1 Year Anniversary of AbolitionistJB: A year in review

Yesterday, February 12th, marked the one year anniversary of AbolitionistJB. It was one year ago that my wife came across the website www.love146.org and I started researching about human trafficking. You can read more about this in, How I Started my Abolitionist Journey.

With your help and support, here is what we have accomplished in this first year.

1. Helped raise over $22,000 in funds for anti-trafficking non-profit organizations, such as Free Generation International.
   
2. Over 49,900 page views to AbolitionistJB posts.
3. Add 20,313 Twitter followers.
   
4. Add 550 Facebook likes.
5. Write 156 posts regarding human trafficking
   
6. Sign and help promote 348 petitions through Change.org. These petitions helped pass new legislation, change corporate policies and raise awareness regarding human trafficking.
7. Attend the 2010 Freedom Awards produced by Free the Slaves. This was a great event in which I was able to interview the Freedom Award winners and a number of celebrities about their efforts to combat slavery.
8. Became the Dallas Human Trafficking Examiner for the examiner.com in October 2010.
9. Began writing the book, Swan Slave, which will hopefully be available in November 2011.
   
10. Provide social media support and awareness for various NGO campaigns by Not For Sale, IJM, Love146, Free Generation, Free the Slaves, Somaly Mam, Aaron Cohen, Change.org, EcpatUSA, Mosaic, CAST, Truckers Against Trafficking, Tassa Tags and many others. These groups do so much good work, I can't say enough about them. I invite everyone to support them with whatever talents and means you have available.
    

Everyday I receive messages via Twitter, Facebook and email from people who have found this site and want to help. This gives me hope for the future. What has been accomplished through AbolitionistJB this past year is just a small drop in the bucket. As more people join the cause for freedom, WE CAN end modern slavery and the suffering of millions around the world.

THE TABLE LIFT MAGIC TRICK
Let me illustrate this with an example I like to use when public speaking. I invite you to try it sometime with a group of people.

Step 1: Take a large table and have someone lie down on their back on the table. I like to ask the audience who thinks they are the tallest, biggest, strongest man in the room. I then pick the beefiest guy and ask him to lie on the table. I tell everyone we are going to do a little magic trick. Step 2: I invite another volunteer up to the front and ask them to help me lift the table off the ground. The catch is we can each only use 1 finger to lift.

Step 3: Obviously, we won't be able to accomplish the feat. Then I invite 2, then 5, then 10+ other volunteers to surround the table and lift with just 1 finger. Amazingly, even with a 300lbs. plus guy on the table, we are always able to lift him and the table high in the air.

The man on the table represents the goal we are trying to achieve, which in this case is ending slavery. This model is very much the same model we must use as we work to combat human trafficking. We need more help. We need the talents, support and means of every willing body to end modern slavery for good. If we all work together, we can end modern slavery by 2035, just as Kevin Bales speaks about in the video below.



Again, I thank you for all of your support and action in this work. I look forward to another year and hope and pray for the success of freedom for those victimized by slavery. In closing let me share my favorite quote from the Reverend Martin Luther King Jr.

Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter.
- Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.

Thank You,
John Burger
AbolitionistJB





















(Sporting my new TassaTag before a flight.)

Yes Sanders, There is Human Trafficking During the Super Bowl

Today I shared a story about woman who was approached for prostitution during the week of the Super Bowl in Dallas.

In a forum on the Dallas Examiner, a man by the name of Sanders Kauffman basically said that human trafficking during the Super Bowl does not exist. Now having read some of the stuff Sanders writes, I realize his whole goal is shock value and controversy.

Arguing accomplishes nothing, but comments like his need to be stood up to. Trafficking is a reality, if nothing else, these comments need to be stood up to for the thousands of girls and boys being trafficked and pimped out each day.

Sanders Kauffman Comments:

"Evangelicals are coming out of the woodwork, outraged over their belief in human trafficking at the Super Bowl. If you were unaware of the problem, it's because there is none. Dallas has MORE than enough hookers to meet the demand - and some amateurs will likely even go pro just for the show.

