The World Cup Is Almost Over. The Fight Against Trafficking Persists.

By Bianca Davis, CEO, New Friends New Life

Here in North Texas, we are in the middle of hosting millions of visitors for the FIFA Men’s World Cup. Fans from all over the world are filling our hotels, stadiums, and highways. Their presence is expected to generate an economic windfall of $2 billion into the local economy. But the excitement of hosting the world’s largest sporting event, also has the potential to exacerbate the world’s second largest and fastest growing criminal enterprise – the human trafficking industry.

The sex trade follows a proven business model of supply and demand. The hard truth is that most sex buyers are men, and the buyers create the demand. So, wherever the buyers are, the crime of compelling victims to engage in sexual acts by force, fraud, or coercion follows. In cities like Dallas, which is already a hotspot for commercial sexual exploitation, events of this massive scale do not introduce a new crime, but it certainly creates an atmosphere for an existing crime to fester, if unaddressed.

For 28 years, New Friends New Life has worked to restore and empower trafficked and exploited teen girls, women, and their children. One of the most challenging aspects of working on this issue is the sensationalism and misconceptions that surround it. We are taught to look for stranger danger — the white van in the parking lot, the kidnapping that ends with a child shipped overseas. Far more often, the story looks like this: a teenager in foster care running from one harm into another, or a young woman whose boyfriend convinces her that he loves her, and that what he is forcing her to do is reasonable and is her choice.

The World Cup arrives on top of this reality, not separate from it. If we treat the tournament as a potential four-week trafficking crisis, we will spend only four weeks on a year-round problem. But, if we treat it as a stress test, we can build infrastructure that outlasts the closing ceremony.

This is the work in front of North Texas now. As a host region, we have been working under the North Texas FWC Organizing Committee’s Human Rights framework, which covers sex and labor trafficking, homelessness, and disability access. Under this framework, scores of stakeholders, including New Friends New Life, are turning that framework into action: strengthening agency partnerships to receive hotline calls, providing shelter beds, and training intersecting industries like airlines, restaurants, hospitals, and hotels.  Collectively, we want survivors to know that there is help, and we want potential buyers to know that buying sex is a felony in Texas — even if they are visiting from places where it is not.

The most important work, though, does not end when the trophy is lifted. If the tournament leaves and the focus leaves with it, we would have wasted the moment. This season presents us with a moment to infuse and accelerate the work we have already been doing for decades now that eyes of the world are on us – literally.

This work looks like corporations ensuring that employees cannot access or view pornographic materials on company phones or laptops. Faith communities making room for survivors without shame. Parents asking their sons who they’re gaming with online. And men — our everyday men — willing to interrupt the joke or refusing to click on the online ad.

Sex trafficking thrives in the gaps a community leaves open. The World Cup will not create those gaps. It will reveal them. We must address the systemic, foundational problems that create cracks in a person’s life long before they fall into the chasm of the sex trade.

The problem is already on our doorsteps, but I believe the solutions are, too.

Action Above Intention: Why What You Do Matters Most

By Jeoff Williams, MAG Board President

My name is Jeoff Williams, and I am honored to serve as president of the Men’s Advocacy Group (MAG). This organization means something to me. More than ten years ago, while I was still serving at the Texas Department of Public Safety, I had the privilege of being part of the early work of MAG.

I want to say plainly - this work exists today because respected men like Chris Kleinert, Dr. R. Gerald Turner, Ray L. Hunt, and others who were willing to attach their names, their reputations, and their hearts to something that was not easy to talk about a decade ago.

That matters. Movements do not grow out of thin air. They grow when people with something to lose decide the mission is worth more than their comfort.

At the time, I was helping lead our first statewide Human Trafficking Unit. And I believed deeply in putting bad men in jail (and I still do). But while putting bad guys in jail was fun, I quickly realized this fight is bigger than arrests or making cases. It is bigger than the criminal justice system.

Beneath this crime is demand.

Beneath the demand is silence.

And beneath the silence is the lie that good men can remain neutral.

