Texas is Closing It's Doors to Traffickers

July 6, 2011

At a time when our country is facing budget crunches and other economic shortfalls, Texas legislators are working to prevent and end the heinous crime of human trafficking from taking place in our state.

A 47 member task force was initiated in Texas to work on legislative recommendations for anti-human trafficking laws. Though the budget is tight across the state, changes to the law are being made that do not have an associated cost. Legislators[...]

Media Coverage Misleads Americans about Human Trafficking

June 17, 2011

Media coverage tends to be heavily biased towards covering stories of trafficking of international victims, both here and abroad.  Leaving many Americans under the false assumption that U.S. citizens are risk free from the dangers of being trafficked.

The majority of people we encounter in our ThinkFreedom (TM) public awareness campaign either don't know what the term Human Trafficking refers to, or they assume it is about an issue dealing exclusively with foreign nationals caught in some form of  domestic servitude. Often, Americans consider Human Trafficking to be an international issue that exists only in foreign counties.  Most are shocked and surprised to learn

A Perfect Partnership - Online Marketplace Partners with Anti-Trafficking Organization

June 3, 2011
Santa Barbara, CA - The internet was identified as the number one platform that traffickers use for buying and selling girls. That's why partnerships like the one between  Zuujit.com, a new online marketplace, and the Not For Sale Campaign, an anti-human trafficking organization, are so important.

In addition to being a traditional online marketplace like Craiglist or Ebay, Zuujit offers the option of making a charitable difference by supporting Not For Sale Campaign with their purchase. Other non-profit organizations have been added to the list, so that buyers [...]

Student Activist fights to end trafficking in massage parlors

May 5, 2011

Pittsburgh, PA - Jessica Goodman, a student at Carnegie Mellon University, is doing a research project on anti-trafficking issues. As part of her research project, she is helping rally support for the proposal that would strengthen regulations on massage parlors in Pittsburgh. Goodman says there are 5,000+ brothels in the United States that are posing as massage parlors.

Goodman is very familiar with the topic of human trafficking in the United States and  has worked for human right, anti-trafficking organizations: Human Rights USA and the Polaris Project. As part of a school research project, Goodman and a friend decided to find out how many brothels in Pittsburgh were disguising themselves as massage parlors.

Tattoo Artists will receive training to fight Sex Trafficking

April 28, 2011 - Change.org, an organization that runs online campaigns for social change, ran a campaign to bring awareness of human trafficking to tattoo artists.

"Branding" is a common way traffickers use to keep track of their victims. They might bring one or several young girls into a tattoo parlor to get a type of "brand" put on them.

Bringing awareness to tattoo artists will give them an understanding of what is happening and what they can do to help. The hope is that they will contact law enforcement, or any anti-trafficking organization if they suspect trafficking is occurring among their clients.

Over 2,000 signed the change.org petition which they declared a "victory" on April 28, 2011. The victory is the National Tattoo Artist Association invited Polaris Project, a national anti-trafficking organization out of Washington D.C., to speak at their next annual conference. This will raise awareness of the issue to a group of people who have the power to help stop trafficking!

Read the Full Article Here

4/27/11 Declared "Human Trafficking Advocacy Day" at the Capitol

April 27, 2011 Austin, TX - Sen. Leticia van De Putte declared yesterday, April 27, 2011, Human Trafficking Advocacy Day at the capitol as individuals and organizations from across Texas gathered on the south steps of the capitol to rally against human trafficking.

In addition to hearing from Sen. Van De Putte, a political leader in advocating against trafficking, Attorney General Greg Abbott also spoke on the issue. We also had the opportunity to hear from the President and CEO of Children at Risk, Dr. Robert Sanborn, on the issue.














Attorney General Greg Abbott and Sen. Leticia Van De Putte

Speakers emphasized that trafficking is a $32 billion dollar industry, permeating every state in our country.

The host of the rally was CHILDREN AT RISK - "a nonprofit organization that drives change for children through research, education and influencing public policy."

Another step towards putting a complete end to slavery, in our state and across the world. As many of the speakers said on the steps of the capitol, "Texas is no longer open for business."

Freedom Youth Foundation at HT Advocacy Day -
President & CEO, Saul Castellanos, Vickie Ernst of our Advisory Board and Nilda Castellanos of our Board of Directors.

5 Sex Trafficking Survivors Share Their Stories

Five female sex trafficking survivors share their stories in a Washington Post article.

