Not Alone

Working Together in the Fight Against Human Trafficking

On view January 9, 2021 to May 30, 2021
 

Inside the Exhibition

Human trafficking is one of the most significant issues facing communities today, yet it is commonly misunderstood and often undetected. Geared toward teen and adult audiences, Not Alone provides visitors with the tools to identify trafficking and the resources to find help and support survivors.

The exhibition is presented in both English and Spanish, and a panel version will be available free of charge to communities around the state to further enhance awareness after the exhibition's run at the Bullock Museum.

A series of questions guide visitors through the exhibition, and select artifacts reflect survivors' stories of resilience, strength, and self-empowerment. Original videos throughout the exhibition feature trafficking survivors and advocates who answer each section's guiding questions. Visitors also have the opportunity to take home an art activity and resources for reporting and assisting.

Sections

A series of questions guide visitors through the exhibition:

1. What is human trafficking?

The first section of the exhibition explains what human trafficking is—including both sex trafficking and labor trafficking—and defines key terms, such as force, fraud, coercion, and various types of abuse.

2. Who does trafficking affect?

Trafficking can happen to anyone. Section two explores the characteristics that can make someone particularly vulnerable and increase the likelihood they will be trafficked. This section also introduces visitors to the survivors and advocates they will meet in the exhibition.

3. What role do healthy relationships play in trafficking?

Section three explores the ways a lack of healthy relationships can make someone vulnerable to trafficking and outlines labor rights in the United States. 

4. What role does technology and social media play?

Traffickers often use social media to seek out individuals online. This section examines the ways traffickers utilize technology, and defines the process of grooming and recruiting. This section also highlights the ways social media platforms can be positive tools for survivors, educators, and advocates to connect and find support.

5. What can I do?

The final section allows visitors to gain resources to assist those exploited and concrete steps for enlisting aid. Visitors learn common red flags and what to do if they or someone they know is being trafficked, and they can take home an art activity that also provides additional resources and contacts. 

Resources
Advisors
  • Office of the Governor Public Safety Office and the Texas Human Trafficking Task Force
  • Governor's Commission for Women
  • McCain Institute
  • National Center for Mission and Exploited Children
  • Love146
Programs and Events
  • Member Exclusive: Not Alone Exhibition Conversation
    January 22, 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm
    Member-only virtual conversation and panel discussion around the Not Alone exhibition.
  • High Noon Talk: Managed Migrations
    February 4, 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm
    Join Dr. Cristina Salinas for a virtual conversation about her award-winning book, Manage Migrations, which examines the concurrent development of a border agricultural industry and changing methods of border enforcement in the Rio Grande Valley of Texas over the past century.
  • Workshop: Prevent Trafficking and Exploitation
    March 11, 6:00 pm - 7:00 pm
    Join us for a workshop with representatives from Love146, an organization dedicated to ending human trafficking. The workshop will provide an introduction on the reality of human trafficking and give attendees some tools they can take with them to safeguard their communities.
  • New Perspectives: Trafficking, Smuggling, and Policing
    April 8, 6:00 pm - 7:00 pm
    Join us for a discussion with Dr. Jessica Pliley on the history of efforts to police human trafficking and smuggling. This important look back will provide historical context for today's efforts and shed light on an often unspoken issue.
Credits

Lead Sponsorship by Nancy Ann and Ray L. Hunt. Major funding from the Texas Bar Foundation.

The Bullock Museum, a division of the Texas State Preservation Board, is funded by Museum members, donors, and patrons, the Texas State History Museum Foundation, and the State of Texas.

Rental Information

The traveling version of the exhibition is available for booking to schools, museums, libraries, and community centers across Texas free of charge for a display period of up to five weeks at each venue. Please contact TSHM.TravelingExhibits@TheStoryofTexas.com for additional information and date availability.