That is why MAG exists. MAG gives men a place to stand. A place to stand with survivors. A place to stand against demand. A place to stand in front of the culture and say, “Not here. Not around me. Not in my city.”

Today, we seem to drag almost everything into either the left or the right. This isn’t about left and right; this is about right and wrong. I want to say the uncomfortable part out loud…Buying and selling women is wrong. Grooming vulnerable girls is wrong. Treating exploitation like entertainment is wrong. That shouldn’t be controversial. It should be clarifying.

Over the last 10 years, somewhere along the way, our society started telling men that the highest possible virtue was to be harmless. Be agreeable. Quiet. Don’t offend. Don’t make anyone uncomfortable.

But harmlessness is not goodness. A harmless man avoids doing damage. A good man becomes useful in the face of damage. That is what this mission needs. Not perfect men. Thank God – because none of us are. What we need are useful men. Men with backbone. Humility. Resources. Influence. Disciplined. Men who are willing to stand for her.

And I will tell you personally that matters more to me now than it did when I was younger. These days, I take inventory more often. Maybe that comes with age. Maybe it comes from realizing I am closer to the end of my life than the beginning. And as I look back, I’m comforted by this reality that we will all be confronted with in the end - we don’t get credit for what we intended to do. We must live with what we actually did. 

Most of us hope people will measure our lives by the sum of our intentions. I wish they did, but they will not. Your life will be measured by the sum of your actions. Not what you meant to do. Not what broke your heart in private. Not what you agreed with or disagreed with quietly. What you actually did.

Scripture says, “Faith without works is dead.” Concern without action dies the same way. Compassion without action dies the same way. Conviction without action dies the same way. And I believe the Lord puts emotion in you to get you in motion.

Intentions do not rescue anyone. Actions do.

So, now I want to ask you to act. Join us. We’re not looking for men who are simply harmless; we’re looking for good men.

And then do one more thing. Think of one man. Not a category. Not some vague group. One man. Someone you know. Someone you respect. That man you’re thinking of right now is the man I want you to call. That is the man I want you to bring into this fight.

MAG members serving on valentines day

Join today. Give today. Sign up for a bus tour. Volunteer. Help us spread the word. Bring another man into the picture. Do not let this become one more thing you intended to do. Because intentions will not stand for her. Actions will.

And if you choose to stand with us, I will make you this promise: there will come a day when you will look back on that decision with gratitude.

What Every Mother Should Know About Protecting Her Children

Written by Priya Murphy, Chief Development Officer

Motherhood is one of the greatest privileges and honors of my life. As a mom to a thriving 7-year-old boy who was once a tiny, two-pound, 12-ounce preemie, I still find myself in awe of how quickly children grow.

My son entered this world through an emergency C-Section at just 32 weeks due to complications we both faced, and he spent his first month in the NICU. Cheers to all the NICU moms out there — you are some of the strongest women I know. The fear, uncertainty, and emotional exhaustion that come with watching your baby fight to grow and survive changes you forever. It often creates a deep instinct to protect your child at all costs.

I will never forget the words our pediatrician told us during my son’s very first appointment after leaving the NICU:

“You are the only protection your baby has.”

She explained that because of his fragile little body (only four pounds at the time), we had to do everything possible to protect him from germs and infection. Wash our hands constantly. Limit visitors. Avoid crowded places. Make sure anyone holding him was healthy and careful. Hearing those words filled me with an overwhelming sense of responsibility. We followed every instruction diligently, and today, by God’s grace, we have a healthy and thriving 7-year-old boy.

But as my son grew, I began to realize that protecting our children goes far beyond protecting them physically. One of the greatest joys of working at New Friends New Life for nearly nine years has been witnessing the resilience of mothers and children who walk through our doors. Many of the women in our program are survivors of exploitation and trafficking, and yet they continue fighting for a better future for their children.

I remember one survivor sharing with me:

“If it weren’t for my daughter, I would have ended my life a long time ago after everything I endured.”

Her daughter became her reason to survive.