There are sex workers being trafficked into the Super Bowl, but they are coming with the Evangelical Republicans' "XXXChurch.com". They are the ones funding the campaign over this non-issue.

They hope to get some money and attention for themselves by warning their fellow Evangelicals (who are *easily* stirred to outrage) that an army of sex slaves are coming to take their children away.

It's important, however, not to take the Republicans marketing stuff too seriously. They don't really mean what they say - they're just doing it for the attention."

In response, here is another story that was shared on this same forum about a young girl that narrowly escaped human trafficking during the Super Bowl in Dallas.

So...THIS PAST WEEKEND... Superbowl 2011 Dallas TX, my friend was standing outside of a 7-11 and saw a young girl crying with no shoes on (in 35 degree weather). She asked her "What was wrong? If she needed help." The young girl went on to explain that she had come to visit her friend who she thought worked at Chili's, but she hadn't seen her in 6 months. Her friend is now turning tricks and making $500 and wanted her to join.

There were 2 men in the car who then wouldn't let her out. She said she had to pee, so she had a reason to get out of the car, but (of course) they told her she could pee in the car. (Nice?) So she managed to escape running barefoot down the street.

The young girl was very distressed and told my friend, " I ain't stupid. I'm not going to do that. I'm not going to prostitute. I have parents. I just thought I was going to visit my friend who I hadn't seen. I didn't know she was doing that." Soooo.....I'm pretty sure my friend is a democrat, does that make her a reliable resource? If my friend can meet someone 5 minutes out of escaping a human trafficking situation in Dallas on Superbowl weekend at the 7-11......

Also, here are some links to previous posts I and others have written. I ask people to do their own research as well.

http://www.examiner.com/human-trafficking-in-dallas/human-trafficking-and-the-super-bowl
http://www.sharedhope.org/Portals/0/Documents/Dallas_PrinterFriendly.pdf
http://news.change.org/stories/the-results-are-in-sex-trafficking-at-the-superbowl

Human trafficking is a reality here in the United States and it occurs 24/7 outside of Super Bowl week. As much as this saddens me, I am glad so much attention has been raised from the super bowl. As Tina Frundt, a former sex trafficking survivor and 2010 Frederick Douglass Award winner told me in an interview...

Q: What is the biggest challenge you face with the work you are doing?

A: To be honest with you, the biggest challenge that we face at Courtney's House is convincing people that slavery exists inside the United States. We think overseas immediately when we think about trafficking, but we don't think about the 250,000 children trafficked within the United States. So that's the biggest challenge we have come across, letting people know that it's happening here.

I was asked to be a prostitute during the Super Bowl

I read this story yesterday and asked permission to repost it here. The girl, who we will call Retail Princess to protect her name, was approached at her retail workplace in the Dallas area, just prior to the Super Bowl.

Here is her story.

"It had been any other Monday night at work, pretty slow with the occasional passerby. I had a long day of classes, and came straight to work so it had been tiring. A man came in wearing shades at night and asked me to help him, so I did. I had a really strange feeling in the pit of my stomach, but I tried to ignore it and fake a smile. As I was ringing him up, he took out a stack of 1,000 dollar bills to pay for a simple 20 bucks. My co-worker leaned in. "Wow that's a lot of money!" she said. He proceeded to explain how he owned some sort of company and was able to get any kind of tickets he wanted. Good thing I'm a smart girl, and didn't believe a word of it. This man was clearly flashing his cash, why else in gods name would you carry around that much?

He flashed his VIP super bowl pass, and opened his bag to reveal stacks of money which made me very uncomfortable with his shady behavior. " I know I'm twice your age, he chuckled but you are beautiful I must say." I blushed. "Thanks", I stuttered not knowing how to reply. "If you spend a weekend with me, I'll teach you everything you need to know." He flashed the cash again. Give me a call baby he said and handed me a card with his phone number on it. I took it in complete and utter shock. I couldn't believe that man would think I could sleep with him. That he was prepared to pay me to do whatever he wanted just sickened me. I wonder how many pretty young 20 somethings has he attempted to prey on.

