Central Missouri Stop Human Trafficking Coalition (CMSHTC)

RSVP to [email protected] to get the Zoom link!

Meet our Guest Speaker for tonight's meeting and don't forget to RSVP to [email protected] to get the Zoom link!

This month we continue shining a spotlight on women who are fighting to end #humantrafficking in our community. KAREN MICKEY has been a long-time Victim Advocate for survivors of human trafficking and exploitation in Central Missouri. As a registered nurse, Karen brings a wealth of expertise to the Coalition. She volunteers her time to provide support, coordinate care plans and healthcare needs, provides transportation, and works tirelessly connecting survivors with resources. Karen also serves as a Board Member for many community agencies working to better the lives of the most vulnerable in our community!

We are just TWO days away from our March Community Meeting. Don't forget to RSVP to [email protected] to get the meeting link!

This month we shine a spotlight on women who are fighting to end #humantrafficking in our community! NANETTE WARD has been a warrior fighting against #humantrafficking in Central Missouri for over 14 years. She is the Co-Founder of the Coalition and sits on the Board of numerous agencies collaborating in the fight to end human trafficking. She is also an amazing Victim Advocate, Trainer and Coordinator Extraordinaire! She works long days as a volunteer providing support and connection to victims and survivors of human trafficking and educating communities on how to prevent and end human trafficking and exploitation.

We now have a WHEELCHAIR to help a survivor in a cast thanks to Brenda!We now have a WHEELCHAIR to help a survivor in a cast thanks to Brenda!

We'll continue our focus on legislation this month by taking a look at current laws that criminalize #humantrafficking. Human trafficking, also known as trafficking in persons (TIP), is a crime under federal and international law; it is also a crime in every state in the United States. Federal Anti-Trafficking Law:... The Trafficking Victims Protection Act (TVPA) of 2000 is the first comprehensive federal law to address human trafficking. The law provides a three-pronged approach that includes prevention, protection, and prosecution. Under U.S. federal law, severe forms of trafficking includes both sex trafficking and labor trafficking. You can find the most comprehensive and complete 50-state information in the National Conference of State Legislature's (NCSL) searchable bill tracking databases. Select a topic to find complete bill information. The status of bills listed in the NCSL databases is updated every week. Search by subtopics, year, status (e.g., pending, enacted, to governor, etc.) or enter keywords to identify bills. https://www.ncsl.org//ncsl-50-state-searchable-bill-tracki

If you missed our February Community Meeting you can watch the Zoom recording here: https://youtu.be/ITF0YkAIZX8 Our Guest Speaker was Jennifer Carter Dochler from the Missouri Coalition Against Domestic and Sexual Violance. Our Topic was "Legislation in a Time of Pandemic"... Jennifer discussed several important pieces of legislation - you can review the summary here: https://www.mocadsv.org/Le/January-2021-Legislative-Update/

Meet our newest Board Member Lauren Gladwill!

Sign #4: You're pretty sure that you saw a pimp and his girl. Pimps are human traffickers. Period. If you see it, report it! If you notice that a significantly older man is with someone that appears to be a sex worker, stripper, or escort, chances are that the woman is being trafficked. You're probably looking at a sex trafficking ring.... The more alarming signs of a human trafficking ring involves seeing signs of violence, an overly controlling man, or seeing women with matching tattoos. Need help? 1 (888) 373-7888 National Human Trafficking Hotline SMS: 233733 (Text "HELP" or "INFO") Hours: 24 hours, 7 days a week Languages: English, Spanish and 200 more languages Website: humantraffickinghotline.org

Sign #3: You find out that someone is being paid very little for their labor, is being paid cash under the table, or isn't being paid at all. Though this could just be a sign of a thrifty businessperson trying to pay someone "under the table," or of a person going through an internship, it can also be one of the more insidious signs of a human trafficking ring. Trafficked people are as cheap as they can get in terms of labor because they are literally slaves. ... If you find out that your coworkers are being paid way less than they should be, or are being paid cash under the table, there is at least a chance that they are trafficked. Need help? 1 (888) 373-7888 National Human Trafficking Hotline SMS: 233733 (Text "HELP" or "INFO") Hours: 24 hours, 7 days a week Languages: English, Spanish and 200 more languages Website: humantraffickinghotline.org

This Valentine’s Day we invite you to Share the LVE with Survivors of human trafficking and exploitation. Write a general note of support and encouragement and email it to [email protected] today and we will send it as a Valentine’s Day note to a Survivor!