Today, that same mother is determined to create a different future for her child. She enrolled her daughter in our Youth Resource Center to help protect her from exploitation and trafficking. Every day, I get to witness healing, empowerment, and generational transformation happening right before my eyes. NFNL is helping break cycles of trauma and abuse - not just for mothers, but for their children too.

While parenting is one of life’s greatest joys, the responsibility of safeguarding our children can also feel overwhelming. In today’s world, parents must be more intentional than ever before. Online exploitation, sextortion, predators hiding behind screens, AI deepfakes, and increasing abuse against children are heartbreaking realities we cannot afford to ignore.

 When my son was only 3 years old, I began teaching him about “safe touch” and “unsafe touch.” At times, you wonder if young children truly understand what you are teaching them, but they absorb far more than we realize.

When he was 4 years old, we traveled to India to visit family. One evening, I was preparing a sermon to preach at church the next morning and wasn’t feeling well, so I asked my sister to help bathe him. A few minutes later, she came running out of the bathroom laughing and said, “Your son won’t let me wash him! He slapped my hand away and said, ‘This is not safe touch — only my mommy or daddy can touch me there.’”

I burst out laughing, but in that moment, I also felt incredibly proud.

My son understood. He remembered. And he felt empowered to speak up.

As parents, we must intentionally teach our children the skills they need to protect themselves. Predators do not always look dangerous. They can be relatives, neighbors, teachers, pastors, coaches, or strangers online pretending to be someone they are not. We can never be too cautious when it comes to protecting our children.

Most importantly, our children need to know this:

There is nothing they could ever say or do that would make us stop loving them.

Traffickers and predators often rely on shame, secrecy, fear, and isolation. But when children know their parents are a safe place without condemnation, they are far more likely to speak up when something feels wrong. Open communication can become one of the greatest forms of protection we give our children.

Here are a few resources I encourage every parent to explore:

·       10 Ways Parents Can Prevent & Identify Human Trafficking

·       21 Apps Parents Should Know About

·       7 Tips for Teaching Children Good Touch and Bad Touch

·       Sextortion: A Growing Threat Targeting Minors

Motherhood is not about living in constant fear. It is about living with wisdom, awareness, courage, and intentionality. Our children do not need perfect parents; they need present parents. Parents who are willing to have hard conversations, create safe spaces, stay informed, and fiercely protect the hearts and futures of the children entrusted to them.

To every mother reading this: trust your instincts, stay informed, and never underestimate the power of your presence in your child’s life.

Honoring Strength: A Reflection for National Women's History Month

Written by Claudia Davila, Ph. D., Chief Programs Officer

There is something profoundly powerful about being a woman, something that often goes unspoken, unnoticed, and at times, undervalued. Yet it lives in the everyday moments, in the quiet sacrifices, in the relentless resilience, in the unwavering commitment to family, work, and community.

During National Women's History Month, we pause to celebrate the achievements of women across generations, but celebration alone is not enough.  This month is also a call to recognize the lived realities behind those achievements, the barriers, the expectations, the invisible weight so many women carry every single day.  We live in a world that still reflects the structure of a patriarchal society, where even in 2026, women can find themselves fighting to be seen as equals.  Despite progress, many women continue to navigate spaces where their voices are often stifled, their contributions minimized, and their worth questioned.  And yet, they rise again and again.

Women are, without question, among the most empowered and strongest individuals I know. Not because the world has made it easy, but because they have learned to thrive despite it. They are mothers who give endlessly of themselves, often placing their children’s needs above their own dreams.  They are professionals who strive for excellence, pouring their heart and soul into their work while balancing the demands of home.  They are caregivers, leaders, problem solvers, and visionaries, frequently all at once.  And still much of what they do goes unseen.

There is an unspoken expectation that women will carry it all and carry it gracefully.  To nurture, to provide, to succeed, to sacrifice. To be everything to everyone. And while many women rise to meet these expectations with extraordinary strength, it is important to ask, at what cost?