My more mature looking friend and co-worker did not get hit on, so I wondered if he had preyed on me for the fact that I look like a wide eyed innocent little girl. I think it attracts sicko's.

He attempted to condition me with his stories of his "success" with the rich and famous light up my eyes at my 8 dollar an hour job. It was just absolutely sick, but I could see right through it.

I'm just a poor Christian girl, who works hard to earn money and I'm proud to say I would never do something like that. It just saddens me that maybe some girl who knows no better would fall for his scheme, that she may end up in a very bad place. I can't report him to the police because technically, he did not do anything wrong, I just wish I could somehow alert them to this creep."

I asked her about the card and if she could have used it to inform the police. "Unfortunately I threw away the mans number," she said. "But if I ever see him again you can bet that I will report him to the police."

Hopefully we can all learn from this experience. Also, I suggest that everyone save the National Human Trafficking Hotline 1-888-3737-888 in your phone. If you ever experience anything like this or see suspicious behavior that may be trafficking, call this hotline. It will be directed to the proper authorities immediately. Usually with a quicker response rate. When in doubt, always dial 911.

NATIONAL HUMAN TRAFFICKING HOTLINE

SAVE IN YOUR PHONE: 1-888-3737-888

http://hubpages.com/hub/I-was-asked-to-be-a-whore-today

Interview with Tina Frundt. Trafficking survivor & 2010 Frederick Douglass Award Winner

Tina Frundt says that no little girl dreams of becoming a sex slave when she grows up. That’s why Tina risks her life in the middle of the night to reach out to teens that are trapped. She knows their pain and fear. “The reason why I’m so compelled to do this work is because I’m a survivor of sex trafficking,” Tina says, “and quite honestly, nobody did this for me.”

It takes Tina just ten seconds to let a sex slave know that someone cares about their plight and can help them escape. She does it on the streets of Washington, D.C. at night. Walking casually along, she hands off a simple trinket that contains a telephone hotline number. It’s a covert encounter, and Tina and her team work hard to blend in so that traffickers won’t become suspicious.

Tina started her own anti-slavery organization with a small inheritance she received when her adoptive mom died in 2008. It’s called Courtney’s House, named for one of her daughters. The group runs the street outreach project and telephone hotline. She opened a first-of-its kind shelter for U.S.-born teenage sex slavery survivors in the Washington metro area. It provides a safe and supportive environment for survivors to begin rebuilding their lives.

It’s difficult for Tina to tell her story in public, but she does so to build awareness that American children are being forced into sex slavery on American soil. She has brought her message to the United Nations and the U.S. Congress.

Tina Frundt, Frederick Douglass Award winner - 2010 Freedom Awards from Free the Slaves on Vimeo.

Here is my interview with Tina Frundt at the 2010 Freedom Awards

Q: How dangerous is the outreach work for you? Are you worried about the pimps recognizing you on the streets?
A: I don't do the direct street outreach anymore. I have a team of 30 women who are wonderful. They go out in groups of 4 no less than 3. I had to stop doing the direct outreach because of too much exposure. So they go and do a wonderful job.

Q: How does one become an outreach worker for your team?

A: It's a 3 tier interview process and a week long training. Everyone has to have background checks and females only go out to do outreach.

Q: What is the biggest challenge you face with the work you are doing?

A: To be honest with you, the biggest challenge that we face at Courtney's House is convincing people that slavery exists inside the United States. We think overseas immediately when we think about trafficking, but we don't think about the 250,000 children trafficked within the United States. So that's the biggest challenge we have come across, letting people know that it's happening here.

Q: What do you see as the biggest opportunity for you?

A: The Freedom Awards, definitely. I am the first U.S. citizen to ever win the award and I think that shows how we have grown and started to recognize the issue within the United States. But more importantly to me I am going to speak on the side of the kids that I work with. Because people are surprised to find that someone actually cares about them and what is going on with them. So I think this has a huge impact on our work.

Q: Can you share any recent successes?

A: Yes, definitely. We just had a new town house donated to us to use for an office and our new drop-in center space. Recently we also had a minivan donated to us for our group home. So I think that really shows people are learning, understanding the issues and trying to give. Because Federal money, I don't get and we need these donations.