Sign #2: Someone who works with you has unusual restrictions. At times, owners of legitimate businesses use people who are trafficked to cut costs. This often means that victims will have unusually long hours, be unable to take breaks, or will be told that they cannot talk to other people while they work. A boss who is particularly hard on a certain employee or group of employees could be using a human trafficking ring to supply labor. Look for an employee who stays to him/...herself, doesn't talk with others, is always at work before you arrive and never seems to leave. Don't be afraid to report suspicions to law enforcement! If you see something, say something, it could save a life! Need help? United States: 1 (888) 373-7888 National Human Trafficking Hotline SMS: 233733 (Text "HELP" or "INFO") Hours: 24 hours, 7 days a week Languages: English, Spanish and 200 more languages Website: humantraffickinghotline.org

#WearBlueDay on Monday, January 11 and Win a T-Shirt! January 11 is recognized each year as National Human Trafficking Awareness Day. In recognition of this important day, the Coalition is hosting a special social media event! To raise awareness of #humantrafficking and #wearblueday we invite you to take a selfie wearing blue clothing, share your selfie on our social media Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram along with the #WearBlueDay and #HumanTrafficking hashtags.... Our goal is to get 500 people to post a selfies. Anyone can participate, all you need is a piece of blue clothing! One lucky person from our random drawing will win a t-shirt!

Sign #1: You see someone who seems like a "kept person." Victims of #humantrafficking are not typically allowed to come and go as they please. In many cases, they may also be very scared to talk to people they meet because their traffickers threaten them with violence. In many cases, they may never leave the site of their home or may never be seen without a person next to them. They may also be told to hide when guests arrive, or may seem nervous or even terrified of reveali...ng themselves. This is one of the most obvious signs of a human trafficking ring being active in your community. Sadly, there are more. Don't be afraid to report suspicions to law enforcement! If you see something, say something, it could save a life! Need help? United States: 1 (888) 373-7888 National Human Trafficking Hotline SMS: 233733 (Text "HELP" or "INFO") Hours: 24 hours, 7 days a week Languages: English, Spanish and 200 more languages Website: humantraffickinghotline.org

On December 31, 2020, the White House proclaimed January National Slavery and Human Trafficking Prevention Month and the State of Missouri also proclaimed January as Sex Trafficking Awareness Month. This is a time dedicated to raising awareness, providing education, and taking action to combat this heinous crime. National Human Trafficking Awareness Day is recognized each year on January 11th. In recognition of this important day, we encourage everyone to participate in #WearBlueDay. Join us in bringing awareness to human trafficking on January 11 by wearing blue.

Wide-ranging interview with Ed Williams, board member of Central Missouri Stop Human Trafficking Coalition (CMSHTC), including a personal story and ideas on how... to approach someone you suspect is being trafficked. They've got a event on Zoom TONIGHT. Details in the full interview here: https://bit.ly/2WG00ZN

!! UPDATE !! Our Community Meeting has been MOVED from January 7 to next Thursday, January 14 at 6:00 pm. Stay tuned for additional information and don't forget to RSVP to [email protected] for the meeting link.

Some signs of someone being groomed include: - NEW THINGS: traffickers often shower their victims with gifts like a new phone or clothing. Look for someone with lots of new things out of the blue. Pay close attention if they won't tell you where the new things came from. -ATTITUDE AND BEHAVIOR CHANGE: traffickers do their best to manipulate the feelings and emotions of their victims. They start out being overly nice and slowly transition into aggressive behaviors, leaving the... victim confused and frustrated. Look for someone who is suddenly moody for no apparent reason. - NEW FRIENDS AND DISCONNECTING: A traffickers ultimate goal is to isolate the victim. Traffickers want their victims to feel like they have no one else to turn to as they are forced into trafficking. Look for someone who is hanging out with a new friend group and is distant even when with their close family and friends.

Traffickers target those who are vulnerable and in need. This can be anything from a physical need such as money to an emotional need such as attention. Traffickers makes themselves appear trustworthy to gain their victims' trust before they turn on them. For instance, many traffickers appeal to young women by showering them with romantic attention.

