Human Trafficking Awareness 2022

by | Jan 13, 2022 | Current Affairs, Human Trafficking, Leadership, Serving, The Church | 2 comments

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In 2016 I learned that children in my community were being bought and sold for sex, and women (and men) were being exploited. Since then, I have joined an ever-growing community of folks who are combatting the problem on every level possible.

I had the privilege of joining our wonderful law enforcement leaders, our mayor and great nonprofit leaders at our annual 5 Stones Anti-trafficking Taskforce press conference. The purpose of the press conference is to launch our Trafficking Starts Here (#TraffickingStartsHere) billboard and media campaign in North Texas.

The Lord gave us a vision in 2018 and that vision is a reality that is spreading across the country. Communities are forming taskforce groups and running their own campaigns.

What is missing?

You!

Join us or launch something in your community.

Below are photos from the 5 Stones Taskforce press conference and links to posts I’ve written about my experiences domestically and in Iraq.

Photos from the Jan. 11, 2022 Press Conference

Posts I’ve written, resources and websites

Post: Human Trafficking – Rescue them from evil – Prayer in 3D
Post: Iraq: How did I get here?
Post: Welcome to Iraq dude – A wild ride
Resource Page: Church Engagement – How the Local Church Can Combat Human Trafficking

Websites:
5 Stones Anti-trafficking Taskforce
5 Stones Foundation
TraffickingStartsHere

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Video: Lance Cashion – How the Local Church Can Combat Human Trafficking

by | Oct 28, 2020 | Culture, Education, Human Trafficking, The Church, Video, Webcasts, Wisdom

Church Engagement – How the Local Church Can Combat Human Trafficking

October 27, 2020 Presentation to the 5 Stones Anti-Trafficking Taskforce

This presentation is a live Zoom Webinar recording covering the problem of human trafficking in the U.S. and locally in Fort Worth, Texas. I discuss how the local church can build relationships with local law enforcement and nonprofits in order to collaborate. The local church is uniquely positioned in the community to combat human trafficking.

YouTube link to presentation here…

My Human Trafficking Resource page here…

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Presentation: How the local church can combat human trafficking (October 27, 2020)

by | Oct 19, 2020 | Child Exploitation, Christianity, Encouragement, Human Trafficking, Webcasts

Church Engagement: How the local church can combat human trafficking (October 27, 2020)

You are invited to join me online! I will be giving a live webcast presentation for the 5 Stones Anti-Trafficking Taskforce.

Topic: Church Engagement – How The Local Church Can Combat Human Trafficking

Date: Tuesday, October 27, 2020
Time: 11:00am-11:45am (central)
Format: Zoom Webinar
Register Here…

This webcast is open to everyone. You can register and add to your calendar.

I’ve spent the better part of 5 years of my life and ministry combatting human trafficking, deploying volunteers and resources into the battle. It all began with a meeting when I learned children were being bought and sold in my community. I started at zero, thinking that trafficking happened in some far off land – not here – not in my city. I was so wrong. Since that faithful meeting, I’ve visited Iraq to meet Yazidis rescued from ISIS, we’ve assisted local law enforcement, the Texas Governor’s office and White House. This is all God’s doing because I’m just some pastor who had my heart broken for what breaks God’s heart.

I joined the 5 Stones Taskforce and by God’s grace, my church followed en masse. We prayed and God raised up leaders who stepped up in every way imaginable. In addition, the church was enabled to provide funding and support for nonprofits and agencies. Five years later, our anti-trafficking ministry is one of the largest outreach ministries at our church.

I’m convinced that the Church is the solution to trafficking. Only the church can handle this type of darkness. We follow in the footsteps of William Wilberforce, Bonhoeffer and others. Now is the time to allow the unbelieving world see the fullness of the Gospel of the Kingdom manifested as we go after “the one.”

On the webcast, I will share with you how we (the local church) can combat human trafficking.

I promise you will be encouraged and equipped to take a small step to combat trafficking in YOUR community.

Won’t you join me?

Click here to register

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PSA: How Deep Fake (AI) could turn your child’s photos into virtual porn

PSA: How Deep Fake (AI) could turn your child’s photos into virtual porn

by | Sep 18, 2019 | Child Exploitation, Culture, Education, Online Safety, Parenting, Wisdom

Can I have your undivided attention for 8 minutes?

‘Deepfake’ AI (Artificial Intelligence) technology is a powerful technology and it’s on the rise. Rather than trying to explain the technology, click play on the video below. This technology enables one to superimpose actor Tom Cruise’s face onto comedian, Bill Hader’s body. It is downright creepy.

The Situation

Having viewed the video above, imagine the face of your child superimposed on to someone else’s body using AI technology.  The scenes are made against their will and beyond your knowledge for the benefit of those who exploit and harm children.  DeepFake AI technology can be used to create images and videos by those who wish to bully, blackmail, exploit, entrap, or groom our children.  This is the worst kind of identity theft.

