January Newsletter

A New Year. A new opportunity to make an impact!

January is National Human Trafficking Prevention and Awareness Month.

What does that mean for you and me? It’s an opportunity to learn and help others learn about trafficking.

So how can Human Trafficking be prevented?

Let’s start by talking about pornography. People are curious to know what pornography is – what’s so intriguing about it? Can I learn something if I just take a peep? No. It has a way of getting into your mind – and will call to you again and again to return to it. It honestly doesn’t take long before you find yourself caught in its web. It actually changes the way your mind is wired, the way you process things. It truly is a web which catches people in its trap.

And that impacts your ability to have an intimate relationship with others. Do not invite any pornography into your life. Don’t even take the first step.

Once you’re caught in that trap, you begin to fantasize. And that leads to action – such as purchasing sex. Those who purchase sex are known as perpetrators, or buyers.

If you’re a parent, and have kids in your home, set boundaries. No internet usage behind closed doors. Only allow phones, tables, computers to be used where others can help you to keep boundaries – no chatting with strangers, or friends of friends of friends. No sending of revealing photos – or sexting. Parents, you can learn lots about keeping your kids safe online from our partners at Exodus Road by taking part in their Influenced Parent Academy. (This program is free to Colorado families! Visit Influenced.org/academy and use discount code COFamily to gain free access.)

Another way to prevent trafficking: provide safe places and relationships for youth. If youth don’t feel that they can talk with safe adults or feels that anyone cares about them (let alone loves them), they are vulnerable for traffickers who can spot that, and approach them in public locations or online. Don’t be afraid to get to know the youth in your neighborhood, or in your church. They need to feel valued and heard so that they’re less vulnerable.

In the meantime, some great websites to learn more include:
The Polaris Project hosts the national trafficking hotline, and offers free training: Human Trafficking Training – Polaris

Another partner of ours is offering training this month: Sarah’s Home, on Saturday, Jan. 11, 9-4. The training is offered at Friendship Assembly, 3685 New Center Pt. and costs $40.00. Register Sarah’s Home | Kindful.

Join us next Tuesday, Jan.14, at the monthly Human Trafficking Task Force of Southern Colorado meeting Kristin Hersh will present on Trafficking Awareness. The Task Force meets at 5:45 at the Reclaiming Hope office (615 Wooten Road, Suite 140).

Blessings,
Sues Hess, Exec. Dir., and the RHope Team