Exhibition Travel Dates and Locations
Eastland County Museum, Eastland 07/07/2024 - 08/03/2024
Polk County Memorial Museum, Livingston 08/18/2024 - 09/21/2024
Trinity Valley Community College, Athens 10/06/2024 - 11/16/2024
Val Verde County Library, Del Rio 01/16/2022 - 02/05/2022
Texas Southmost College, International Technology, Education and Commerce Center (ITECC), Brownsville 03/06/2022 - 04/09/2022
Sam Houston Regional Library and Research Center, Liberty 04/24/2022 - 05/28/2022
Weslaco Museum of Local History and Cultural Art, Weslaco 07/10/2022 - 10/01/2022
Abilene Public Library, Abilene 10/16/2022 - 11/19/2022
Abilene Christian University, Brown Library, Abilene 01/08/2023 - 04/01/2023
Blanco Library, Blanco 04/16/2023 - 05/20/2023
Irving Archive and Museum, Irving 06/02/2023 - 08/05/2023
Laredo Crime Stoppers, Laredo 08/20/2023 - 09/23/2023
Texas A&M International University, Laredo 10/09/2023 - 11/11/2023
Midwestern State University, Wichita Falls 01/14/2024 - 02/17/2024
McAllen Heritage Center, McAllen 03/03/2024 - 04/06/2024

Download Media Assets

Press Releases

Not Alone: Working Together in the Fight Against Human Trafficking exhibition logo

Human trafficking awareness and prevention exhibition available to travel across Texas starting in January 2022

November 10, 2021 (Austin, Texas) -- Starting in January 2022, the Bullock Texas State History Museum will offer a traveling version of its groundbreaking exhibition Not Alone: Working Together in the Fight Against Human Trafficking. View Press Release

In The News

New Exhibit Helps Teens And Adults Understand Human Trafficking’s Toll

1/12/2021, Texas Standard / Alexandra Hart & Shelly Brisbin -- The Bullock Museum’s “Not Alone: Working Together in the Fight Against Human Trafficking” answers questions and guides supporters of those who have experienced trafficking. View Article

The Bullock’s Latest Exhibit Brings Attention to Human Trafficking

1/15/2021, Austin Monthly / Molly Todd -- Featuring numerous videos from survivors, “Not Alone” doesn’t just spread awareness—it also encourages action. View Article

Facing budget cuts, Texas alcohol regulators aim to expand human trafficking prevention efforts

1/31/2021, KRQE / Wes Rapaport -- The Bob Bullock Texas State History Museum, a few blocks from the Capitol, is featuring an exhibit with videos and artifacts to show the signs of trafficking and support survivors. View Article

Bullock Museum joins the fight against human trafficking with new 'Not Alone' exhibit

2/8/2021, CBS Austin / John-Carlos Estrada -- "It was one of the hardest subjects we've ever tackled": Bullock Museum joins the fight against human trafficking with new 'Not Alone' exhibit. View Article

Human trafficking awareness and prevention exhibition available to travel across Texas starting in January 2022

11/10/2021, Yahoo Finance -- Starting in January 2022, the Bullock Texas State History Museum will offer a traveling version of its groundbreaking exhibition Not Alone: Working Together in the Fight Against Human Trafficking. View Article

Bullock Museum’s ‘Not Alone’ exhibit to travel across Texas to raise awareness on human trafficking

12/30/2021, KXAN / Maggie Glyn -- Beginning in January, an exhibit at the Bullock Texas State History Museum could be coming to your town. The “Not Alone” exhibit will be traveling around Texas, aiming to raise awareness about human trafficking. View Article

Exhibit raising awareness about human trafficking now open at Brownsville's Texas Southmost College

3/10/2022, KRGV / Sthefany Rosales -- The exhibit, “Not Alone – Working Together in the Fight Against Human Trafficking," tells the stories of survivors of human trafficking. View Article

Exhibition targets human trafficking

3/20/2022, The Brownsville Herald / Gary Long -- A traveling exhibition on display through April 9 at Texas Southmost College aims to dispel misconceptions about human trafficking and combat its prevalence by providing resources to help victims become survivors. View Article