Tag Archives: Department of Homeland Security

Child Abuse, Child Predator, Child Sex Slavery, Child Sexual Abuse, Good Parenting, Trafficking

Blue Bulletin Campaign: #HumanTrafficking101 June, July Video Series

.jpg photo of U. S. Department of Homeland Security Blue Campaign Logo
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is committed to protecting children from abuse and educating them about how to protect themselves.

U. S. DHS BLUE CAMPAIGN: Weekly
Human Trafficking Education On
Social Media

May 2020

What’s New with Blue?

#HumanTrafficking101 Social Media Video Series

Next month, Blue Campaign will launch a #HumanTrafficking101 video series on its social media channels.  Each week during June and July we will discuss a human trafficking topic that will provide you with a better understanding of the crime and how to recognize and report it.

Follow Blue Campaign on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram to see all the #HumanTrafficking101 posts.  Comment, like, and share the videos so that your friends and followers can learn more about this crime.

Download Human Trafficking Resources

Human trafficking is a complex crime, but Blue Campaign helps break it down so you can better understand what it is, what it looks like, and how to report it.  We offer a number of video and print resources that you can use to inform yourself and your community about the crime.

For example, our animated infographic video (now available in Spanish) can be used to educate individuals about the foundational elements of human trafficking.  It clearly defines the crime, explains different types of human trafficking (forced labor, sex trafficking, and domestic servitude), and details actions the public can take to combat it.

To report suspected human trafficking to Federal law enforcement:
1-866-347-2423

To get help from the National Human Trafficking Hotline:
1-888-373-7888
or text HELP or INFO to
BeFree (233733)

Para reportar un posible caso de trata de personas:
1-866-347-2423

Obtenga ayuda de la Línea Directa Nacional de Trata de Personas:
1-888-373-7888
o enviando un mensaje de texto con HELP o INFO to
BeFree (233733)

All resources on our website can be shared via social media, newsletters, trainings, and any platform you use to communicate with your friends, colleagues, and community.  To learn more about all the free resources Blue Campaign has available, click here.

A note about orders: Due to COVID-19 impacts on staffing you may experience delays in receiving your Blue Campaign materials order.  Thank you for your patience.

News You Can Use

Mayor Turner and City Council Approve Hotel Ordinance to Combat Human Trafficking

The Houston City Council approved an ordinance requiring hotels to train their employees on human trafficking.  Houston is the first major U.S. city to have an anti-human trafficking ordinance and only the second city in the United States after Baltimore.

Social Media Shareables

Tag Blue Campaign on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram using @DHSBlueCampaign. Each month we share content you can distribute on your social channels to raise awareness of human trafficking in your communities.

Do you know how to recognize and report #HumanTrafficking?   Follow @DHSBlueCampaign to learn more.  #HumanTrafficking101

Watch and share @DHSBlueCampaign’s #HumanTrafficking101 videos to learn more about the crime.

DYK:  @DHSBlueCampaign has free downloadable #HumanTrafficking awareness resources in Spanish and other languages.  Take a look:  https://bit.ly/2xLBsWw

Victims of forced labor can be found in the U.S. and overseas.  Learn more about who is vulnerable to this crime through @DHSBlueCampaign:  https://bit.ly/2AbkMbX

For more information visit the Blue Campaign

Child Abuse, Child Sexual Abuse, Coronavirus, DHS, Good Parenting, Trafficking

DHS: Protecting Our Children

.jpg photo of U. S. Department of Homeland Security Blue Campaign Logo
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is committed to protecting children from abuse and educating them about how to protect themselves.

April is National Child Abuse Prevention Month

BLUE BULLETIN CAMPAIGN

April 2020 has been proclaimed by the President as National Child Abuse Prevention Month.  The proclamation calls upon individuals to be aware of children’s safety and well-being, and to support efforts that promote their psychological, physical, and emotional development.  April is also a time to highlight the importance of working together to prevent the abuse and neglect of children.

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is committed to protecting children from abuse and educating them about how to protect themselves.  U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) created the Angel Watch Center in 2016 to expand its work with foreign law enforcement partners, alerting them about the intended travel by convicted registered child sex offenders from the United States to their countries.  The Center ultimately aims to stop the spread of transnational child sexual abuse.

Additionally, ICE Homeland Security Investigations (HSI)’s Project iGuardian program provides children, teens, parents, and teachers with information regarding the potential dangers of online environments and how to stay safe online.  The iGuardian program team is committed to providing safety tips, a number to call, and resources to the public to avoid falling victim to online sexual predators.

As part of HSI’s Operation Predator, which was first launched in 2003, HSI has arrested more than 31,000 individuals for crimes against children, including the production and distribution of online child exploitation material, traveling overseas for the purpose of sexually abusing minors, and sex trafficking of children.  In fiscal year 2019, more than 3,900 child predators were arrested by HSI Special Agents under this initiative and more than 1,000 victims were identified or rescued.

To report a crime, you can utilize the HSI online tip form.  Report suspected child sexual exploitation or missing children to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children® via its toll-free 24-hour hotline at 1-800-843-5678.

News You Can Use

COVID-19 Resources, Services, and Support (Office of Health & Human Services (HHS), Administration for Children & Families)

The Office on Trafficking in Persons (OTIP) is focused on preventing human trafficking and working to ensure that children and adults who have experienced trafficking and their families get the support and care they need to live safe and healthy lives.  This focus remains the same during responses to public health emergencies such as COVID-19.  As in times of disaster response, HHS recognizes that disruptions to local services, housing and economic stability, and social disconnection can further increase risk for victimization and exploitation.

ICE HSI Shares Tools to Keep Children Safe Online (ICE)

Across the country, children have shifted to virtual learning which results in significantly more time spent online.  In order to protect them, the Child Exploitation Investigations Unit at HSI reminds families that the agency has a variety of tools available on its iGuardian webpage to keep children safe while using the Internet.

School Closings Due to COVID-19 Present Potential for Increased Risk of Child Exploitation (Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI))

Due to school closings as a result of COVID-19, the FBI is seeking to warn parents, educators, caregivers, and children about the dangers of online sexual exploitation and signs of child abuse.

The Effect of COVID-19 on Human Trafficking (Polaris)

The National Human Trafficking Hotline is fully operational during this health emergency.  Polaris is continuing to update its website with resources and information for survivors.

Social Media Shareables

Tag Blue Campaign on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram using @DHSBlueCampaign. Each month we share content you can distribute on your social channels to raise awareness of human trafficking in your communities.

  • Do you know how to stay safe online? Learn more from @DHSBlueCampaign: https://bit.ly/2xhHBJW
  • Predators and traffickers can gain access to victims online because people are not always aware of how dangerous these environments can be or how to keep themselves safe.  Learn more from @DHSBlueCampaign:
    https://bit.ly/2xhHBJW
  • The Internet is a great way to stay in touch, but predators and traffickers oftentimes stalk online meeting places such as social media sites to lure their victims.  Learn more from @DHSBlueCampaign: https://bit.ly/2xhHBJW

For more information visit the Blue Campaign

To report suspected human trafficking: 1-866-347-2423

To get help from the National Human Trafficking Hotline: 1-888-373-7888
or text HELP or INFO to BeFree (233733)