Q: I understand your shelter is the first of a kind.

A: Yes, it is. We now have our shelter and drop-in center. Now we can provide housing, but also a place for kids to go for services and help.

Q: You also provide shelter and services for boys that are trafficked, correct?

A: Yes, we work with boys. We are the only organization that works with U.S. citizen boys who are trafficked. We are the only ones in the United States. And I think that's because people don't understand the issue of trafficking with boys. To be honest with you, boys are actually the worst cases. They start younger, they're abused more and that's because they don't speak out because they're boys. It surprises me every day when people say, "Boys are trafficked?" Well boys are abused, why wouldn't they be trafficked?

Q: I recently wrote a blog post about that. A boy was sitting with a man on a flight. A lady noticed things looked out of place. When the man left for the restroom, she asked the boy where they were headed. He thought they were going t a different place than their destination and some things didn't add up. She told the flight attendants and the police were there when the plane landed. Turned out he was being trafficked to Florida and the man was arrested.

A: Yes, it happens with boys. And that's all boys we work with. Ages 11 to 16.

Q: How young have you seen them started or forced into prostitution?

A: Well you see what most people don't understand is that boys start younger. Boys are usually trafficked between the ages of 5 to 10. Many are in the foster care system and homeless. And may I say we also help gay and transgender. I think it's really important for people to understand that.

Q: As I write and learn about various stories of trafficking, modern slavery, I find it can be difficult to stay positive. As a survivor of trafficking yourself, how do you stay positive and focused in your work?

A: I come from a different perspective, being a survivor. I can be honest and tell you that the good thing about me is that I can separate my emotions. The bad thing about me is that I can separate my emotions. So what I focus on is definitely how to help the victim. That's it. If you worry about the story, if you take that on, you are not going to be able to focus on how to help that person. My focus is always how can I help them right now. What can I do right now. Not their story and how horrible their story is, but what can I do to help them get out of their situation right now. And I have to be strong for them, because if I'm crying because of their story then it will disrupt things and they are not going to trust me. They are going to think, you know, that I'm weak. And that's not my motive. My motive is to help them.

Q: How can people get involved and support your work?

A: There are so many ways you can get involved now. Visit our website www.courtneyshouse.org. You can donate there and apply to be a volunteer at Courtney's House. There are tons of different ways that people can help.

Calling all runners...including "Virtual Runners"

WE NEED RUNNERS FOR A GOOD CAUSE!!!

Mosaic Family Services, a Dallas based non-profit organization combating human trafficking and domestic violence, is preparing for their second annual Mosaic in Motion to Stop the Abuse 5K and 1M run. You can participate by running in the event yourself, or you can register as a virtual runner.

Virtual runners get all the benefits, such as a T-shirt and supporting Mosaic's work, but without the need of actually running. Plus, virtual runners can register from anywhere in the country so you don't have to be present in Dallas to run!

Mosaic Family Services is a wonderful local organization that I have written about before. Here are just some of the great things Mosaic accomplished in 2010.

2010 Accomplishments by Mosaic Family Services

• Served over 100 Victims of Human Trafficking.
  
• Provided over 400 immigrant and refugee victims of domestic violence with comprehensive services including counseling and legal representation.
  
• Provided 209 women and children fleeing domestic violence or human trafficking with safe housing.
• Helped 725 newly arrived refugees improve the health of their families and access medical care.
  
• Educated 15,000 individuals in North Texas about domestic violence, human trafficking.
  
  

RACE PROCEEDS
Proceeds will benefit members of our community who are victims of domestic violence and human trafficking in critical need of the services provided by Mosaic Family Services.

REGISTRATION
To Register online: Click Here or download/print brochure and mail with a check made payable to Mosaic Family Services by April 30, 2011 to:

Mosaic Family Services
Attn: Nu Nguyen
4144 N. Central Expressway, Ste. 530
Dallas, TX 75204-2105

FEES (non-refundable)
Early registration by April 30, 2011 - $25
Registration by May 13, 2011 - $30
On-site registration on May 14, 2011 - $35
Youth ages 5-17 - $15
Youth ages 4 and under and four-legged friends are free.
T-shirts will be given to all registered participants at event.