GROOMING is the process traffickers use to control and manipulate someone into human trafficking. Although the specific actions are different, traffickers follow the same steps: - Gain the Victim's Trust - Provide for the Victim's Needs... - Isolate the Victim What should I do if I notice these signs? Don’t wait. Call the National Human Trafficking Hotline (888) 373-7888 immediately if you suspect you or someone around you is being groomed. You’ll be able to talk to a trained professional 24/7 about the next steps you should take.

Human trafficking is a horrific crime. It tears apart communities, destroys lives and fuels criminal activity. January is National Slavery and Human Trafficking Prevention month and Missouri's Human Trafficking Awareness month. January is also a renewed opportunity to shine a light on this crime that happens in plain sight in our community. Join us at our first educational meeting of the New Year this Thursday, January 7th at 6:00pm via Zoom. RSVP to [email protected] to get the Zoom link.

Join us this Thursday, January 7th at 6:00 pm for our Awareness-to-Action Community Meeting. RSVP to [email protected] for the Zoom meeting link.

#CoMoGives was a huge success! Not only did we meet our goal, but your gifts pushed our CoMo Gives total past the $11,000 mark! We are blown away by your generosity. Together, we can ensure that victims and survivors of human trafficking in our community find safety, hope and the resources to rebuild their lives.

GRATEFUL for the overwhelmingly generous CoMoGives 2020 response (we exceeded our goal!) in support of the Coalition and the #survivors of #humantrafficking we serve. More reflections of gratitude, clockwise... GRATEFUL for the many churches giving compassionate help, like The Crossing, collecting resources and making donations, providing meal ministry to survivors recovering from surgery and movers for survivors relocating. ... GRATEFUL for the 13 volunteers, 3 churches and 2 businesses providing a special holiday meal with gifts and live music for survivors. GRATEFUL for the Pemiscot County Deputy driving 45 miles, going outside of his county, 2 volunteers driving 170 miles from Mississippi County, and 2 more volunteers driving 156 miles, all to help a victim who had escaped her trafficker get safely to Boone County. GRATEFUL for survivors receiving support to experience stability, making it possible for them to enjoy the often-taken-for-granted joy of receiving gifts and putting up a Christmas tree in their own home. GRATEFUL for tattoo artist Cyrus designing and doing incredible coverup tattoos for survivors to be rid of the images that branded them as property of their traffickers. GRATEFUL for Twice Blessed, Love Seat and Upscale Resale making coats, shoes and other clothing items available on an emergency basis for newly exited survivors who have very little to nothing, and for all the countless individuals who paid their used clothing forward to help survivors. GRATEFUL for the 20 plus volunteers like Marcia who give support to survivors with rides, emergency purchases, pick-up and deliveries. And GRATEFUL for so much more! ONWARD STRONG into 2021! #endhumantrafficking

https://comogives.com//stop-human-trafficking-coalition-o/

We are down to the last hour of our 2020 #CoMoGives Campaign...with your donation we can serve more victims of human trafficking in our community. Providing safe shelter, food, warm clothing, medical care, trauma therapy and counseling and most importantly ... a path to a better life. https://comogives.com//stop-human-trafficking-coalition-o/

Help us provide essential services to victims and survivors of #humantrafficking with a donation before midnight! https://comogives.com//stop-human-trafficking-coalition-o/

As we prepare to welcome a new year, we know there’s still much more to be done and in 2021, we’ll be digging our heels in even deeper to serve more victims and survivors of #humantrafficking and educate our communities on how to identify and respond to human trafficking and exploitation. Your year-end gift will help survivors rebuild their lives. https://comogives.com//stop-human-trafficking-coalition-o/

New Year’s Eve at a local grocery store with a newly exited survivor of #sextrafficking, getting some items for her safe stay in temporary lodging. She says... This is really weird being in a store getting things I like to eat. But you make it easy for me. For once in my life I’m at a loss for words. Thank you. Thank YOU #CoMoGives 2020 Supporters for making these simple but transformational moments possible. https://comogives.com//stop-human-trafficking-coalition-o/

The Countdown is on! Just 5 hours left in our #CoMoGives Campaign.....don't forget to donate! #SupportSurvivors https://comogives.com//stop-human-trafficking-coalition-o/