For me, this understanding is not abstract; it is deeply personal.  I am a mother. I am a professional, and I made a deliberate choice to pursue graduate school and ultimately my doctorate because I knew the work I was called to do carried immense responsibility. I chose to work with women, to support, to advocate, and to help empower them, and I knew I needed the depth of knowledge and skill to do that work with integrity and care. Because the women I have had the privilege to work with have changed me.

Working with women who have survived profound adversity, including human rights abuses, has shown me what true resilience looks like. I have witnessed strength that cannot be taught in any classroom, strength that rises in the face of trauma, loss, and unimaginable hardship. These women continue to move forward, rebuild, hope, even when the world has given them every reason not to. They are not just survivors, they are teachers who teach about courage and perseverance, about what it means to reclaim one's voice and identity, through them I understood that empowerment is not something we give, it is something we recognize, nurture, and stand beside.

This work is also personal. I am raising a daughter, and more than anything, I want her to grow up knowing how powerful and precious it is to be a woman. I want her to understand she belongs to a community of women who are resilient, compassionate, and extraordinary in their ability to give, lead, and endure. I want her to see that her voice matters, that her dreams are valid, and that her worth is never to be questioned.

This is why recognition matters. This is why celebration matters. And this is why women supporting women matters.

Because when women uplift one another when they acknowledge each other's efforts, advocate for each other's growth, and create spaces for understanding and empowerment, something shifts. Strength multiplies; voices grow louder. Change becomes possible.

National Women's History Month is not just about looking back at the women who paved the way. It is about honoring the women who are still pushing forward today, the ones balancing careers and motherhood, the ones rebuilding their lives after hardship and traumas, the ones daring to dream bigger despite the odds. It is about recognizing that being a woman is not a limitation, but a source of profound strength.  I am proud to be a woman, proud of the resilience we carry, the love we give, and the barriers we continue to break. Proud of the quiet courage it takes to show up every day and keep going even when the world feels heavy.

This month and every month, let us choose to see women fully. To celebrate them loudly, to support them intentionally, and to never stop pushing for a world where women are not just acknowledged but truly valued, respected, and equal. Let’s uplift one another.

The Power of Thankfulness in a Season of Giving

Written by Annette Bailey, Program Resource Coordinator & Survivor Leader

As we enter a season centered on gratitude and giving, we’re reminded that thankfulness is more than a moment—it’s a mindset that enriches both our lives and the lives of those around us. This time of year beautifully ties together the gratitude of Thanksgiving and the generosity of this season, inviting us to reflect on our blessings and share them with others.

Describing thankfulness can be rooted in an emotional response—there’s a direct connection between something that has happened and the way we feel. We may feel thankful because of an external blessing or moment of relief. While often used interchangeably, thankful is a temporary emotional response to a specific benefit, while grateful is a deeper, more consistent attitude of appreciation for kindness or blessings received. Gratitude involves a conscious awareness of the source of good, whereas thankfulness is often a simpler expression of relief or pleasure.

Words to describe thankfulness include grateful, appreciative, indebted, and obliged. Three types of thankfulness or gratitude can include personal gratitude for what we receive, interpersonal gratitude toward others, and transpersonal gratitude that involves feeling thankful for life itself or for a higher power.

This season signifies showing graditude—a time set aside to express gratitude, reflect on blessings, and connect with family, friends, and community. Many people use this season to give and show acts of kindness, whether feeding the homeless, serving others, or offering care to those who have struggled throughout the year. We are reminded to pause, to give thanks to God, and to acknowledge the kindness that surrounds us.

As we transition from one holiday to another,  the spirit of giving continues. This time of year invites us not only to feel thankful, but to live out gratitude through generosity, compassion, and love. Together, these holidays encourage us to both reflect and give—to appreciate what we have and to share it with others.

During this year, I have been thankful for many things: life, health, strength, employment, family, and friends. Many have endured grief, loss, or disappointment, yet still find reasons to be grateful for what they have.

The word “thankful” speaks volumes. As I reflect on my work at New Friends New Life as Program Resource Coordinator / Economic Empowerment Specialist, I see thankfulness and gratitude every day. Our members walk through our doors seeking hope and a second chance. When you look into their eyes, you see peace and comfort because some of their basic needs are being met. That stability—through open doors and supportive services—is a true expression of gratitude in action.