Four of the women are now working for organizations that are rescuing and sheltering trafficked persons including Georgia Care in Atlanta, GA and GEMS (Girls Educational and Mentoring Services) in New York, NY:

Read the stories of Tysheena, Sheila, Katrina, Brandy and Anna Here.

Demi and Ashton Launch "Real Men Don't Buy Girls" Campaign Against Human Trafficking

April 11, 2011

Demi Moore and Ashton Kutcher launched their campaign fighting against domestic minor sex trafficking yesterday. The DNA Foundation (Demi & Ashton Foundation) was established to raise awareness of child sex slavery in the United States, change cultural stereotypes that facilitate the problem and rehabilitate innocent victims.

Other A-List celebrities are joining the cause. Justin Timberlake starred in this video as part of the viral video campaign for the DNA Foundation:



The DNA Foundation is urging others to join in by creating their own videos, spreading the word via social networking and reporting when they see suspicious activity online relating to sex trafficking.

To go to DNA's Website:



Read the Full Article Here

FYP Board Member, Chris Burchell, Presents at Blue Ribbon Task Force Conference

March 25, 2011

San Antonio, TX - The Blue Ribbon Task Force of San Antonio, a Child Abuse Awareness and Prevention organization, held it's annual conference on Friday, March 25.

Senator Carlos Uresti was the main speaker for the event, along with Judge Peter Sakai of Children's Court and Legal Issues and Dr. William Rainford of Our Lady of the Lake University.  They, as well as other speakers, addressed  the general issue of child abuse in our county.

Human Trafficking was discussed throughout the conference.

Freedom Youth Project was represented by CEO Saul Castellanos; Board Member, Chris Burchell, and Communications Coordinator, Lauren Palmieri.
Chris Burchell, a Freedom Youth Project board member, with 27 years of experience in law enforcement, presented on the work he's done with Human Trafficking in San Antonio and across the nation. Chris spoke on his work in training other law enforcement personnel to recognize human trafficking and the frequency with which it happens in Bexar county alone.
Read Press Story

Girls Inc. Press Conference - March 8, 2011

On Tuesday, March 8, 2011, Girls Inc. San Antonio held a press conference/discussion panel on the topic of human trafficking and our community. Girls Inc. is an organization whose mission is to inspire young girls to be strong, smart and bold.
















The press conference was introduced by Rhonda Williamson, President and CEO of Girls Inc. in San Antonio. The panelists were Susan Reed, Criminal District Attorney of Bexar County, Rick Gipprich, Director of Education and Training at the Rape Crisis Center and Dottie Laster, co founder of San Antonio’s Coalition Against Human Trafficking.

Topics ranged from what trafficking is, why it happens and what we can do in our community to prevent this crime from the start.

Susan, Rick and Dottie spoke on the importance of gathering our community to fight this issue. Because our city is a "trafficking corridor" containing major highways, San Antonio is a hub for traffickers. Though we have had 15 indictments in San Antonio for Human Trafficking, it is important that we continue to work on the issue. They also mentioned their experience working on trafficking cases and what victims may need after they are recovered.

The conference brought together different members from the community on the topic of educating one of the most important populations in regard to human trafficking - minor girls. Three knowledgeable panelists shared their knowledge and experience in hopes of expanding interest in our community to eradicate this modern form of slavery.

2011 South Texas Anti-Trafficking Conference

The 2011 South Texas Anti-Trafficking Conference theme was held at the Omni Hotel here in San Antonio, TX on February 28 - March 1.

The theme, "Human Trafficking...It's Happening Here, It's Happening Now." highlighted the idea behind the conference, that human trafficking is happening in our own backyards and we need to do something about it. The conference offered sessions of training from investigations, prosecutions, providing services to victims of trafficking and crime, and in-depth discussions on working with human trafficking survivors.

Attendees of the conference included individuals from law enforcement, social services, juvenile advocates educators, medical personnel, NGOs, and other organizations interested in understanding the issue and working to eradicate trafficking.

Keynote Speaker, Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott spoke on the importance of a collaborative effort in our community to eradicate human trafficking, and also spoke of the growing success we've had in San Antonio of identifying and prosecuting human traffickers as well as rescuing victims.

