This page is an overview of domestic child sex trafficking + exploitation.
It is a space to lean in and glean, to get educated and acquire good resources in order to help protect our youth, and identify victims.
If you have any questions or if there is ever a moment when you think
*this could be you or someone you know*
please contact the
National Human Trafficking Hotline
at 1 888 3737 888 or text "help" to 233733.
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We are dedicated to bringing awareness and education in order
to prevent the trafficking and exploitation of young people by
equipping them with the knowledge of God’s love and purpose
for their life.
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"fearfully + wonderfully
created on purpose for a purpose"
STEP 1: AWARENESS
If you think, just because you live in the US in a cute suburban neighborhood or a rural farming community in the middle of nowhere, you are exempt from exploitation and trafficking,
let me be the first to tell you . . . you're wrong.
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It's important we ackowledge that human trafficking exists, not only in other countries, but in the US as well. Trafficking occurs in all 50 states including Washington DC and Puerto Rico. This is not just a "hotspot" issue. It doesn't just happen during the Super Bowl, or in big cities only.
Human Trafficking happens in both urban, suburban and rural areas alike.
40.3 MILLION people are enslaved today
that's more people in slavery than any other time in history
what is human trafficking?
STEP 2: EDUCATE
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Before we go much further, I need to make sure you have a basic understanding of what human trafficking is, and specifically what it looks like in the United States. If, when someone mentions human trafficking, you think of the movie Taken, or kidnapped children chained to a radiator, erase it from your mind and let's start over.
Click HT 101 for a crash course on the fastest growing criminal industry in the world
"I won't let my child outta my sight when at the store."
This is the most common response I get from parents when asked about human trafficking.
Due to sensationalized media, most unknowingly associate kidnapping with human trafficking.
And while stranger danger is a concern, and parents and children should be aware,
according to NCMEC, the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children
fewer than 10% of trafficking cases are the result of kidnapping.
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It's more likely that a child is actively being groomed, exploited and or trafficked while still living at home, going to school, attending church and or playing sports.
Because of age, preteens and adolescents are more susceptible to the calculated
advances, deception and manipulation tactics used by traffickers.
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No youth is exempt from falling prey to these tactics.
Let's keep learning.
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Click here to read more about DMST, Domestic Minor Sex Trafficking and Grooming.
created on purpose for a purpose
if we are not grounded in the knowledge of God's love and purpose for our lives,
then we are susceptible to the lies the enemy feeds us.
STEP 3: EQUIP
Now that you are aware that human trafficking does in fact exist in your community, and you know
what it is, how it can happen and who is at risk, the next step is to become equipped so you can prevent it from happening to you or someone you know.
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TO BE FULLY KNOWN
" I just want to be seen, appreciated and loved "
-every child in the United States
Do you remember what it was like growing up?
For most of us it was to fit in and be accepted.
That still rings true today.
Today's youth have not changed.
That's all they want too, and they're willing to do a lot
to be known, seen, accepted . . . and loved.
" the culture did a lot of the grooming for me "
-child sex offender
Quote from Gail Dine's TedX "Growing Up in a Pornified Culture"
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So here is where we get personal . . . and maybe a little uncomfortable.
This is when we as parents have to understand and ackowledge what is
actually taking place in our culture, the false narratives we are being fed,
why it's harmful to us and our children and ultimately what God says about it.
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Giving Back
One of the ways we can help, is by giving back to those organizations who are actively working to end human trafficking. Each time you purchase from my store, I donate a portion of the profit to The Prevention Project™ a nationally recognized curriculum created to educate preteens and teens about human trafficking, and
the Stop Human Trafficking Coalition of Central Missouri,
my local anti trafficking nonprofit organization,
Together we can make a difference.
GET INVOLVED LOCALLY
If you are local to Central Missouri and would like more info on how you can get educated and or involved with the Coalition, please email me at croehaven@gmail.com
or click the link provided below to learn more about the
Stop Human Trafficking Coalition of Missouri.
Online Resources
EDUCATE | STATS & MYTHS
There are many myths about Human Trafficking, educate yourself, learn the truth and spread awareness.
THE PREVENTION PROJECT™
Learn more about how we can educate our children and prevent them from becoming potential victims.
INTERNET SAFETY
Learn more about internet safety and how you can protect your child.
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NEED HELP?
United States: National Human Trafficking Hotline
call: 1 (888) 373-7888
text: 233733 (Text "HELP" or "INFO")
hours: 24 hours, 7 days a week
visit: humantraffickinghotline.org
Gotta question, or wanna chat? Let's Connect!