The Reality

Artificial Intelligence commonly referred to as ‘AI’ is quickly transforming from a sci-fi fantasy into a current reality.  It will impact every human-being on the planet.  AI is a powerful technological tool. Will it be for good or evil, for benefit or detriment?  We don’t know yet.  However, law enforcement is concerned, the Federal Government is concerned, nonprofits and NGOs are concerned.  Should parents be concerned?  The answer is ‘yes!’

Proper Concern

As many of you know, I advocate for internet safety and vigilance when dealing with these new forms of technology. In particular, understanding how our children (minors) interface with smartphones, internet capable devices and social media is vital.  In addition, we must understand and address their vulnerabilities and our responsibilities on an ongoing basis.  We must understand threats and risks of offering this powerful communication portal into their lives to early for the wrong reasons.  These technologies are changing us as humans.  But, that discussion is for another time.

My family practices internet safety by limiting where my wife and I post photos of our children on Social Media. We ask the same of the rest of our family.  In doing so, we raise awareness of the risks in our community.

Addressing Risks

Having served for 3 years on the leadership team of the 5 Stones Anti-Trafficking Taskforce under the Ft. Worth Police Department, I am well versed in the child exploitation and trafficking space. Smartphones, unlimited internet access and Social Media platforms can be a risky if not deadly for our children. If this frightens you, it should. I’ve seen dozens of cases where children are being exploited online by bullies and pimps. The children come from every demographic, ethnicity, socioeconomic sphere, all ages and every neighborhood.  Exploitation is not limited by borders or wealth (see Jeffery Epstein or visit your local law enforcement officer).  We know the risks of sharing data and photos online.  We know the risks of devices in the hands of children.  Heck, I have a hard time putting down my smartphone.

We need a paradigm shift in our thinking.  Parents must lock arms and unite against technology’s ability to allure our children (and us).

Accurate Perspective

Imagine posting a public photo of your child the same way you see an advertisement on a public billboard. You are putting your prize possession on display for the world to see. With the current advances in AI technology (DeepFake), someone you don’t even know can transform an innocent image of YOUR child into a degrading and disgusting pornographic film by superimposing your child’s face onto a video image. By the time you discover the exploitation, its too late. Thousands of perverts, traffickers, sex-buyers and criminals will have viewed the video. Videos spread on the dark web and in private chat rooms where they are bought and sold. There is nothing you can do except prepare to deal with your child’s lifelong trauma.

Imagine your child on an auction block to be sold.  In short, this is happening on the dark web and social media sites.  But, you can mitigate the risks.  You are the solution.  You can be a hero for your child.  It will require GRIT and discipline on your part as you talk with your children and partner with them as they grow older and demonstrate responsibility. Encourage them to lead in the family and school.

Solutions: Be Vigilant not afraid

  • Be aware of what you post online.
  • Be careful to post using proper privacy settings when using Social Media.
  • Use internet filters and monitors on your child’s devices for school and home use
  • Consider delaying giving your child a personal smartphone  until 16-17yrs old (depending on their maturity and responsibility).
  • Here are other devices that can be used for safety until they reach age of responsibility
  • Older Kids: The child pays for the phone (responsibility), the parents control the data plan (accountability).
  • Never allow a minor child to be on the internet alone, at night in their rooms.
  • Know the access code to your child’s devices and perform random searches with their full knowledge. Talk about it.
  • Talk to them about the dangers of exploitations.
  • I-Empathize curriculum for 12 and over: www.iempathize.org
  • Model healthy interactions and teach them the warning signs of online grooming and exploitation
  • Gather like-minded community to get trained in online safety: Local Law Enforcement and DHS often have trainings
  • This is what our community did to start the conversation: www.traffickingstartshere.com
  • Learn how pornography affects the brain, the heart and world: www.fightthenewdrug.org
  • Need further help – feel free to contact me or comment below

 

Additional Resources:

TECHNOLOGY AND CHILDREN
TECHNOLOGY AND CHRISTIANITY

TECHNOLOGY AND AI NEWS:

Read previous post: Swimming into your Future
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Iraq: How did I get here?

Iraq: How did I get here?

by | Jan 13, 2019 | Adventures, God, Human Trafficking, Mission Trips, Prayer | 6 comments

The this is a continuation of a previous story, you can read the first part here ….

It’s the end of August and I am sitting cross-legged on a rug in a refugee camp in Northern Iraq (Kurdistan). A girl politely places a glass in front of me containing very strong piping hot tea loaded with too much sugar. I can’t understand the quiet conversations going on around me as our team and our hosts settle into their spots on the rug along the dark walls of the tent. The inside of the tent is a cool oasis from the scorching 109F heat of the day. As if on cue, everyone begins stirring their tiny teas with tiny spoons. Everyone smiles at one another as a strange symphony of chiming metal against delicate glass fills the space. I don’t know our hosts except from reading about them but I feel quite welcome.