Trafficking is still a tragic reality adults and children are still in urgent need of help, restoration, and justice. Our strategies for compassionate response really do work. Lives are being transformed, just listen to one survivor describe her journey: https://youtu.be/RYxInTW5q7w Today, you and I have an opportunity to make an impact. Please consider a donation before #CoMoGives ends at midnight tonight. https://comogives.com//stop-human-trafficking-coalition-o/

We are so grateful for the support you’ve already given the lives you’ve already touched and changed, by the power of your generosity and love especially this year, in the face of unprecedented challenges.... Let's keep the momentum going so we can do even MORE good work in 2021! https://comogives.com//stop-human-trafficking-coalition-o/

This is it! The deadline for our 2020 #CoMoGives fundraiser is almost here.....midnight tonight. We have come a long way but we aren't there yet. Can you help us? https://comogives.com//stop-human-trafficking-coalition-o/

TODAY IS THE LAST DAY! #CoMoGives ends tonight at midnight and we are SO close to our fundraising goal.....can you help us? https://comogives.com//stop-human-trafficking-coalition-o/

YOU....ARE...AMAZING! We are only $995 away from our NEW goal of raising $10,000 and we're SOOO close because of YOU! Your support means the world to victims and survivors of human trafficking in our community. https://comogives.com//stop-human-trafficking-coalition-o/

Make a lasting impact on the lives of #humantrafficking victims with a donation today! https://comogives.com//stop-human-trafficking-coalition-o/

TODAY...AND...TOMORROW...AND THAT'S IT! Can you help us reach our goal of raising $10,000? We are ONLY $995 away! It's not too late to impact the lives of #humantrafficking survivors. https://comogives.com//stop-human-trafficking-coalition-o/

Nanette was a recent guest on the Podcast - Acta Non Verba with Marcus Aurelius Anderson. Nanette shares the impact that human trafficking is having on our culture and how we can identify the signs that it’s happening around us, as well as what to do about it. https://podcasts.apple.com//nanette-ward-war/id1531794099 If you'd like to support our work with victims of #humantrafficking please consider making a donation today. We are only $995 away from our goal of raising ...$10,000! https://comogives.com//stop-human-trafficking-coalition-o/

You have made it possible for 55 victims of human trafficking to be admitted to safety and begin their journey to recovery. You have helped them realize their life is worth living. But there are more trafficking survivors still in need. Victims who still urgently need intervention and restoration. So I hope that you will give a generous year-end gift of compassion today to help us reach them before it’s too late to give them the beautiful gift of home, of safety, of ...hope. We’ve made progress toward our $10,000 goal, but we’re not there yet, and time is running out. Please be generous. Your final gift of 2020 will bring hope, healing, and restoration to survivors. https://comogives.com//stop-human-trafficking-coalition-o/

Christmas has come and gone, but your gift to the Coalition is the gift that keeps giving! Just two days remain in 2020. Don't miss your chance to make a tax-deductible gift before the end of 2020. Help us reach our NEW goal of $10,000 by donating today! https://comogives.com//stop-human-trafficking-coalition-o/... We are only $1,545 away from our goal.

Want to end the year by making a difference? When you support the Coalition's work providing services to victims of human trafficking in our the community, you do just that by contributing to our impact. There are only TWO days left of #CoMoGives, an annual online fundraiser that supports 142 nonprofits in Columbia and Mid-Missouri. We hope you consider making a donation today. https://comogives.com//stop-human-trafficking-coalition-o/

Join Carl Edwards, Columbia, MO native and former #NASCAR driver, to support the Coalition and its work providing services to survivors of #humantrafficking in our community! Hear from Carl here: https://youtu.be/eAfSOY0LrfY We are only $1,565 away from our NEW goal of $10,000! Can you help us? https://comogives.com//stop-human-trafficking-coalition-o/... #EndHumanTrafficking See more

Happy Kwanzaa December 26-January 1st. Tonight is when the second candle is lit to observe the principle of Kujichagulia, or self-determination. The Coalition recognizes the right of each survivor to self-determination. In the transition from trafficked victim to being free from exploitation, we understand the importance of giving them choices and treating them with the utmost dignity and respect. Giving them choices affords them the opportunity to regain control over thei...r lives. It often starts with the simple act of choosing their food items at the grocery store. What do they like? What do they want to cook? We have witnessed their transformation and excitement during this very basic activity that most of us take for granted. Imagine not having control over what and when you eat. Or even IF you eat. One newly-exited survivor shared how her head was covered when taken to the store and then the trafficker would be waiting in the car while she was inside for whatever she was instructed to get. And then imagine the freedom of being in a store selecting what you want to eat. It may be cause for being overwhelmed or near-dancing in the aisles. We have seen both! #selfdetermination

It may be cold outside, but with your support, our survivors have a safe and warm place to stay. Can you help us reach our NEW goal of $10,000 by making a donation today? https://comogives.com//stop-human-trafficking-coalition-o/

We hope your day is joyful!

