Child Trafficking in the Digital Age with Andrea Sparks Part 1

State House with Frank Santos

WARNING: This episode's content contains mature and strong content. Discretion is advised.

There is an alarming issue of child trafficking in Texas and technology is playing a significant role.

In part one of this conversation with Andrea Sparks, a dedicated child advocate with extensive experience in various roles related to child protection. She has represented children in CPS and juvenile justice cases, served as the director of public affairs at Texas CASA, and held positions at the Texas Office of the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. Currently, she is the Director of Government Affairs at Buckner International and a co-founder of the nonprofit group, Not On Our Watch Texas.

In this episode, Frank is joined by David Hinkle, a passionate advocate for children and veterans through his Warrior National Foundation. Together, they address the pressing issues surrounding child trafficking and the rights of parents to protect their children.

Andrea begins by dispelling some common misconceptions about child trafficking, particularly the alarming statistic of 79,000 girls being trafficked in the U.S. She clarifies that this figure was based on a study estimating those at risk and vulnerable to exploitation. Andrea emphasizes the prevalence of online exploitation and grooming, especially in the era of smartphones and social media. The conversation highlights the vulnerabilities children face in the digital age and the role parents can play in protecting them.

Andrea also introduces "Not On Our Watch Texas," a volunteer project dedicated to raising awareness about the dangers children face online and providing support to parents. This initiative aims to educate and empower parents in understanding the risks and taking proactive measures to keep their children safe from online exploitation.

The episode sheds light on the rising issue of "sextortion," where perpetrators manipulate children into sharing explicit content and then use it to extort them. Andrea explains the alarming increase in this type of crime, emphasizing that it can happen to anyone, regardless of their family background or community.

The importance of open communication with children and creating a safe space for them to seek help and report any concerning online interactions is stressed. Andrea concludes by sharing resources, such as the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children's "Take It Down" program, designed to help take down explicit content shared online.

This episode serves as a wake-up call for parents and caregivers to be vigilant in protecting their children from online threats. It also highlights the critical work being done by organizations like "Not On Our Watch Texas" to empower parents and raise awareness about child trafficking and online exploitation.

We cannot protect against what we are not aware of. Join the fight against child trafficking in Texas:
https://notonourwatchtx.com/

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