Safety
Bullying
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Texas defines bullying as any written, verbal or physical act that physically harms a student or damages a student’s property, or that creates an intimidating, threatening or abusive educational environment. To learn more, visit Texas Education Code 37.0832
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Two of the main reasons people are bullied are because of their appearance and social status. Bullies pick on people they think do not fit in such as how they look, how they act, their race or religion, or because bullies think their target may be LGBTQ+
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To learn more about what bullying is (including cyberbullying), who is at risk, how to prevent it, how to respond to it and how to get help, click here
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Higher suicide behaviors are among youth involved with bullying. To find out more about how to prevent suicide go to Lifeline for more information
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Teens who may be involved in an abusive relationship or have a friend that is a victim can contact love is respect.
Contact is open 24/7
Phone: 1-866-331-9474
Chat online: here
Text: loveis to 22522
For more information about dating violence, visit these sights below:
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LGBTQ National Hotline: 1-800-246-7743
Sexual orientation and gender are important aspects of a young person’s identity. Expressing and exploring gender identity and roles is also a part of normal development. The process of understanding and expressing one’s sexual orientation and gender identity is unique to each individual.
For more information on counselors and help finding answers and information, visit: The Trevor Project | For Young LGBTQ Lives
Texas Gay Straight Alliance Network is a statewide program that unites school-based Gay Straight Alliance (GSA) student clubs to one another through peer support, leadership development and training. The Texas GSA Network supports young people in starting, strengthening, and sustaining GSAs and builds their capacity to:
Create safe environments in schools for students to support each other and learn about homophobia and other oppressions
Educate their school community about homophobia, gender identity and sexual orientation issues
Fight discrimination, harassment, and violence in schools
Human Trafficking
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Human trafficking is a form of modern-day slavery where people profit by controlling and exploiting others. Youth coming out of the foster care system are especially vulnerable to traffickers who lure them with the promise of food, warmth, and even false love.
Once youth are lured they can get caught in a horrible cycle of exploitation and abuse. They are sold for the highest price, and their dignity and sense of self are destroyed. The three main issues of human trafficking are: forced labor, sexual exploitation, and prostitution.
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Call The National Human Trafficking Hotline: 1-888-373-7888, or Text BeFREE (233733)
If you are a victim or suspect that someone else is a victim of human trafficking, it is important to find help by contacting the Human Trafficking Hotline.
The free hotline is available to answer calls and texts from anywhere in the country, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, every day of the year.
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Sex trafficking involves children or adults being controlled and sold to others for sex against their will. Victims of sex trafficking are forced to work in the commercial sex trade against their will.
Physical and emotional violence is a large part of this industry, which preys on vulnerable individuals. To keep them working, victims are threatened, lied to, and beaten by traffickers and pimps, who control their money.
Age 12-14: The average age range of girl that first sexually exploited in the commercial sex industry in the U.S.
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Watch videos featuring real-life stories shared by actual teens who have experienced victimization firsthand.
Real-Life Stories - Amy’s Choice
Hear the true story of a 15-year-old girl who left home to meet in person with a man she first “met” online.
Real-Life Stories - Survivor Diaries
Ryan and Noah share their stories to show that online victimization can happen to boys too
Real-Life Stories - Julie’s Journey
Julie talks about when she left home for three weeks with a convicted murderer she had developed a relationship with online
Real-Life Stories - 6 degrees of information
Teens find out how much information an internet researcher is able to find out about them online.
Once you send a photo online, there’s no way to control it. It’s out of your hands.
Sexting between minors is both a federal and state offense, this includes distribution.
Please seek legal help if you are effected by any of these.