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!

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!

 

College Students Life During Covid-19

 

Mental 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. 

“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.

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.

Friday Motivation

Think 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:

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?

Mental Health Day

Take care of your mental health. It is important to be kind to yourself. Spend time with supportive people: family and friends. Seek professional help if life becomes challenging. Get outside for walks, cycling and hiking. Eat nutritional and well-balanced meals, get plenty of sleep and volunteer in meaningful activities. Be mindful of the effects of Covid-19.

The Breast Cancer Awareness Month, marked in countries across the world every October, helps to increase attention and support for the awareness, early detection and treatment of this disease.

 

The earlier breast cancer is diagnosed, the better the chance of successful treatment. So it's important to check your breasts regularly and see your GP if you notice a change.

Common breast cancer signs and symptoms include:

How Can I Lower My Risk?