WHEN
Saturday, May 14, 2011
5K 9:00am
1 Mile 9:30am

WHERE
Oak Point Park and Nature Reserve Amphitheater
2801 E. Spring Creek Parkway
Plano, TX 75074

START TIMES (Rain or Shine)
Registration and t-shirt pick up starts at 8:00 AM.
5K Run will start at 9:00 AM.
1 Mile will start at 9:30 AM.

VIRTUAL RUNNER
If you cannot get in Motion on May 14th because you are out of town, have another commitment or if you just want to sleep in on race day, you can still participate! Signup as a Virtual Runner and register your support for Mosaic. As a Virtual Runner, you will still receive a t-shirt to show your valued involvement in this wonderful cause. You can even register the whole family as a Virtual Runner Team and support this great cause. Become a Virtual Runner now!

WHY BE A SPONSOR
We have five (5) levels of Sponsorship that will provide your company with countless publicity, opportunities and recognition. These packages are a unique opportunity to position your company regionally while aligning with a wonderful cause! For more information on Sponsorship or if you want to be a Sponsor to this Cause please CLICK HERE.

Anti-Pimp My Ride Convoy through Dallas Before the Super Bowl

PRINT YOUR FLIERS HERE

What is Anti Pimp My Ride?
On Feb. 5th, the day before the Super Bowl, 200-300 volunteers will take a 2 hour SATURDAY drive around Dallas with large magnets on their cars with messages raising awareness about child trafficking and encouraging the use of hotlines.

Overview
We are looking for groups and individuals to take a stand by driving their “Anti-pimp” car on a specific route for 2 hours on Saturday, February 5th – the day before the Super Bowl leaving from Irving Bible Church at 2pm.

The Purpose
The purpose of driving with these message magnets on the cars is to encourage people to dial the Human trafficking hotline number into their phone and make them aware of the Problem in America today. The potential therefore means that thousands of trafficking victims could be saved from a life of sexual slavery and even death itself with the community in Dallas reporting suspicious activity.

The Cars
We ask for a minimum donation of $30.00 to outfit each car…

The routes
The idea is to congregate on Saturday, February 5th at 2:00pm in the parking lot of Irving Bible Church. Once all participants have arrived, we will then proceed in convoy on a route through Downtown Dallas…

There will be a LOT of traffic.
Please drive carefully and patiently.

And finally please punch in 1.888 3737 888 in your phone today. This National Human Trafficking Hotline is backed by both federal and state law and is already rescuing thousands of victims in America today.

For more information email info@itsnotmyfault.org and visit their website http://itsnotmyfault.org/

Free Posters, Flyers & Materials to Raise Awareness about Human Trafficking

How can I make a difference? How can I really make a difference in the fight against human trafficking?







Here is what you can do.
1. Go to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services website at http://www.acf.hhs.gov/trafficking/about/form.htm.

2. Order FREE posters, flyers, stickers and other materials regarding human trafficking.

3. With a group of friends, or a local organization such as Boy Scouts, Church Group, Book Club, etc... Visit local businesses and talk to them about human trafficking. Ask if they will hang a poster in their store or put a sticker by their register.

4. Distribute all of your ordered materials and repeat steps 1-3.

Materials are available in multiple languages. Some good places to distribute them are...

• Hotels
• Gas stations
• Movie theaters
• Fast food places
  
• Truck stops
• Your office
  
• Anywhere in your community
  

You can do this. You can make a difference by helping distribute these vital materials. By doing so you accomplish 2 things.

1. You help raise awareness in your community.
2. You provide resources and information for those who are currently enslaved. They may see that poster or sticker at a gas station and then know who to contact for help.

So order materials, organize your group and make a difference today.

Ronald Reagan's son talks about being abused as a child & combating human trafficking in Texas

By Michael Reagan, Feb. 1, 2011

There has been a lot of media buzz about the thousands of prostitutes and strippers streaming into Dallas for the Super Bowl weekend. What rarely gets reported is the alarming fact that hiding behind the push-up bras, false eyelashes and stilettos are children as young as 12 years of age who are victims of human sex trafficking.

