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.
Testimony: Unbound Mongolia
Did you know Unbound has an office in Mongolia? In this testimony, a staff member shares how he broke his addiction to pornography after learning about the connection between pornography and sex trafficking.
My name is M. Here is my story about how I became a fighter against pornography after struggling with an addiction for multiple years.
My pornography addiction began when I was in 8th grade. By that time, we used to have many gaming places in my city called internet cafes where we could play and use the internet for different purposes. Meanwhile, only a few families used to have the internet at their homes.
One day, my classmates and I went to an internet café in order to play a game together. We gathered our money and paid for the VIP room, where there were multiple computers and we could lock the door if we wanted. While we were playing a game, one of our friends was watching pornography on his screen. I glanced at his screen once and continued to play. Soon after, he started to give us links where we could watch same video. That is how I began watching pornography as a child. From then on, my friends and I watched porn when we hung out, causing some of us to be more focused on porn instead of the game we were playing.
Unbound’s Underground: A Drop-In Center for Youth
A 2012 study* by WestCoast Children’s Clinic showed that 75 percent of trafficked youth were exploited for two or more years before being recovered or identified as a victim. 50 percent of these youth were age 14 or under when the exploitation started. 75 percent do not view themselves as victims.
If we wait for these vulnerable youth to ask for help, they may never receive the services they deserve. We must take action now to intervene earlier in the process, and to prevent this from happening in the first place.
That’s why Unbound is opening The Underground, a drop-in center for trafficked and exploited youth, which will be the first of its kind in Tarrant County, Texas.
When your mom doesn’t want you anymore…
Many children are made more vulnerable to exploitation or trafficking as a result of feelings of inadequacy or rejection from their families. Unbound’s Youth Prevention Program provides a unique opportunity to connect with children in a way that helps them feel safe to share their feelings and seek assistance.
As the Director of Youth Prevention, one of my favorite things to do is facilitate a 5-week series to empower students with an in-depth understanding of human trafficking. I am a licensed facilitator for both Love146’s Not a #Number curriculum and the iEmpathize Empower Youth Program. Spending 5 weeks with the students gives me a chance to get to know them, build trust, and create space for them to share their vulnerabilities and learn how to overcome them.
I am continually amazed at how students will open up and share their deepest fears and pains.
When a Child’s Heart is Compelled to Make Grown-up Choices
The two classes I had just taught at the high school went great. The students were engaged and asked many relevant questions. As a facilitator, I felt our Keeping Students Safe curriculum on Human Trafficking was being well received by the students, and they were understanding the core concepts regarding students who had been trafficked.
But the 3rd period class taught me a lesson I will never forget…
Your child is home, but are they safe?
It’s plain to see that the world is rapidly changing in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic—not just on a global scale, but on a personal level. As schools and businesses close, families are exploring what it means to stay home and try to continue life remotely through various technologies. As students transition to learning from home using amazing online resources to continue their education, we as parents need to be vigilant and aware of our kids’ social media and internet activity. In times like these, technology can be an incredible gift, but the internet also has a dark side. For your children, increased time online means increased risk of being targeted by predators who are taking advantage of the uptick in kids’ online activity. The potential for exposure to pornography is also increased as more time is spent on electronic devices.
Chelsea: Survivor Advocacy at Unbound Waco
Chelsea is the lead case manager at Unbound Waco, providing comprehensive case management services to all types of human trafficking victims and survivors. We asked Chelsea some questions to better understand her role.
What does your role look like at Unbound Waco?
“My role involves journeying with human trafficking survivors through their processes toward healing and restoration. My first priority is ensuring their safety and meeting any immediate needs–food, clothing, shelter, etc. My second priority is building a client-worker relationship centered on trust. I build trust by listening to their stories, taking them to eat at their favorite restaurant, and remembering their birthdays. I build trust by discovering their strengths and dreams. It takes time to build trust, but it’s an important foundation for effective advocacy and case management.”
The Faces of Unbound Now: Julia
At Unbound, we believe that every person has a unique part to play in bringing an end to human trafficking. That’s why we encourage everyone (regardless of your career, age, or background) to get involved. Volunteers, survivors, and partners are truly the faces of Unbound; we wouldn’t be who we are without you! Below is […]