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Freeman Consulting Group
Blog
Human Trafficking: The Romeo Pimp
| Posted on November 14, 2020 at 11:07 AM |
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 Human Trafficking“I thought he loved me and then he sold me.” -Romeo Pimp Survivor Human trafficking is the fastest-growing criminal activity
in the world. The term refers to a bevy of acts that includes both forced labor
and sexual exploitation. Many people think of the movie “Taken” when they think
of young girls being sex trafficked. More than 100,000 children a year are
forced into the sex trade, but this isn’t because of a massive kidnapping
organization. Instead, it is because pimps now have easy access to children
through the internet and cell phones. One of the ways traffickers target girls
and young women is through romantic relationships, both online and in person.
These types of traffickers are often referred to as Romeo Pimps. The Carlson Law Firm May 4, 2020 What is a Romeo Pimp? Gaining a victim’s trust can occur online or in person. In
both online and in person scenarios, the pimp will promise a better future. If
the victim and the pimp have never met the pimp will use these promises to lure
his victims to his town. Professionals undergo training to respond to human trafficking
victims with shelter and security. Additionally, the can help victims get
access to medical treatment, food, clothing, legal services, counseling, and
other aid. If you are a human sex trafficking victim, or if you know of a
situation of human trafficking, we can help you get assistance and navigate the
legal system. Educate Yourself
Recruiters can be students at your child’s school or parents
of other students looking to make some money. They’ll introduce your child to a
pimp and get paid for bringing in a new girl. It is best that you know your
child’s friends, as well as their families. Perhaps the most telling sign of a Romeo Pimp is an older
guy seeking the affections of your child. Pimps don’t usually kidnap, they
manipulate. The most prevalent form of trafficking is a man in his late teens
or 20s selecting a teenage girl to make her fall in love. These men are
constantly thinking of ways to trick young girls into doing what they want them
to do. You should always be wary of whom your child is dating and thoroughly
investigate them. Even if your child is over 18, he or she is not too old or mature to escape sex trafficking. Yes, it sounds cliche, but these pimps are often able to
brainwash their victims because of self-esteem issues, broken homes or
generally troubled childhoods. While all genders are affected by sex
trafficking, low self-esteem, particularly affects adolescent and teenage girls.
This is exactly why Romeo Pimps prey on this age group. Because of this, it is
important that you reaffirm your child’s self-worth every chance you get. The
best way to combat low self-esteem is to give your child a shield of love.
Reminding your child of her worth will do wonders to protect her from attempts
to lure her into the trafficking web. Additionally, reminding your child that
she is loved and that your home is a safe place will protect her from the
threats of a pimp. Girls who are trafficked are often living in constant fear. Get Involved! |
Thank You For Your Service!
| Posted on November 11, 2020 at 7:41 AM |
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 Lessons from the Field! In honor of the veterans, we salute you and thank you for your service. When we think about our brave men and women,
three things stands out. They are
disciplined, dedicated and determined. Christina Olivera’s states, regardless of the pain, sweat and
tears that come to a soldier to serve and survive in the harshest
circumstances, discipline is what drives him or her forward. Secondly, a soldier is dedicated to serving his or
her country through thick and thin; and finally, a soldier is determined, knowing he has to be focused on the task to get the job done. Lesson Learned from our Military
Change is
inevitable in the military world; vets learn to cope with it and learn from it. We must be willing to change, adjust and move forward as well. Happy Veterans Day! |
Mental Health During Covid-19
| Posted on November 10, 2020 at 2:53 PM |
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 College Students Life During Covid-19Mental Health
is a growing concern among college students in the age of Covid-19. Pay attention to your young adults as
they try to navigate their independence, adhere to COVID-19 guidelines, attend
classes, try to maintain
a social life, and connect with family and friends. As the holiday’s approaches, many students
will have to make tough decisions about going home to families with high risk
conditions. Talk with your son or daughter about
staying safe physically and emotionally. Here
are some signs of depression to look for in friends:
This is a time to seek help. Please encourage them to prioritize their
health. Here are some suggestions parents can encourage their
children to do: a.
Encouraged students to
seek out spiritual outlets to volunteer and worships. b.
Increase the amount of
rest, sleep, and exercise to maintain good health. c.
Stress the need to
maintain a healthy diet, even slightly by eating healthier foods. d.
Decrease substance use. e.
Encourage them to reach
out to others, schedule connection time virtually or safely in person. f.
Reassurance that they (parents)
are there for them as needed. g.
Encourage them to explore
resources for nonprofits that deals with mental health in young adults. |
Wisdom: You are never alone
| Posted on November 8, 2020 at 9:42 AM |
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  Wisdom and Pain “Wisdom is nothing more than healed pain.” –
Robert Gary Lee “Ouch! That hurt.” We’ve all uttered those words in our lives.
Maybe you said it right after a fall, feeling the pinch of an injection, or if
someone said something hurtful. Whatever the cause of your pain, it produced discomfort, and you wanted it to stop. Pain is a universal experience. No creature
on the planet is exempt from feeling it. It’s a biological mechanism that maintains balance in our system, and like an
indicator on a dashboard of a car, it lets us know when something isn’t right. However, many of us don’t see the pain this way.