Have a wonderful holiday!

Twas the night before Christmas... A newly exited survivor is on her way from Missouri out of state to visit her children for Christmas. She hasn’t seen them for over a year. Helpers were contacted by the Coalition as she started her trip to meet her to assist with food and gas. They arrived within minutes of being called. She was first referred by law enforcement. A Coalition advocate was contacted and stayed on the phone with her while being transported to safety. Once sa...fe, she was able to imagine visiting her children for Christmas, and now she is heading to see them. Offering safety allows for the possibility of trust, and trust opens up the possibility of different choices and ways to move forward. We do not take trust for granted. We know it takes a great deal for a victim to trust us. When we offer safety, basic provisions, and genuine concern, we do so with the spirit of care and compassion coming from an army of people like yourselves who support our work and care deeply about them. I believe they sense that. That they are finally not alone in their struggle. That there is hope. Thank you all for being on this journey with us, one victim at a time, once survivor at a time, one life at a time. See more

Merry Christmas Eve!

Perhaps your Christmas Eve traditions include a donation to support survivors of human trafficking in our community? https://comogives.com//stop-human-trafficking-coalition-o/

If you and your family travel for the holidays, we hope you get there safely. When you support the Coalition, you support getting a survivor home safely. https://comogives.com//stop-human-trafficking-coalition-o/

Have you ever thought about how you would get to work without a car? How you could pay for a car without a job? How you could get a job without an ID? This is the dilemma many survivors face in the first few weeks of freedom. But with your support, we are able to provide transportation for survivors to get an ID, get to job interviews, get food, apply for assistance with other agencies and so much more! https://comogives.com//stop-human-trafficking-coalition-o/

WOW! Our Community is simply amazing! We have exceeded our #CoMoGives goal and we still have 9 days left in December. Let's not stop here! Can you help us get to $10,000 by the end of the month? https://comogives.com//stop-human-trafficking-coalition-o/

We wanted to share with you one survivor's story of how she became a victim of human trafficking and how Nanette, our Co-Founder, and the Coalition has helped her get to safety and find stability. Please take a couple minutes and watch one survivor's story: https://youtu.be/mHoJwV4ap14 All too often, this is how trafficking starts...if you're moved by her story please consider a donation today to help other survivors find safety and stability. https://comogives.com//stop-human-trafficking-coalition-o/

GIVE JOY TO YOUR LOVED ONE AND SUPPORT SURVIVORS IN OUR CARE WITH A BEAUTIFUL PIECE OF ART! Whether it's simply finding the right gift for those that are hard to shop for or if you're just out of time, we've got your back! Purchase one of the many beautiful pieces of art from the art gallery and we'll send the recipient the holiday e-card below to notify them that your gift is on the way! Visit the Art Gallery Here: tiny.cc/artforacause... It's a great way to find that last minute gift and support the Coalition!

Don't just hope or want to make a difference. Plan to. Make a donation today. https://comogives.com//stop-human-trafficking-coalition-o/

Transportation is one of many services we provide to survivors completely free! It's also one of the things that makes the Coalition so unique. Appointments, grocery shopping, everything is more difficult if you don't have a way to get there. For survivors of human trafficking, bus schedules can be hard to understand and routes can be far from intended destinations so we provide transportation for our survivors. Grocery shopping? Appointments? Job Interviews? We cover it all and so much more. https://comogives.com//stop-human-trafficking-coalition-o/

Dr. Jalali and his team at Advanced Vision are wonderful partners in a survivor's journey toward wholeness. They don't just provide a service, they provide compassionate care and truly understand the different needs victims of human trafficking have.

It is truly amazing to see this community come together in support of our survivors! We are so close to our meeting our overall goal, and there's still time to donate today! https://comogives.com//stop-human-trafficking-coalition-o/