I am seated across the tent from a group of shy but seemingly contented Yazidi women and girls recently rescued from the Islamic State terror group (ISIS). ISIS terrorists are masters of human trafficking among other evils. Women and girls are stolen from their homes and sold as sex slaves. The boys are turned into child soldiers, suicide bombers or simply discarded. A few months ago, these women and girls were experiencing horrors beyond the bounds of human comprehension. Just thinking about what they’ve undergone is more than enough to break your heart and mind. But, they are survivors and resilient.

The epicenter of something massive on a global scale

Its difficult to fathom exactly how I got here. Yes, I flew from Dallas-Fort Worth to Frankfurt, Germany to Erbil, Iraq then drove north for a few hours. But, thousands of tiny threads converged to arrive at this moment. This is the epicenter of something massive on a global scale.

Two years prior, on a chilly morning I was invited to a meeting with the Fort Worth Police Department to address the sex-trafficking epidemic in Fort Worth. This small group of loosely affiliated agencies and non-profits were trying to get their heads around the problem. We were pressented with cases where little girls were being bought and sold for sex in my city, I was in a state of shock. The police department was overwhelmed. Local government was in disbelief and I’m considering vigilante justice.

Fast-forward a year. I’m now deeply involved in a taskforce combatting human trafficking in North Texas. The tiny group has grown to over 50 agencies, non-profits and departments. Over previous 12 months, I’ve made connections across the country with leaders and agencies dealing with the issues of human trafficking.

The Threat

One Thursday evening, I’m preparing to leave my office when I get a call from a woman in our church who is in a US city that will remain unnamed. She’s a part of our anti-trafficking community, she’s a friend and she’s attempting to rescue a girl and her infant baby from her trafficker.

I hear fear in her voice. She’s at an airport with the victim, the victim’s baby and another woman assisting the rescue. The trafficker is part of an organized gang, very dangerous and issues an ultimatum to the victim; “Be at my house by 11pm or I’ll kill you.”

I’m sitting in my office in Fort Worth 8 hours away staring at a clock on my laptop screen edging closer to 6pm. The victim can’t board a plane because her trafficker has confiscated her ID. The women can’t leave the airport because he may have people looking for her. Local law enforcement cannot be trusted and hospitals are not geared up for this type of situation – they will just call the police. She can’t go to her parents because one of them sexually abused her for years. The three women and baby are stuck. They begin to panic.

I begin thinking and praying through the situation. The safest place at this point is the airport. But, they can’t stay there all night without raising suspicion of airport security.

From my office, we make a plan to get them to the airport hotel and into adjoining rooms. One room is for guests with physical disabilities. That way, they would be near an elevator and they could activate emergency devices in the room to call for help. They could flee to the adjoining room if necessary. Our plan was a tiny bandaid on a massive problem. They didn’t know if they were followed. The victim will be going through withdrawals from Oxycotin soon (her trafficker keeps her doped up in order to control her). She will need medical attention and aftercare to stabilize her from years of trauma. The baby will need formula and fresh diapers.

I’m thinking, “What the heck are we going to do? I have a friend in a potentially deadly situation and I have no way to help.” It’s now approaching 9pm. I’ve called everyone I know with access to aircraft. I considered renting them a car but then they would be driving for several hours without protection. I’m out of ideas. My assistant and I are staring at Google maps and the clock. We were both praying. This situation is far beyond our abilities or experience. We’re in way over our heads.

Then it hit me, “Wait a second! I know someone who knows a guy who deals with this type of situation!” I made a phone call and we prayed. “Lord, help them, help them …” That is about all we could pray at this point. We sit and stare at the clock. Nothing is happening. Minutes are rolling by. Still nothing.

The Call

Finally, I get the call I’ve been waiting for. First thing in the morning, a private plane will be dispatched to a small municipal airport outside the city. In the meantime, a retired US Special Forces guy will be parked at the hotel to keep watch over the sleeping girls. Like clockwork, the next morning (Friday) a plane arrives and the security team bring the victim, her baby, my friend and another young woman back to Fort Worth safely.

On Sunday, the victim (now trafficking survivor) is receiving care in a local facility and her infant girl is at our church for Sunday Services (in the caring arms of a young woman who agreed to babysit while her mom received treatment). When I got word the baby was on campus I knew I was walking under the gentle rain of answered prayer. Incredible!

There are people in our world willing to risk their lives to rescue forgotten women and children from evil and walk with them toward restoration. I had to learn more and God opened the door for me to do just that… I will take you on that journey.

To be continued…

Read previous post: Welcome to Iraq dude – A wild ride
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