Recognizing Coercion: Beyond the P. Diddy Trafficking Case – Ep. 83

David and Dawn from Elijah Rising discuss the P. Diddy trafficking case and use it to examine how coercion works in sex trafficking. They share insights from their frontline experience about:

How traffickers use psychological manipulation
Why victims often don’t recognize they’re being trafficked
The role of drugs and blackmail in trafficking
How the music industry and culture can normalize exploitation
Why “they wanted to be there” isn’t a valid defense

Join us for this important conversation that goes beyond the headlines to understand the complex reality of sex trafficking. Learn how to recognize the signs and help prevent exploitation in your community. #AntiTrafficking #HumanTrafficking #Awareness #Houston #ElijahRising

Spotify »

iTunes »

Make A Donation »

awareness

Previous PostPrayer as a Catalyst for Justice and Action – Ep. 82Next PostRecapping This Year (2024) at Elijah Rising – Ep. 84

The Addiction No One is Talking About: SLAA – with Jessica Gobble and Bri McCarthy – Ep. 89

December 16, 2025Podcast

We're familiar with the importance of physical freedom for survivors of trafficking, but what happens when they are still trapped by invisible addiction? Join host Micah Gamboa and Elijah Rising's recovery specialists Jessica Gobble and Bri McCarthy as they explore a critical yet rarely discussed aspect of survivor care: SLAA. This groundbreaking conversation reveals why addressing intimacy-related trauma is essential...

Angela Williams: Trafficked in Houston, Now Fighting Back – Ep. 88

October 21, 2025Podcast

Human trafficking happens closer to home than most people realize—often through those we trust most. Angela Williams shares her powerful testimony of surviving commercial sexual exploitation in Houston, from her first exposure at age 12 to her miraculous extraction eight years ago. Now an advocate working directly with law enforcement and at-risk youth, Angela offers raw insights into the realities...

Protecting Our Children: How Churches Can Combat the Demand for Human Trafficking with Phuong Marquez from Demand Disruption – Ep. 87

October 21, 2025Podcast

Did you know that the average age of exposure to pornography is just nine years old? Join us as we dive deep into one of the most critical conversations facing families and faith communities today. Micah sits down with Phuong, Associate Director at Demand Disruption, to discuss how churches and parents can protect children from exploitation and break the cycle...

The New Face of Exploitation: How OnlyFans Culture Is Targeting Our Youth

April 22, 2025Articles, Understanding the Commercial Sex Industry

In a world where social media constantly evolves, parents face a growing challenge: the normalization of online sexual exploitation through platforms like OnlyFans. What began as a subscription-based content service has morphed into a thriving adult industry that’s increasingly targeting younger demographics. The lines between innocent content creation and exploitation have never been more blurred, placing our children at unprecedented...

Behind the Scenes of a Van Tour: Witnessing the Reality of Sex Trafficking in Houston

March 3, 2025Articles, Human Trafficking Awareness

When I first stepped onto the Elijah Rising van, I had no idea how profoundly the experience would change my perspective on Houston—a city I thought I knew well. Like many Houstonians, I had driven past countless massage parlors, cantinas, and strip clubs without fully comprehending what might be happening behind their doors. The Origin Story of Elijah Rising’s Van...

Understanding Sex Trafficking: What It Is and How to Recognize It

February 24, 2025Articles, Human Trafficking Awareness

Sex trafficking is a devastating form of modern slavery that affects hundreds of thousands of people in the United States alone. As a pervasive issue in cities across America, including major hubs like Houston, understanding what sex trafficking is and how to recognize it can help save lives. What Is Sex Trafficking? Sex trafficking involves the commercial sexual exploitation of...