Human trafficking is as much a part of Texas as cowboys and oil. The business flourishes because of the state’s long stretches of interstate highways, international airports, numerous bus stations, the large shipping industry and its shared border with Mexico. This border is North America’s number one supply site for young children used in sex and labor trafficking. In the last quarter of 2007, 30% of the calls received by the National Human Trafficking Hotline were out of Texas and 25% of all international victims certified by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services were in Texas.

Domestic child sex trafficking is on the rise. According to National Incidence Studies of Missing, Abducted, Runaway, and Throwaway Children, one out of every three children that run away is lured into sex trafficking within 48 hours of leaving home. One in five girls and one in ten boys will be sexually victimized before adulthood.

I know first hand the pain of sexual exploitation. As a child, I was sexually abused for a year by a trusted summer camp counselor. I was molested and was a victim of child pornography. No child ever completely recovers from this form of abuse.

I kept this awful secret for 32 years. Then in 1987, just half way through my father’s second term as president, I finally spoke. I told the horrible truth to my father Ronald Reagan and Nancy, my mother Jane Wyman and my wife Colleen, and then I told the world in a book I penned called On the Outside Looking In. I was no longer fearful of how my experience would affect the image of one of America’s most beloved actors and presidents. I found purpose in the pain.

In 2005, I joined with Arrow Child & Families Ministries of Houston, Texas to create The Michael Reagan Center for Advocacy & Research. The center conducts research in order to effectively advocate nationally for public policies that benefit the safety, stability and well-being of children and families, particularly those served by public and private child welfare systems. We are focused on providing a voice for children and families affected by deficiencies in the foster care system and those victimized by sex trafficking.

I applaud the efforts of Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott and members of the Texas Human Trafficking Prevention Task Force for working to identify and assist children trafficked in for the Super Bowl. But come Monday morning, there will be thousands of children still living in the darkness of the sex trade.

Our research shows that the vast majority of that funding and support is directed to foreign nationals and that these services are scarce for the domestic minor victims of trafficking. Nationwide there are fewer than 70 beds for the safe recovery of victims.

I urge you to contact your local representatives to ask their support of the Domestic Minor Sex Trafficking Deterrence and Victims Support Act which could provide critical funds needed to support our children. I am also calling upon you to visit http://www.arrow.org/MRC and indicate your desire to be educated and equipped to address this issue.

Arrow Child & Family Ministries and the Michael Reagan Center are participating in the Safe House Now Taskforce – a program that brings together representatives of the FBI, local law enforcement, the courts, the United States and District Attorneys, Child Protective Services and Juvenile Probation, women’s groups, non-profits and faith organizations to develop a program that will provide therapeutic, educational, and housing to children caught up in sex trafficking.

The task force has identified Arrow Child & Family Ministries as the organization that will house and provide the program needed. We have developed a therapeutic and educational model that can be replicated nationwide.

Predatory monsters who destroy the innocent lives of children are everywhere. It’s time that caring adults take a strong stand against those who sexually exploit and abuse children.

Reposted with permission from the Arrow Child & Family Ministries

Michael Reagan, the eldest son of Ronald Reagan, is a child advocate dedicated to promoting adoption, improving foster care and rescuing children from abuse and neglect. He is an author, former national radio talk show host, and is chairman and founder of The Reagan Group, The Reagan Legacy Foundation and The Reagan Report. His 2004 book "Twice Adopted" is often used as a training manual to help families affected by child sexual abuse.

Arrow Child & Family Ministries is a non-profit Christian organization based in Houston, Texas that provides foster care and adoption services; operates shelters, assessment centers, and schools for troubled youth; and provides an array of preventative services for families at risk. Arrow also has comprehensive programs for adults with developmental disabilities. Arrow operates in Texas, Maryland, California, Pennsylvania and Honduras.

Contact for More Information:

Mark Tennant

Founder and CEO, Arrow Child & Family Ministries

Phone: (281) 210-1500

Email: mark.tennant@arrow.org