November 30, 2011
Christin Coyne
How much of an issue is human trafficking in Parker County and what can the community do about it are two of the issues Freedom House of Parker County, known for its support of victims of family violence and sexual assault, is beginning to dig into.
Freedom House established a human trafficking outreach program in October to help victims of modern day slavery.
Morgan Eddy, human trafficking program coordinator with Freedom House, said she has been giving presentations to groups and wants to raise awareness of the issue locally.
They hope to let the county know what human trafficking is so the community can be an extra set of eyes for what may be going on, Eddy said.
Freedom House was approached by Mosaic Family Services in Dallas earlier this year when the Dallas organization was applying for a grant, according to Freedom House executive director Catherine Tietjen. The Weatherford area was identified because of its proximity to Interstate 20, believed to be a major human trafficking corridor.
How much of an issue human trafficking is in Parker County remains to be seen, thoughFreedom House has been approached by more than one victim, Tietjen said, adding “It’s an issue everywhere.”
Victims can come from a variety of places - from another country or inside the United States - and are often targeted because of their vulnerability, such as runaways, those entering the country illegally or those with a language barrier, according to Eddy.
Men, women and children can be exploited for commercial sex or labor purposes ranging from agricultural work to domestic servitude, Eddy said.
Victims of human trafficking are controlled by a variety of means, including financial indebtedness, threats against their person or family or threats of deportation.
In October, an assistant basketball coach and teacher in Lewisville was charged with human trafficking. Police allege he forced a 16-year-old student from Mexico to work selling gourmet popcorn while the boy’s parents paid $300 a month for the boy to live with him.
In addition to providing education to the community about the hidden crime, Tietjen said the organization can provide a service for victims.
Like dealing with family violence or other issues, their goal is victim centered, she said.
They provide safety services to help victims get out of that situation, and if they can’t help, they can often connect victims with organizations that provide things like legal aid, Tietjen said.
A couple of people have already reached out to the organization, Tietjen said.
Freedom House established a human trafficking outreach program in October to help victims of modern day slavery.
Morgan Eddy, human trafficking program coordinator with Freedom House, said she has been giving presentations to groups and wants to raise awareness of the issue locally.
They hope to let the county know what human trafficking is so the community can be an extra set of eyes for what may be going on, Eddy said.
Freedom House was approached by Mosaic Family Services in Dallas earlier this year when the Dallas organization was applying for a grant, according to Freedom House executive director Catherine Tietjen. The Weatherford area was identified because of its proximity to Interstate 20, believed to be a major human trafficking corridor.
How much of an issue human trafficking is in Parker County remains to be seen, thoughFreedom House has been approached by more than one victim, Tietjen said, adding “It’s an issue everywhere.”
Victims can come from a variety of places - from another country or inside the United States - and are often targeted because of their vulnerability, such as runaways, those entering the country illegally or those with a language barrier, according to Eddy.
Men, women and children can be exploited for commercial sex or labor purposes ranging from agricultural work to domestic servitude, Eddy said.
Victims of human trafficking are controlled by a variety of means, including financial indebtedness, threats against their person or family or threats of deportation.
In October, an assistant basketball coach and teacher in Lewisville was charged with human trafficking. Police allege he forced a 16-year-old student from Mexico to work selling gourmet popcorn while the boy’s parents paid $300 a month for the boy to live with him.
In addition to providing education to the community about the hidden crime, Tietjen said the organization can provide a service for victims.
Like dealing with family violence or other issues, their goal is victim centered, she said.
They provide safety services to help victims get out of that situation, and if they can’t help, they can often connect victims with organizations that provide things like legal aid, Tietjen said.
A couple of people have already reached out to the organization, Tietjen said.
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