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GRACE - Governor’s Response Against Child Exploitation

The Office of the Governor and the Department of Family & Protective Services are working together to fight child sex trafficking in Texas. To improve awareness, service capacity, and prevention efforts, the GRACE initiative empowers communities of faith across Texas, complementing the agencies’ shared vision of a statewide Network of Nurture to meet the needs of children and their families.

Vision

We envision every faith community in Texas working collaboratively with the State of Texas and local agencies to end human trafficking, help survivors heal and flourish, and protect the vulnerable.

Mission

The GRACE collaboration will empower leaders of the diverse faith communities in the state of Texas to achieve our shared vision through education, advocacy, prayer, and provision of resources to survivors of human trafficking and those who are vulnerable.

Week of Prayer to End Human Trafficking

January 9-15, 2023

Every January, GRACE hosts a Week of Prayer to End Human Trafficking. Faith communities across Texas are encouraged to unite in prayer, become better educated about human trafficking, and discern opportunities to prevent exploitation and support survivors.

The 2023 Week of Prayer to End Human Trafficking will run from Monday, January 9 through Sunday, January 15. Join us for a virtual interfaith launch event on Monday, January 9th at 7pm on Facebook. The event will include remarks from First Lady Cecilia Abbott and DFPS Commissioner Stephanie Muth, prayer, and a panel discussion with faith leaders. Texans can use the hashtag #TXPraysToEndHT on social media to share their support for the Week of Prayer to End Human Trafficking.

Daily Prayer Intentions

During this week of prayer, Texans of all faiths and religious backgrounds are encouraged to pray about the issue of human trafficking in whatever manner they choose. In a spirit of solidarity and interfaith collaboration, GRACE members humbly offer these daily intentions for those Texans wishing to focus their prayers. Beginning Tuesday, January 10, a new video featuring different faith leaders will be posted on the Office of the Governor’s Facebook page to guide viewers through the day’s intention.

  • Monday, January 9: Pray for all those currently being exploited to find safety and healing. 
  • Tuesday, January 10: Pray for all those who are vulnerable to receive the help, love, and support necessary to meet their needs and not fall victim to human trafficking. 
  • Wednesday, January 11: Pray for an end to demand and societal factors that normalize exploitation. 
  • Thursday, January 12: Pray for protection from online dangers and for caregivers to be equipped to keep their children safe. 
  • Friday, January 13: Pray for Texans to have the courage and skills to speak up and intervene when they see behavior that puts others at risk. 
  • Saturday, January 14: Pray for every child to have access to safe, supportive mentors and role models. 
  • Sunday, January 15: Pray for discernment on the actions you can personally take to prevent human trafficking. 

Online Safety

GRACE has identified online safety as a major issue for faith communities and families seeking to protect children from exploitation. Along with First Lady Cecilia Abbott, the McCain Institute, and the Outdoor Advertising Association of Texas, GRACE members recently helped launch the R.E.A.L. Friends Don’t campaign. The goal of this campaign is to empower parents and caregivers to protect their children from harmful content, grooming, or online exploitation. 

What can you do?

Educate

Faith communities can increase awareness in their congregations and larger communities by educating on how to identify, respond to, and prevent trafficking.

The following videos and resources are suitable for mature audiences: 

  • Be the One: 52-minute training documentary from the Attorney General of Texas. The video features actual cases prosecuted in Texas and equips viewers with a better understanding of human trafficking in our state.
  • Look Beneath the Surface to End Human Trafficking: 14-minute video from the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services. The video features stories of survivors and raises awareness about human trafficking and how to get help.
  • TBRI Animate on Human Trafficking: 3-minute animation from Texas Christian University that accurately, succinctly, and artfully describes the realities of child exploitation and how we can help survivors heal.
  • Can You See Me?: A series of PSAs ranging from 2 minutes to 5 minutes that depict various scenarios of human trafficking to help viewers recognize and report suspicious activity.
  • R.E.A.L. Friends Don’t: This campaign increases awareness and educates parents and caregivers about online safety and empowers parents to protect their children from harmful content, grooming, or online exploitation.
  • National Human Trafficking Hotline
  • National Center for Missing and Exploited Children

Other targeted toolkits and resources for leaders of multiple faiths and their communities:

The Department of Family and Protective Services has partnered with Shared Hope International to help Texas congregations learn how to protect their youth and give them tools to protect their community. Learn more by emailing humantrafficking@dfps.state.tx.us.

Act

GRACE encourages faith communities to move from awareness to action to meet the unique needs of their local area. Each community has an opportunity to discern its contribution through prayer, awareness, supporting victim services, or moving upstream into prevention activities.

If you would like information on supporting children in foster care, contact your local DFPS faith-based specialist.

The Governor's Child Sex Trafficking Team (CSTT) has regional advisors across the state who can help educate faith communities and connect them with relevant stakeholders. 

In addition, local anti-trafficking coalitions welcome partnerships with faith communities to strengthen local efforts.