We heard from a trafficking survivor from California, Shyima Hall, and her agent on the case, Mark Abend. Shyima and Mark collaboratively shared the story of Shyima's life and how she ended up as a slave in California. After being transported to the United States at 10 years old, Shyima worked without pay and schooling for several years until she was finally discovered by local law enforcement.

Shyima's story was inspiring from both sides - in seeing a survivor of trafficking now lead a successful life, and also understanding the hard work law enforcement went through to identify and rescue Shyima.

The conference was an informative, collaborative and inspirational conference - allowing individuals and organizations to network so as to increase awareness and prevention of trafficking in our city, country and around the world. We feel priveleged to have attended and we gained a greater understanding of the issue, the needs and where we the Freedom Youth Project fits in to the big picture.

Super Bowl Task Force against Human Trafficking leads to 133 arrests in Dallas, TX

Feb 18, 2011

DALLAS - Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott today announced the preliminary results of a joint local, state and federal law enforcement effort to crack down on human trafficking during the 2011 Super Bowl.

The North Texas Trafficking Task Force (NTTTF) – which included the Attorney General’s Special Investigations Unit, state and federal law enforcement agencies, and six North Texas police departments – conducted undercover operations through Super Bowl Sunday that resulted in a total of 133 arrests.

“By working proactively to prepare for the nation’s most high-profile sporting event, Texas was uniquely positioned to crack down on traffickers and provide much-needed help to their victims.” Attorney General Abbott said.

Stand Up Against Human Trafficking

Sign the Pledge

"I believe the most basic human right is having ownership of your own life.  This most basic right is irrevocable without exception.   No one should exist merely to provide profit or pleasure for another. Human Trafficking is a violation of the most basic human rights, and can only be stopped if people who are free stand-up for those who aren't."

Human Traffickers rely on a ready supply of young teens who are unaware of the fact they are the primary target and the new risks that we live with in today's world.

1. Every chance I get, I will make sure that  I will spread public awareness of this issue and the risks with those who are at risk and parents which children at risk.  
2. I will support legislation designed to reduce this crime, increase prosectution and provide services for victims of Human Trafficking.
3. I will openly support organizations who work to end Human Trafficking and provide services to victims.  I support initiatives designed to provide support recovery treatment for rescued victims of Human Trafficking. . I believe in offering viable treatment options to these victims.
4. I believe in making our world a better place by standing up against human trafficking and providing hope to those that have been affected by this horrific crime.
5. Whenever I can, I will share time, talent or financial assistance to organizations with a mission to provide for victims of Human Trafficking.

Join us in Praying to see the end of Human Trafficking in our lifetime

February 20th through February 28th, 2012

Prayers of protection are the focus of this weeks prayers. For people working to fight human trafficking and for the victims and survivors. In the last several months there have been safe houses close down out of threats and violence if they continued to work. They need our prayers and God’s hand to move to stop the corruption.

1. Protection: Leaders, organizations and survivors would be protected from violence and harm from corruption and traffickers.
2. Truth: That the truth would be revealed. Corruption in governments, law enforcement and NGO’s would be exposed.
3. Fearless: That God would protect leaders and survivors from fear and fill them with courage. God would heal them of all fear.

Psalm 5:11
But let all who take refuge in you be glad; let them ever sing for joy. Spread your protection over them, that those who love your name may rejoice in you.

Psalm 25:5
Guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long.

John 8:32
Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”

Isaiah 41:13
For I am the LORD your God who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you.

Thank you all for taking time to pray for the end of human trafficking and slavery. You are changing the World through your prayers. We are also praying for you and are grateful for your life and fighting for freedom.

Visit www.prayerforfreedom.com

Prayer to End Human Trafficking

Good and Provident God, you are the compassionate and loving Creator of all. With trust, we claim your justice, mercy, compassion, and comfort for the millions affected by human trafficking in our world today.


God of all goodness, give freedom to those who are bound by the chains of modern-day slavery. Comfort those who are trapped and exploited, heal their hurts, give them courage and hope.

Awaken in the hearts of those who are buying, selling, and holding other human beings enslaved, a sense of righteousness and justice. Unsettle those whose apathy allows human trafficking to go unchallenged. 


Give wisdom and insight to all lawmakers. Give valor and integrity to those who enforce the laws. Holy Spirit, show each of us to live as a hope-filled presence in our world until all God's children are set free. Amen.

Sr. Mary Pat Fitz, SND  

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Think Freedom Campaign is an initiative of Freedom Youth Project Foundation