Instead, we see it as an inconvenience. In the past, when religion and
superstition reigned supreme, pain was seen as a punishment, meted out by the
Gods in response to immoral behavior. Today we see it as some kind of defect
that needs to be fixed or cured. We’re naturally drawn to seek pleasure and avoid pain. It’s encoded in our our reptilian brain. We can all
agree that touching a hot stove or brushing against a sharp object is going to hurt, however, there are some forms of pain that are subjective. Pain can
be interpreted differently on an individual level, both due to different pain
thresholds, and what we personally consider to be pleasure or pain. The majority of us have a low tolerance for
pain, and the forces of capitalism are glad to offer us solutions. Our culture
of ‘painkillers’ offers a plethora of choices to numb our pain such as
antidepressants, alcohol, recreational drugs, sugar and social media. We do use our systems with these instruments of pleasure to escape reality. In her book, When Things Fall
Apart, Buddhist monk Pema Chödrön says, “Most of
us do not take these situations as teachings. We automatically hate them. We
run like crazy. We use all kinds of ways to escape — all addictions stem from
this moment when we meet our edge and we just can’t stand it. We feel we have
to soften it, pad it with something, and we become addicted to whatever it is
that seems to ease the pain.” While quick-fixes work on a temporary basis,
it’s detrimental to our transition into conscious and
evolved beings. When we avoid pain, we are missing the
deeper and enriching experience that’s on offer. The more we resist and push away the pain, the more that we are inviting it to stay. Like a persistent cosmic postman, it won’t
go away until we understand the root cause. Just as light cannot exist without
the dark, the human experience is not complete without moments of sadness. In
fact, I think that life would be rather drab and
predictable if we constantly lived in a utopia,
never encountering bends on our path. |
Fearless: The Power of Her
| Posted on November 2, 2020 at 6:00 PM |
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 Fearless The Power of Her Mind, Body and Spirit I sought
the Lord and He answered me and delivered me from
every fear Psalm 34
We had an awesome Zoom Conference on Saturday, October
31, 2020. We had over 60 participants
eager to hear about Breast Cancer, Domestic Violence, Finance, Nutrition and
Covid-19. We had national presenters
from New York, Florida, Georgia, and several cities in North Carolina. We had the Pitt County Health Department Nursing
Director to stress getting the flu shot and to follow the scientific recommendations about the virus. We
heard from Dr. Newton share information about the relationship between Mother
Earth supply of water, sun, the food we grow, our air we breathe. He discussed
vitamins and minerals and the need to add exercise to our day. The audience was encouraged to do monthly breast exams from a nurse diagnosed at age 34
with breast cancer. She shared a very inspiring story. Domestic Violence was discussed, and resources
were shared to get help. Covid-19 was discussed,
and recommendations were shared based on the CDC and the WHO organizations. The conference ended with a discussion about
finances. After the conference, participants
were treated to a nutritious lunch at a nearby restaurant. |
Get off the couch
| Posted on October 24, 2020 at 8:30 AM |
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 Take a Mental Health Break during
Covid-19 Get off the couch and
get moving! In our limited environment due
to Covid, we are limited to where we can go.
We cannot visit our parents, grandchildren, or friends. We are limited in eating out, going to the
gym or the movies. Our jobs are in jeopardy or just gone. Financially, we are operating on a shoestring
budget. While there are many things out of our control, we can control our
response to life circumstances. We can
do some positive self-talk. Be reassured
that we will get through this. We must take care of our physical and mental
health. Things to do: Eat healthy foods. Get plenty of sleep. Exercise by walking,
running, swimming, hiking, gardening, etc. Meditate Take up a hobby or
find one that you enjoy. Listen to some soothing
music. |
Encourage Yourself
| Posted on October 23, 2020 at 11:33 AM |
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 Friday MotivationThink of changing your mindset like you would change a tire. Charge your battery and put some gas in your tank. Life is a journey use your GPS to create your own path. The following quotes can be helpful:
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Hang in there!
| Posted on October 18, 2020 at 12:43 PM |
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 Have you ever felt you were hanging on a limb and you did not know how you got there or how you will get off that limb? To get out of this situation, you have to calm down, breathe slowly, and backtrack. Your super power is to stay calm. You do not have to answer all of life questions at this point such as why me? The immediate goal is get off the limb. 1. Tell yourself that everything is going to be okay. 2. Breathe. 3. Stay focused. 4. Do not look down, around, look up. 5. Slowly take small steps to the base of the limb. 6. Again, stay focus. Listening is very important. Do you hear someone who is supportive. Someone who can cheer you on while not look down. Just listen to positive words of encouragement. 7. As you descend down, continue to breathe to steady yourself. 8 Continue to do some positive self talk: "Everything is going to be okay." 9. Now put your feet on solid ground. 10.You made it! Now you can access your situation. Do you need professional help, a support group, etc. You decide. What lesson did you learn? |
Hey Black Child
| Posted on October 17, 2020 at 7:35 AM |
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 I Am the Black Child I am special, ridicule cannot sway me I am strong, obstacles cannot stop me I hold my head high, proudly proclaiming my uniqueness I hold my pace, continuing forward through adversity I am proud of my heritage I am confident that I can achieve my every goal. I am becoming all that I can be I am the Black Child, I am a Child of God Mychal Wynn  |
Back to Nature.
| Posted on October 16, 2020 at 7:39 AM |
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 Mindful Breathing Just imagine being in a field of wildflowers, the sun beaming down on your face and you can breathe the glorious fresh air. That's therapy. Get way from the stress of the day. Do some bird watching; follow a butterfly as it dances from flower to flower sucking in the sweet nectar, listen to the sound of a waterfall or water flowing from a rock filled creek. Let your mind wonder to the children playing in a park. Try to remember the childhood games that you played when you were young. That too is therapy. Again, Take in a chest full of air and slowly exhale. Take a slow walk home and smile. Repeat after me, today is going to be a glorious day. Is there a happy song you can sing? Then sing as you return to your day. |
