New Exhibition at TAMIU Educates Visitors About Human Trafficking, Offers Resources, Ends Nov. 11
An original exhibition produced by the Bullock Texas State History Museum is now on view at Texas A&M International University’s (TAMIU) Academic Innovation Center (AIC) main entrance lobby. It continues through Saturday, Nov. 11, 2023.
Not Alone: Working Together in the Fight Against Human Trafficking provides visitors with the tools to identify human trafficking and the resources to find help and support survivors. It is hosted by the College of Arts and Sciences, department of Psychology and Communication.
Although underreported, recent statistics suggest there are hundreds of thousands of people being trafficked in Texas at any given time. Geared toward teens and adults and presented in both English and Spanish, the exhibition seeks to prevent further exploitation of vulnerable individuals in the state.
Not Alone centers on a series of questions that guide visitors to understand what human trafficking is, who can be a target, the tools and techniques traffickers use to target individuals and keep them captive, and the roles healthy relationships and social media play in tracking. In each exhibition section, a QR code allows visitors to view original videos featuring survivors and advocates who answer the exhibition's guiding questions.
“Inspired by the governor’s initiative against human trafficking, we recognized an opportunity to use our platform as an educational institution," said Bullock Museum director Margaret Koch, "We hope this exhibition inspires everyone to understand that as individuals we are not powerless to assist in the prevention of human trafficking. One person can make a difference."
TAMIU associate professor of Psychology and Criminal Justice, Dr. Kate A. Houston, said the Not Alone exhibit is a powerful experience.
“It is a privilege to bring the Bullock Museum’s innovative exhibit to our TAMIU Community, and I want to thank all the faculty and staff who have worked so hard to make this happen. The power of this exhibit is that it places voices from the victims of human trafficking at the center of the conversation. I encourage all members of our TAMIU Community and the community at large to come to the AIC and engage with the exhibit while it’s here,” Dr. Houston observed.
Information is also available on the University’s website, tamiu.edu, and social channels on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, Threads, Twitter, and YouTube.
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Not Alone: Working Together in the Fight Against Human Trafficking is produced by the Bullock Texas State History Museum.
Lead Sponsorship by Nancy Ann and Ray L. Hunt.
Major funding from the Texas Bar Foundation. Major support is provided by the Texas Trucking Association.
Special thanks to Scopelitis, Garvin, Light, Hanson & Feary P.C., and Mondics Insurance Group, Inc.
The Bullock Texas State History Museum is a division of the State Preservation Board. Additional support for exhibitions and programs is provided by the Texas State History Museum Foundation.
