
 
There are more people in slavery today than any other time in history. Estimates are that as many 27 million people are enslaved. Human trafficking is a topic that need our attention and we need to be having conversations around.
 
 
Born in a village deep in the Cambodian forest, Somaly Mam was sold into slavery by her grandfather when she was twelve years old. For the next decade she was shuttled through the brothels that make up the sprawling human trade of Southeast Asia.  Her story has a positive outcome which demonstrates quite well how one person can make a real difference in this world.  The following was uploaded to YouTube on September 21, 2009:
 
In our own backyard - Human Trafficking in Texas (June 3, 2014):
The FBI, United Against Human Trafficking, and Clear Channel Outdoor joined local, state, and federal partners today to call upon Texans to unite against human trafficking and help put a stop to modern day slavery throughout Texas. The unified group of agencies announced a statewide campaign and unveiled billboards and a host of public service advertisements to raise awareness about human trafficking and encourage reporting. The FBI also released a list of Most Wanted Human Traffickers in Texas. A reward up to $10,000 is being offered for information leading to the arrest of fugitives on the Most Wanted Human Traffickers list.
Texas ranks second in the nation in total calls to the National Human Trafficking Resource Center (NHTRC) hotline, with only California ranked higher. In 2013, a total of 436 potential trafficking cases were reported through the hotline from Texas; 144 of those cases were from Houston. Texas’ geographic location, proximity to the border, demographics, and large migrant work force make the state a popular point of entry for human trafficking.
Since the Polaris Project began operating the NHTRC in December 2007, the anti-trafficking hotline has taken over 110,000 calls nationally, including more than 9,500 from Texas. The NHTRC has received reports of more than 1,500 potential cases of human trafficking in Texas. The billboard and public service ad campaign is aimed at reaching trafficking victims who need help, as well as Texans who are being encouraged to report any signs of human trafficking.
“Traffickers are preying on the vulnerable and enslaving them right here within our own communities,” said FBI Acting Special Agent in Charge Carlos J. Barron. “Human beings are not a commodity to be bought and sold. The FBI will continue to aggressively investigate and prosecute these cases with our local, state, and federal law enforcement partners.”
Beginning today, educational messages about human trafficking will be displayed on both traditional and digital billboards across the Houston area and throughout Texas. Advertising space and time are being donated by the Outdoor Advertising Association of Texas (OAAT) and its member companies, Clear Channel Outdoor and Lamar Advertising. Public service ads will appear on Houston-area Yellow Cabs, Metro buses, and area shopping malls. Similar public service announcements will also air on Univision television, Univision radio, and Clear Channel-owned radio stations throughout Texas. All public service ads promote the National Human Trafficking Resource Center hotline (1-888-3737-888) or Polaris Project’s texting short code “BeFree” (233733).