Thursday, February 6, 2025

Local church to host human trafficking forum to educate residents on growing issue

Posted

FORT WORTH — On Feb. 1 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., Lighthouse Fellowship will host an event called the “Freedom Forum” to educate residents in the Fort Worth, Lake Worth and Azle areas about the dangers of human trafficking, especially in the DFW area. Pastor of Caring Ministries Carol Roberts said this event is an educational event for everyone to bring awareness to an ever-growing issue.

“We are hosting a free awareness and educational event designed to equip educators, parents, grandparents, guardians and other caring adults to recognize the signs that a child or teen is at risk of being exploited or trafficked,” Roberts said “You and all your friends and neighbors, teenagers with their parents' support, are invited to this free event Feb. 1 at 10 a.m. at Lighthouse Fellowship.”

Keynote speakers include Founder and Executive Director of Rescue Hill Reverand Amanda Pettit, Tarrant County Sherriff’s Office Commander Kevin Turner, Tarrant County District Attorney Investigator Rob Pawley, Associate Director of The Net Fort Worth Ty Bowden, Director of Community and Donor Relations of Rescue Her Elle Lees and Director of Youth Prevention Education of Unbound Now Sonya Brooks.

“The panel of experts you'll hear from comes from law enforcement and professionals who walk alongside survivors of various ages including an organization that specializes in helping minors,” Roberts said.

Roberts said this is a pressing issue in the DFW area and in Tarrant County.

“This is a local problem,” Roberts said. “The Tarrant County area is a major hub for human trafficking and many children are living through this terrible situation in silence.”

This forum will explore the vulnerabilities that lead to the exploitation of individuals in DFW. Some of the law enforcement speakers will talk about personal experiences and how to equip people with knowledge and training on this issue.

Roberts declares that the more you know, the more power you have.

“Education is power,” Roberts said. “We would love to help empower our community to understand the signs and become equipped to report, while also equipping teens and children to grow into resilient people who will not be coerced into dangerous situations or believe the lies fed to them by groomers.”

Since the forum will be held at a church, discussions of how local churches can help with this issue will be at the forefront of the meeting.

Roberts believes people can bring hope to those in captivity and educate individuals to prevent the worst.

“Together, we can bring hope to those held captive in modern day slavery and prevent the youth of the tri-county area from falling prey to those who seek to use them for profit,” Roberts said.

For more information, visit the Lighthouse Fellowship website.