Human trafficking is a serious and nuanced epidemic affecting millions across the globe and here at home. Texas ranks second in the U.S. in human trafficking cases, according to the National Human Trafficking Hotline.
With January designated as Human Trafficking Awareness Month, the Family Crisis Center of East Texas seeks to raise awareness of this heinous crime in the local community by hosting events in Lufkin and Nacogdoches.
The agency kicks off its Things Aren’t Always What You See campaign for human trafficking awareness with a free film screening of the Surviving Sex Trafficking documentary at the Pines Theater in downtown Lufkin Tuesday, Jan. 24. Doors open at 5 p.m. and the program begins at 6 p.m, with light refreshments served.
The Nacogdoches County Exposition & Civic Center at 3805 NW Stallings Dr., will be the site of both a human trafficking awareness event and anti-human trafficking training for professionals on Wednesday, Jan. 25.
Community members are encouraged to attend the awareness event to empower themselves to end human trafficking by learning the red flags and what resources are available to survivors through the agency. The event begins at 11:30 a.m. and lunch will be served.
Following at 1 p.m., is the human trafficking training entitled “Victimology of Trafficking Survivors,” which will be geared toward law enforcement personnel and professionals in related fields.
The agency’s Things Aren’t Always What You See campaign wraps up with a second screening of the Surviving Sex Trafficking documentary, this time at the Baker Pattillo Student Center theater on the Stephen F. Austin State University campus on Jan. 31.
Directed by and featuring award-winning filmmaker Jain monk Sadhvi Siddhali Shree, the documentary follows the journey of three trafficking survivors, their conversations with other victims and trips to women’s shelters around the world.
It’s an intimate look at how the survivors escaped, learned to survive and how they continue to grapple with repressed trauma from the horrific events they experienced. Doors open at 5 p.m. and the program begins at 6 p.m. Concessions will be available.
“The goal of this campaign is to raise public awareness about the problem of human trafficking in our community, bring to light the plight of trafficking victims, and promote the availability of resources and support services for those in need in the East Texas area and beyond,” said Burran.
All of the events are free and open to the public, except the training, which requires preregistration. Contact Melissa Wheeler at 936-639-1681 for more information on the training.
If you or someone you know is the victim of human trafficking, call the Family Crisis Center hotline 24 hours a day 7 days a week for free and confidential help, 1-800-828-7233 or send a text to 936-5529256.