So, what are you most thankful or grateful for? If you haven’t taken time to reflect, I encourage you to make a list of the things that fill your heart with gratitude during this season.

I would like to wish everyone a very meaningful holiday season filled with giving, gratitude, and connection. Start your list with the words: “I AM THANKFUL FOR…” and see where it leads you.

Carrying the Weight Twice: Managing Stress as You Serve

Written by Annette Bailey, Program Resource Coordinator & Survivor Leader

Handling stress at work has its challenges in any work environment, but it is especially difficult when your work is not just a job, but your purpose, and is deeply personal to your own life. What we don’t talk about enough is how vicarious trauma shows up for all of us in this work. This is especially true as survivor leaders, given that our own histories are linked with the very experiences our clients are facing in their own lives. We all know of the ways in which we could or “should” deal with our stresses: walking, taking breaks, deep breathing, communicating with our managers, setting boundaries between our work and our personal life, and seeking support as needed. 

Working at an anti-trafficking organization means holding story after story of pain, grief, suffering, and so much resilience. It also means holding joy, watching eyes light up with pride, and so much laughter. For those of us who are survivor leaders doing this work, this work is sacred and deeply personal. It means that while we are doing this work of supporting women, we are also aware of how their stories and experiences echo our own. That means we have to work tirelessly to make sure the stress doesn't sweep us under, so we can remain the guide and support these women deserve.

When this work hits close, because it will.

Yes, all this sounds profound, but when work affects you personally, speaking from my own experience, you might not have time to figure out all these different techniques and boundaries. Especially when the stress and harsh realities your clients face do not take breaks, and the work continues day after day. It is difficult to care so deeply about these clients and find a way for it not to bleed into your own stress load.  When you yourself have lived through the very abuse and control these clients are enduring, this work can feel both healing and harmful at times. This aspect makes it vital to find a way to make sense of the different emotions we face daily. It becomes even more important that we draw encouragement from our loved ones, peers, and community to take care of ourselves. We must approach this thoughtfully and with intention, because ultimately, if we don’t, the clients we care deeply for will face even greater risks.

The idea of “strong”

There is a harmful idea that survivor leaders should be endlessly strong and that our own lived experiences make us immune to this burnout and vicarious trauma. The truth, though, is that it’s the opposite, and it makes us more vulnerable. The reality is that we are human. We, like anyone else, have our own triggers and tender spots, and unlike most people, we are reminded of them each and every day in this line of work. Sitting with other survivors requires me to wear so many hats and in so many different moments. There are times when, as a survivor leader, I need to be a protector, times when I am the advocate, times when I am the supportive voice, and times when I set the rules to help her succeed. But all these experiences require me to be steadfast in the very experiences and memories I have already made peace with, like a passenger who will always be with me. 

Stress was beginning to take me to a place of no return. Stress was starting to affect my physical and mental well-being. But I had to take a step back. First, I assessed my stress levels and took some time to reflect on how I could better care for my physical and mental well-being. After completing these tasks, I took the time to follow simple tips and tricks on stress management and really focus on myself to relieve my tension. I had to remind myself that my clients deserve the best of me, and I can’t give them that if I succumb to stress. I had to practice what I preached and do the very things we encourage clients to do. Take breaks, take one step at a time, focus on one goal at a time, and lean into my community and support. Today I’m in a different place in life, staying faithful in consoling myself, reminding myself of what I bring to the table, praying to a higher power greater than myself, and inviting others in to help me along the way.  

A final note

If you are a survivor leader in the workplace, I want to thank you. Your compassion, courage, and voice are essential. However, please remember that your worth is not tied to what you can and do for others, and your healing is just as important and valuable as the people you are supporting. This work is heavy because these women matter. But in order to do this work, we must look inwards and make sure it doesn’t come at our own cost. You deserve the same grace, gentleness, safety, and autonomy you fight so fiercely to create for these women.