Now that the political posts have subsided, I’d like to get back to readers (as I said I would) regarding an issue that never seems to make it to the forefront of the news – 350,000+ missing children.
The Delaware Anti-Trafficking Action Council will be sending the Cape Gazette a writeup on how this effort is progressing, and what its plans are. I will tell you that most of the cases reported were in New Castle County, and the fewest were in Kent County. I will leave it up to DATAC administration to report the other findings.
Delaware is still in the top 10 for trafficking states. It’s up to concerned citizens to keep reminding the government that this is not in any way acceptable – no matter what political party is in office.
I also participated in a seminar from Wilmington University via Zoom. Dr. Johanna Bishop is the director of the College of Social and Behavioral Science, and the seminar was focusing on disrupting human trafficking. There were presentations by mental health professionals, criminal justice leaders and a powerful presentation from a survivor.
In my last career, I worked with a lot of folks with issues of mental health and substance abuse. They were hoping to be able to manage their issues and move on with their lives. Almost all who had children were afraid of losing them to the state. I always told my clients that the state didn’t want their children; they want them to be in a better position to take care of them without the legal or substance abuse issues. They always responded, “No, they want our children …” I understand their concern now.
Delaware Department of Justice also has a Human Trafficking Unit. It has been working on this issue even though there is not much information from the media about the efforts. I am encouraged as I ride through Sussex County and see parents (and even grandparents) at the corners waiting for their children at bus stops to make sure they arrive home safely.
This has been going on for a very long time, but it keeps getting worse. It needs to stop… #opentheshippingcontainers.
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