Not Alone: Survivors and Activists
Working Together in the Fight Against Human Trafficking
The Not Alone exhibition educates visitors about human trafficking and gives them a sense of hope and empowerment in combating the issue.
Human trafficking is one of the most significant issues facing our communities today. In Texas alone, hundreds of thousands of people are trafficked every year. Trafficking can happen in any community and can affect anyone regardless of age, race, ethnicity, gender, or nationality.
Stories of survivors and advocates help to reveal answers to guiding questions: what is human trafficking? who does trafficking affect? what role do healthy relationships play? what is the role of social media? and what can I do?
What is human trafficking?
Human trafficking is when someone uses your body or your free work for their own gain.
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What is the role of social media?
Traffickers use social media to get to know you, talk to you, and get you to trust them. They lie to take advantage of you. Be careful who you talk to and what you tell strangers online.
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What can I do?
If someone is making you or one of your friends feel unsafe, tell someone you trust. If you think you are being trafficked, remember that you haven’t done anything wrong and what is happening to you is not your fault.
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What is labor trafficking?
Labor trafficking most often occurs in low wage and/or hazardous industries and can be found at every level of the consumer supply chain.
What is recruiting?
Labor traffickers often employ recruiters or other middlemen to lure workers with false promises of legitimate, well-paying work. Recruiting, especially on social media, often looks like legitimate job ads or posts on community pages looking for workers.
What is sex trafficking?
Sex trafficking occurs when a person is being sold for sex against his or her will. It differs from prostitution, where the person has a choice.
What is grooming?
Grooming is the process traffickers use to get close to someone and draw them into sex trafficking.
Who does trafficking affect?
Trafficking can happen to anyone in any community, regardless of age, race, ethnicity, gender, or nationality. However, there are characteristics that can make someone particularly vulnerable and increase the likelihood they will be trafficked.
Why are healthy relationships important?
You have a right to feel safe and respected by the people in your life. You also have a right to control your own body and its work and set boundaries for yourself.
What do I do if I want to help?
You can donate your time or money to advocacy and support programs and be a smart consumer and customer.
Resources
For tools on recognizing signs of trafficking or identifying victims:
- Love146 offers a variety of training and resources for youth, caregivers, and professionals
- Polaris Project aims to end human trafficking. It operates the U.S. National Human Trafficking Hotline and provides resources on sex and labor trafficking
- U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office on Trafficking in Persons
- NCMEC works with families, victims, private industry, law enforcement, and the public to assist with preventing child abductions, recovering missing children, and providing services to deter and combat child sexual exploitation.
For ways to contribute to the fight against human trafficking:
- Give your time or your financial contribution. For a list of organizations helping victims in your area, visit www.humantraffickinghotline.org
- Share information from trusted organizations and raise awareness within your business, church, school, or other circle of influence
- Support high-risk populations such as homeless or foster youth to reduce vulnerability
- Become an informed consumer to ensure your clothing, food, and other goods are not produced by child or forced labor
More useful information sources:
- Bullock Museum human trafficking information sign and handout
- A21 raises awareness through the Can You See Me? Campaign and free student curriculum
- Netsmartz provides free online safety resources and age-appropriate lessons
- Unbound offers education and training for students, educators, and parents
- Connect Safely is a nonprofit dedicated to educating users of connected technology about safety, privacy and security, and offers a variety of resources
- 3Strands Global Foundation offers protocol development, all school staff training, Trainer of Trainers, and TEKS aligned K-12 curriculum. Training for nonprofits, adults, and parents.
- McCain Institute fights to advance freedom, prosperity, security and human dignity for the benefit of all Americans and the world.
- Texas Department of Transportation (TXDOT): Connecting you with Texas.
- On the Road to End Human Trafficking guide
- On the Road to End Human Trafficking restroom sign 1 and On the Road to End Human Trafficking restroom sign 2
- On the Road to End Human Trafficking vehicle card
- On the Road to End Human Trafficking wallet card
- On the Road to End Human Trafficking flyer 1 and On the Road to End Human Trafficking flyer 2
If you need help or suspect human trafficking, contact the National Human Trafficking Hotline at 1-888-373-7888. You can also text "Help" or "Info" to 233733 or email Report@PolarisProject.org.
Lead Sponsorship by Nancy Ann and Ray L. Hunt.
Major funding from the Texas Bar Foundation. Major support provided by the Texas Trucking Association.
Special thanks to Scopelitis, Garvin, Light, Hanson & Feary P.C. and Mondics Insurance Group, Inc.
The Bullock Texas State History Museum is a division of the State Preservation Board. Additional support of exhibitions and programs is provided by the Texas State History Museum Foundation.