Human trafficking is the dehumanizing process of holding another in compelled services using whatever means necessary, whether physical or psychological. Under Federal law, Human Trafficking is defined as the Act of recruiting, harboring, transporting, providing, obtaining a person for labor, services or commercial sex acts by means of force, fraud or coercion.

 

The HOPE Unlimited Anti-Trafficking Initiative will focus on building community awareness and initiating programs to give parents, and others who work with children, preventative tools and methods. There primary function will be two fold: 1) to bring awareness of the issues and trauma produced by human trafficking and similar abusive situations to and 2) to suggest a course of action for those who have been victimized. They will partner with other community-based organizations who serve victims of trafficking and abuse and to advocate on behalf of the at-risk population.

 

Lynda Buehring retired in 2015 as a Supervisory Special Agent with the Department of Homeland Security after 32 years of federal service. Dr. Norma Mouton received her PhD from the University of Houston in 2009. After working as a lecturer at Sam Houston State University from 2009-2011, she moved to Camano Island in 2012. Dr. Mouton is the past president of the Stanwood-Camano Branch of the American Association of University Women.