Human Trafficking in Texas

I usually keep it pretty light here, but now and then I have to break of the levity to talk about something more serious.  Today I want to talk with you about an issue that's very important to me:  human trafficking, i.e. modern slavery.

When many people hear about human trafficking (the modern slave trade), they think it only exists in far away places--not here in the US.  But while it's true that slavery is more prevalent in Asia and Africa, it happens right here in Texas too.

According to the National Human Trafficking Resource Center, Texas ranked number 2 in the number of calls places to the hotline (just behind California--I'll be posting about that later for my California friends).  That doesn't necessarily mean there's more slavery here than other states...it could just mean that more people here are aware of the problem and so are reporting suspected activity more often.   More telling perhaps  that Mosaic Family Services in Dallas typically serves 100 victims a year (Dallas News).   Here's just a couples of specific incidences of slavery in Texas I found on SlaveryMap.org*.

• A San Antonio man is on trial for the kidnapping, rape and prostitution of a 13-year-old runaway.

•  A couple in Arlington, TX enticed a widowed Nigerian mother of six to come to the United States to be their domestic servant by falsely promising a salary and support for her children. Once she came here they confiscated her documents, isolated her, and compelled her to work long hours with no days off. The victim also says the husband sexually assaulted her while she was working for them. (The couple have been convicted of forced labor and various other charges)
  
  

(*UPDATE:  SlaveryMap.org sadly no longer exists. )

So, what is Texas doing to combat this?  I'm kinda proud here.  As far as laws related to human trafficking, Texas ranks fairly well, according to reports by Polaris Project* and Shared Hope* Texas is doing better than average.  These reports said Texas was doing well in the training and and other tools it offers law enforcement to combat trafficking.  There was one area, however, that both reports found Texas lacking in:   Namely that Texas law leaves some victims of trafficking open to criminal convictions for prostitution that was committed as a result of being trafficked.  This is so important to address, because not only does that punish the victim, but also some traffickers sometimes use the threat of criminal convictions to keep their victims from seeking help from the police.  Texas has some laws in place to keep that from happening (for instance, children under 14 can not be charged with prostitution), but there are holes in the protection that need fixing. 

OK, that's what our government is doing--but what can individuals do about this issue?   A lot.  To learn what you can do, visit this link, or contact the Texas organizations below:

TEXAS HUMAN TRAFFICKING RESOURCES

Central Texas Coalition Against Human Trafficking

South Texas Coalition Against Human Trafficking

North Texas Coalition Against Human Trafficking

More Resources for Texas

I'm spreading awareness by taking part in the Anti-Slavery Blog-O-Thon.
You can too. Click the link below to find out more.

Giveaways 4 Texifornians

The following giveaways have California and/or Texas appeal, for my Californian and Texan readers!  Lots of local stuff.  These are usually low entry too.

(2/28) Lishy Lou and Lucky Too Tickets (Los Angelos, CA)

(3/1) $50 Gift Card to California Delicious Online Store

(3/3)  $100 GC to House of Blues Restauarant (CA & TX Locations:  Anaheim, Los Angelos, San Diego, CA;  Dallas, Houston TX)

(3/21) Easter Extravaganza Tickets (Irving, CA)

Oh, and I found a blog with a whole section just for California Giveaways Here.  Cool huh?  You might want to buzz over there to see if there's any new CA giveaways I missed.

This is Wherever Wednesday

Welcome to This is Wherever Wednesday!   At Wherever Wednesday we share those little moments that really show the character of the places we live.  Those times that just make you think "This is Texas"  (or Idaho, Chicago, or New Zealand, Manilla or WHEREVER.)  

Please leave your  posts on the linky below.   If you're still a little uncertain what this is all about, this post over at Budget Blond  (where "This is Wherever" originated) will help you out.  And, though it's not required, I'd love if you would grab the This is Wherever button on the sidebar and share it in your post or somewhere else on your blog!  Thanks for participating!

NOTE:  This week I'm trying out a Thumbnail linky.  What do you think?  Like it better, or prefer the text links?  Please leave me a note in the comments.  

Literary Junkies

Since becoming a parent I've been much less of a "Literary Junkie" than I used to be, but since I recently have had the opportunity to read something, I thought I'd join in and answer the questions at the Literary Junkies link-up. 

