It’s no surprise that everyone has spent more time online in the past year. One study found a 50% increase in the amount of time kids were spending on screens. This “transition to digital” has changed the way we interact with everyone. It has also impacted human trafficking and our mental health. 

There are steps parents and guardians can take to educate and care for their kids in this new digital landscape this summer. 

The Department of Homeland Security has created a guide for “How to Talk to Youth About Human Trafficking” that can be used to teach children about human trafficking and the reality of how and where it occurs. Their Blue Campaign training dives into where traffickers meet and groom their victims, risk and protective factors, how to have real conversations around dating, violence, online safety, and how to report suspected trafficking. 

As we approach  a summer where life still isn’t back to normal, kids’ levels of anxiety, depression and suicidal ideation have doubled, isolation has increased, and parents continue to navigate uncertainties around the pandemic — it’s important to be educated on WHAT trafficking is and how to identify it. 

May is Mental Health Awareness Month;  a lot of the signs for trafficking and mental health challenges are the same. The Blue Campaign shares the following signs: 
  • Does a person show sudden or dramatic changes in behavior? 
  • Act fearful, anxious, depressed, submissive, tense, or nervous/paranoid?
  • Exhibit behaviors that would get them suspended (fighting, class disruptions)?
  • Defer to another person to speak for him or her, especially during interactions with authority figures?
  • Appear to be deprived of food, water, sleep, medical care, or other necessities? 
  • Engage in sexual behavior that puts them at risk of harm or indicate they may be experiencing abuse from their partner?
  • Stop attending activities they normally attend?
  • Seem restricted from contacting family, friends, or his or her legal guardian?
  • Seem to work excessively long hours or during school/normal work hours?
The COVID-19 pandemic has worsened mental health in many, and made people feel more alone. Just as important as it is to be educated on human trafficking, we need to take care of ourselves and those around us. Check in with one another, reach out, go for a walk, and know that no matter what: you are not alone.

In prayers and in Christ, 
Sues Hess
Executive Director

IN THE NEWS AND RESOURCES

TACKLING PROSTITUTION AND HUMAN TRAFFICKING IN COLORADO SPRINGS
The Pikes Peak region’s multiagency drug and human trafficking task force will expand this year to include two more detectives who can tackle crime across the city and El Paso County, including illegal activity at massage parlors.

ILLICIT SPAS ORDINANCE
The Colorado Springs city council is evaluating options to pass an ordinance that could help the Colorado Springs police department shut down illicit massage parlors.

REDDIT FACES LAWSUIT 
One woman is suing Reddit for knowingly benefitting from lax enforcement of its content polices, including for child pornography. She claims that in 2019, an abusive ex-boyfriend posted sexual photos and videos that he’d taken without her knowledge or consent, and has been able to continue doing so under different accounts. 

MINDGEEK AND PORNHUB CONGRESS BRIEFING
A Congressional briefing was held to uncover evidence of the criminality of Pornhub, and its parent company MindGeek. After a NYT article was published in December 2020, MindGeek has come under public fire for hosting videos of child sexual abuse. 

PRAYER REQUESTS

Are you joining us this evening for our monthly prayer night? We’re re-launching the event tonight (4/29) at 6 p.m. and will join together on the final Thursday of every month from this point forward. Join us at our new office tonight to lift our prayers to the One who restores hope. 
 
  • Pray for a Mentee who is safe now and curious about a faith that can heal and help her overcome her past.
  • Pray for one Mentee to have the courage and trust to follow God’s guidance and uphold healthy boundaries with her family.
  • Pray for other Mentees who are pursuing sobriety and navigating pregnancy. 
  • Please pray that the Lord bless all who donate items for our Restoration Bags! We also ask the Lord to bless and strengthen each Victim Advocate and Specialist we ship our Restoration Bags to; may they find rest in their down time.
  • Please pray for Mandie, our new Director of Survivor Care, as she begins ministering with us. We’ll introduce you to her soon!
  • We are looking to change our look to more appropriately indicate that we do Restoration Bags for both men and women; we need wisdom and discernment.
  • We are grateful for each donation made in support of our work; thank you to those who give sacrificially so that we may journey with Survivors of sex trafficking!