161: Kelli Houghton on Keeping Kids Safe & Stopping Sex Trafficking

Today’s topic is hard to talk about but super important. Kelli Houghton is a social worker and manager of a non-profit group called Operation Underground Railroad, an organization doing incredible work rescuing and advocating for children who are victims of sex trafficking.As a mom this issue hits home hard, and I’m so grateful Kelli is here to share what we can do to take action against this horrifying practice.Operation Underground Railroad: Why Slavery Isn’t a Thing of the PastKidnapping and sexual trafficking are huge fears for many parents. It can be paralyzing even. We wonder… what are the actual statistics? Can I let my child play outside? Ride a bike to the park? Go into a store alone?Kelli shares what Operation Underground Railroad is doing to rescue children all over the globe. She also gives some actionable, practical ways to keep our kids safe while still letting them have a full and active life.In This Episode You’ll Learnhow many children are trafficked each yearstrategies that traffickers use to target kidsthe addictive effects of pornography, and what it has to do with traffickingthe most risky place for sex trafficking (it isn’t where you think)practical steps to keep kids safewhat to be aware of on social mediawhat Operation Underground Railroad (and others) are doing to rescue kids, and how you can helpResources We MentionOperation Underground RailroadFight the New DrugFREE: Signs of Trafficking Online Training CourseHuman Trafficking Is a Public Health Issue (textbook Kelli mentions)Human Trafficking Center Hotline — 888-373-7888 (add to your contacts!)More From Wellness Mama119: Cyber Security Tips to Keep Your Family Safer Online225: How a New SafetyPin Technology Can Keep Your Family SaferOverprotected Childhood: How Keeping Kids Safe is Actually Harming ThemWhat questions do you have for Kelli? Let me know in a comment below, or leave a review on iTunes. I read each and every one, and my guests often do too and might answer your questions!Read TranscriptChild: Welcome to my Mommy’s podcast.This podcast is brought to you by Plant Therapy. I’m often asked where I get my essential oils, and Plant Therapy is my go-to place these days. They offer many certified organic essential oils, including many kid-safe blends at really affordable prices. I also love that they offer bigger sizes of many oils so I can order our favorites in 100-milliliter bottles and they last longer, and then I throw fewer b