Members of Eastland Civic League & Garden Club and visitors at last Wednesday’s lunch greeted speaker Attorney James Winters. Winters, from the Texas State Attorney General’s Office, presented an informative program regarding Human Trafficking. He accurately described his theme as a “dark subject” but one that everyone should be aware of and never believe “It’s not in my community”. Winters advised that all transportation routes across the state of Texas will see some human trafficking- even in smaller communities.
Winters defined Human Trafficking: It is exploiting someone for services (often sexual services) but can also be found at times in farming, construction or even in restaurants. It is now spilling over into digital sites, he warned. Social media is a huge risk, Winters advised.
What can we do? Pay attention; Let law enforcement know if one sees something suspicious; Help our youth be safe on the internet; Encourage taking breaks from phones; Prioritize safety for children; Talk about issues; Be honest and straight forth about danger, Use parental controls, Check privacy settings.