1. What are you reading right now? 

I just finished The Hunger Games.  I keep going back and re-reading parts of it so it totally counts as something I'm "reading now."   Wow.  What a powerful, gut-wrenching, book. Do not pass this off as just "youth fiction."   Though, my 10 year old did love it.  (10 is a little young, though he's mature for his age.  I had bought the book for me, and not intended to pass it on to him until later because of the subject matter, but then I wake up one morning and find him sitting on the couch a third of way through it.  You can not let your child read a book, but not letting him FINISH a book is another matter.  I know how crazy that would drive him.  So I decided to catch up and read it myself so I could talk about it with him.  It does have a lot of violence, but the IMPLICATIONS of that violence is right on target.  It really challenges the cavalier treatment we often have towards it.  

2. Out of the 16 books that will be turned into a movie adaptation, which one are you most looking forward to seeing this year? (Article Link)

I have not read any of these books, but the Maze Runner, The Giver, and The Hundred Foot Journey all sound like books I'd love to read and films I'd love to see.  

3. What was the worst book you’ve ever read?

Last of the Mohicans...really, watch the movie, it's better.  And I don't say that often.  Think I'm just uncultured? Well, Mark Twain Hated it too.  

4. What foods or beverages have you spilled on a book while reading? Anything good?

Ha ha.  I can't remember, but I'm sure I've spilled a few.  Actually, probably breast milk, cause I attempted to read while nursing.  

5. Do you picture characters as popular film or tv actors? Or do you create a whole new person in your head?

My imagination creates their own characters.

6. Out of all the authors you’ve read books by, who’s brain would you want to pick the most?  

Definately one of the Biblical writers.  Though there's also quite a few poets I'd like to ask questions of.  And right now, having just read the Hunger Games, I'd love to ask Suzanne Collins whether her book was at all inspired by the Roman idea of "bread and circuses."

Giveaway 4 Texifornians

The following giveaways have California and/or Texas appeal:

(2/8) Knotts Berry Farm Tickets (in Southern California)

(2/11) Harlem Globe Trotter Tickets (Anaheim, CA)

(2/12) 4 Tickets to Gala of the Royal Horses (in Austin, TX)

Oh, and I found a blog with a whole section just for California Giveaways Here.  Cool huh?

This is Wherever Wednesday (14)

Hello all!  Sorry this Wherever Wednesday is a week late  I was out of town for the holidays so had to postpone it.  So, how was your holidays?  Were there any "this is my town" moments, moment that made you think, "Only here!"  Please share them!

I'd like to take a little side trip and ask you to all check out a great event called Hearts Should Be Free going on Jan 15 - Feb 15 to raise awareness about a problem many do not know still exisits.  Sadly, slavery is still alive today and it's a world-wide problem.  Though slavery is illegal in every country, there is no country where the forced exploitation of people for labor  and/or prostitution does not exist.  Bloggers are still needed to help promote and participate in this event.  Please check this event out and see what you can do.  




Now, as always, here are few of the highlights from last month.   

• There was a perplexing sign in Austin posted by Planet Jinxatron.
• Waco Mom went sight seeing with a very small visitor on a very important mission.

Thanks to everyone else who posted last week.    Some of the posts has errors (linked back to here or just to the main blog, not a specific post...so you may want to check if last month's went through and repost if it didn't (you're welcomed to post more than once a month here...any time).  

To everyone else, please leave your "This is Wherever" posts on the linky below (whether your wherever is "New Hampshire, Panama, or the Pacific Northwest").    If you're still a little uncertain what that means, this post over at Budget Blond will help you out.  And, though it's not required, I'd love if you would grab the This is Wherever button on the sidebar and share it in your post or somewhere else on your blog!  And make sure to visit some of the other links too!  It's always a fascinating journey.  Thanks for participating!

Giveaway Linkies

Below are 3 Giveaway Link Ups:  Giveaways 4 Good, Low Entry Giveaway, and a Regular Link-up For Everything Else, collected here, for your easy browsing.  If you want to submit a giveaway, or see theses linkies separately, please do so at the appropriate links below (as rules for submitting are not on this page).

PLEASE INCLUDE END DATE!!!!

SUBMIT LOW ENTRY GIVEAWAY

SUBMIT A GIVEAWAY FOR GOOD

SUBMIT ANY OTHER GIVEAWAY

Giveaways For Good
These giveaways help charitable causes, raise awareness, or are fair trade.

An InLinkz Link-up

Low Entry Giveaways
Giveaways with under 150 entries ending within a week.  Please include end date, and number of entried when posted. 

An InLinkz Link-up

All Other Giveaways

An InLinkz Link-up