
Texas First Lady Cecilia Abbott has called upon the faith-based community to join in the fifth annual Week of Prayer to End Human Trafficking. The event, part of the Governor's Response Against Child Exploitation (GRACE) initiative, took place from yesterday through Sunday, January 12. It coincided with Human Trafficking Prevention Month in Texas, aiming to unite people of all faiths to inspire hope for survivors, raise awareness, and support anti-trafficking efforts, as announced in a statement acquired by gov.texas.gov.
"During this Week of Prayer to End Human Trafficking, Texans of every faith will come together to generate hope and healing for survivors of human trafficking," First Lady Abbott said, as noted by gov.texas.gov. Detailing the program, she encourages Texans to fully commit themselves to the initiative's efforts to provide support and work collectively to combat this crime. GRACE is set to officially launch the week with a virtual interfaith event featuring key speakers, aiming to to firmly establish a widespread network of advocacy and support.
Throughout this dedicated week, different prayer intentions are assigned to each day, ranging from reducing the demand for human trafficking, to recognizing its signs, to advocating for justice for victims. First Lady Abbott has endorsed these intentions, each focusing on various aspects of combatting trafficking, as a guide for the community's thoughts and actions.
First launching in 2019, GRACE has brought together leaders from various faiths as well as officials from the Governor's Child Sex Trafficking Team and the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS). This collaboration aims to develop and implement strategies that effectively put an end to human trafficking. In January, Governor Abbott made a proclamation, officially declaring the month to be one of awareness for human trafficking prevention, as further outlined in the official state announcement. Participants are also being encouraged to visibly show their support by wearing blue on Saturday, for the National Day of Human Trafficking Awareness.
The issue of human trafficking has been met with a multifaceted response, including leadership from survivors themselves. Individuals like Amanda Garza, Toni McKinley, and Sara Nellis are not only driving the conversation but also providing daily prayer intentions and contributing to the strategic advancement of anti-trafficking measures in Texas