A Redemption Story at Christmas
Over the years of working with clients, I’ve learned that Christmas can bring back painful memories of exploitation. For many, the holidays are a time of increased exploitation. When people are off of work, demand for commercial sex increases, and victims of human trafficking suffer all the more. Our clients have often expressed to me, […]
Texas Governor’s Office tasks Unbound Now with serving 45 counties
When our phone line rings with an outcry call, day or night, an advocate responds on-scene within 90 minutes. They meet the victims where they are, literally and figuratively. The field-based services allow us to work in real-time with law enforcement, child welfare, juvenile justice, healthcare, and other partners to support victim-centered goals. In so […]
True Story: A Trafficking Survivor’s Vision for the Future
Dear friend, The grace of God never fails to amaze me. A friend of ours is an ophthalmologist and provides glasses and eye care for survivors who need it. One day at our Unbound Now office, one of our advocates asked if I could go by the clinic to pick up a new pair of […]
An important update from Susan
As we usher in a new year, I can say with confidence that I am more excited than ever for what lies ahead. It is both an honor and privilege to share some significant news about the future of Unbound Now with you, our global community today.
Behind the scenes of a sting
“The moment of recovery is without a doubt, one of the most dramatic moments an advocate can be invited into; it is also one of the most sacred.” I can proudly say that over the last 11 years we have been honored to work with local, state, federal, and international law enforcement. Fighting human trafficking […]
How do you identify trafficking in an international airport?
“I will never forget the time we met two teenage girls, who were going to China to “work.”
Hope found in a Louisiana hospital
One week ago, a youth presented in a Louisiana hospital with serious injuries, physical and emotional. She was a victim of human trafficking. Local officials made the decision to call Unbound Now. Within an hour of receiving their call, one of our highly-trained staff met her at the hospital with practical support and compassionate care. […]
TEAM 5: UPDATE FROM UKRAINE RESPONSE
Written by Jessica Sykora, Unbound Now Director of Development Almost 13 million people are believed to have fled their homes in Ukraine since the conflict began, according to the United Nations, making this situation the fastest and largest mass migration of people since WWII. This is the fact that motivated me as I flew with […]
TEAM 4: UPDATE FROM UKRAINE RESPONSE
Written by team member George Young I want to share some of what I have learned about the Ukraine refugee crisis so far, and how Poland has stepped up in a huge and heroic way. With the sudden influx of refugees from Ukraine flowing into Poland (3-4 million), many humanitarian organizations and the Polish government […]
TEAM 3: UPDATE FROM UKRAINE RESPONSE
Shared by Amanda Buenger, Executive Director of Unbound Bryan College Station I am still processing all that our team experienced on our recent trip to the Poland/Ukraine border. Before leaving, I had a few expectations of what we might experience in a war torn crisis situation, but upon arrival, I was continually blown away by […]
TEAM 1: UPDATE FROM UKRAINE RESPONSE
I’m writing to update you on the results from Team 1’s initial “scouting” trip to the Poland/Ukraine border. The Unbound team spent 5 days assessing the need and connecting with the local and international partners we will be serving. I had the privilege to be there, and I am excited to share with you how […]
Running to the crisis: Unbound’s response for ukraine
It is no surprise that exploitation increases exponentially when natural disasters or wars occur. Right now, the Russian invasion of Ukraine is sending millions of people running to the borders. Most of these are women and children, as Ukrainian men stay and fight. These unprotected people are in extreme danger of exploitation. One of the […]
Human Trafficking 101: Traffickers & Buyers
Human trafficking is a business of supply and demand. In this video, you’ll learn who is driving the demand, who is guilty of human trafficking, and what you can do to be part of the solution.
Human Trafficking 101: Victims and Survivors
Individuals who experience trafficking victimization come from all different walks of life and their experiences differ greatly. But there are some common themes we can learn from, as well as signs we can all look for to help people get free. In this short video, you’ll learn more about the red flags of trafficking, how […]
Human Trafficking 101: Risk Factors & Traffickers’ Tactics
Traffickers identify and target the unmet needs and desires of victims. By learning about risk factors, we’re better equipped to identify the tactics of traffickers to keep ourselves and others safe. In this short video provided for you by Unbound, you’ll learn who is at risk for human trafficking, how this crime impacts boys, how […]
Human Trafficking 101: AMP Model
Do you think you understand the basics of human trafficking in the United States? You might be surprised what actions count as trafficking crimes, according to federal law. In this 6-minute video brought to you by Unbound, you’ll learn that the crime of human trafficking can be defined through Actions, Means and Purposes (the AMP […]
Fact Sheets: Sex Trafficking of Black Women & Girls in the U.S.
The Congressional Black Caucus Foundation put out a series of fact sheets demonstrating the disproportionate impact of trafficking on black women and girls. Click the button below to view the fact sheets. Here’s an excerpt:
“To better understand the high rates of sex trafficking among Black women and girls, research has indicated the continued sexualization of Black women and girls’ bodies which has played out since slavery. The myths around Black women and girls’ hypersexuality cannot be ignored when researching sex trafficking.
Do assembly-style presentations make a difference?
“Almost one out of five central Texas high school students are either approached by a trafficker or are trafficked. Raising awareness can also validate someone’s experience or prompt them to seek help they did not know was available.” This quote comes from a research article published in the Journal of Human Trafficking in December 2020. […]
Pornography & Sex Trafficking
When considering what perpetuates sex trafficking, the more obvious factors include poverty, political instability, and gender inequalities. What most people often don’t recognize as a major contributor to sex trafficking, however, is pornography. It’s a hidden factor that people don’t want to talk about. Human trafficking remains a “wicked” problem because it is inextricably bound to a plethora of other issues, including market demand in the commercial sex industry. The normalization of pornography in the 21st century increases demand, and increased demand ensures that supply will continue. If supply is to decrease, demand must decrease.
Fast Fashion & Labor Trafficking
When people hear the words “human trafficking,” most think of sexual exploitation as opposed to labor exploitation. However, forced labor accounts for an estimated 81% of total human trafficking cases (Human Rights First). One contributor to “forced labor” is fast fashion, which is defined as cheap, trendy clothing that transitions directly from the catwalk or celebrity culture to retail stores for consumer purchasing (Good on You). Its purpose is to get the newest styles on the market as quickly as possible so consumers will purchase them at the height of popularity (Good on You).